Bryn Mawr Historic District [Edgewater Presbyterian Church]

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Old St. Patrick's Church

Posted on 9:08 AM by babli panday

Old St. Patrick's Church..
Completed: 1856
Architects: Two of Chicago’s earliest practicing architects Augustus Bauer and Asher Carter..
Location: 700 West Adams Street..
Chicago, IL 60661..

Founded by Irish immigrants in 1846, Old St. Patrck's is the first English-speaking parish in the city. It is one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Its survival makes it the oldest public building in the City of Chicago.
Today, Old St. Patrick's is known for hosting an annual summer block party, which it said to be the "world's largest" [very controversial claim]..

Stained Glass Windows..
It's website informs [click here]..
Inspired by the Celtic art exhibit at the Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the Book of Kells in Ireland, Thomas A. O’Shaughnessy designed, constructed, and personally installed the 15 beautiful stained-glass windows of Old St. Patrick’s between 1912 and 1922. The 12 side windows were inspired by the Celtic designs of Ireland's Book of Kells. The final triptych windows, done in an art nouveau style and installed in the eastern facade of the church, are the “Faith, Hope & Charity” windows, also known as the Terrence MacSwiney Memorial Triptych. In 1977, Old St. Patrick's was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Terrence MacSwiney Memorial Triptych..
“Faith, Hope & Charity” windows - by Thomas A. O’Shaughnessy..

"Hope" stained glass window, by Thomas A. O’Shaughnessy.. Below are some details of this beautiful art nouveau style window..

Old St. Patrick's Church..

Just across the road from the church is the Heritage Green Park. It has this sculpture "Grainne", by Maurice Harron..

"Grainne", by Maurice Harron..
A Gift from the City of Galway, Ireland; to the Sister City of Chicago..

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Monday, August 22, 2011

New York City: Brooklyn Bridge

Posted on 10:23 AM by babli panday

The Brooklyn Bridge plaque..

Brooklyn Bridge "National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark" plaque..

The Brooklyn Bridge, 1867 - 1883..
Inscription...
The Brooklyn Bridge, the largest suspension bridge in the world at the time it was built, was the first to span the East River. Designed and constructed by John A. Roebling and his son, Washington A. Roebling, the bridge spans 3,461 feet and rises 133 feet from the river below. The steel cablework, strung across two monumental stone towers, is fixed at both ends in stone anchorages. The Brooklyn Bridge, a structure of beauty, was a milestone in the history of American Engineering.
Erected 1991 by New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation..

1977 The Career Wheels..
Inscribed..
For the cable spinning, wire was looped around a carrier wheel hung from the traveler and pulled across the river from Brooklyn to New York. The system, driven by steam engines, worked like a conveyor belt. Over 14, 000 miles of wire were used in cables.

Inscribed..
Section of cable 15 3/4 inches thick. 19 strands per cable.
Each anchor plate weighs 28 tons. Eighteen eyebars radiate up from it's base.

Finis Coronat Opus..
Latin for "The Finish Crowns the Work"..
[commemorates the opening of the bridge linking the cities of New York and Brooklyn in 1883]

Inscribed..
May 24, 1883..
A Union of Hearts and a Union of Hands..
Finis Coronat Opus, "The Finish Crows the work", commemorates the opening of the bridge linking the cities of New York and Brooklyn in 1883. After thirteen years of innovative and courageous effort the exeultation was appropiate. In the years following the Civil War this image of success must have been especially poignant and expressive of both spiritual recovery and technological growth. The two cities clasping hands suggests the final consolidation of New York and Brooklyn with the other boroughs in 1898.

Yes reached the other side, with "Welcome to Brooklyn" sign..

The bridge is apparently a "No Salt Zone"..

Crossing Brooklyn Bridge was one of the high points of my New York trip.
It was June 26, 2011..
Took approx 30 minutes..
stopping at various points, to enjoy the view!