My interest in churches is both theological and aesthetic.  Two years of my life were spent as a Navy Chaplain, and following that tour of duty I was a pastor of two churches for thirty-two more years.  In addition, churches are almost always artistically interesting.

Consciously---and undoubtedly subconsciously---I am drawn to them as subjects when I travel.  The following little collection of sketches runs the gamut from one of the greatest and oldest churches in Christendom, to exceedingly humble, simple structures.

         
HALSTATT, AUSTRIA

We followed the recommendation of a famous travel writer and visited this incredibly picturesque town on a beautiful lake in Austria.  Halstatt became famous for its surrounding salt mines.  It remains famous because of tourism.  A Protestant and a Catholic church dominate the skyline. 

       
HAGIA APOSTOLI OF SOLARIS CHURCH, ATHENS

This eleventh or twelfth century Greek orthodox church sits at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens on the grounds of the Agora.  It is a little jewel of a building, similar to the architecture of many other orthodox churches in Greece. 

      
MILLER CHAPEL, PRINCETON SEMINARY

My wife and I met at Princeton Seminary---an incredibly romantic story beyond the scope of this website!  We worshiped here regularly while attending Princeton Theological Seminary in preparation for the ministry.  The imposing brownstone building behind it is Stuart Hall, site of many of our academic classrooms.

      
ST. PHILLIP'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHARLESTON, S.C.

This old church with its imposing steeple has been the subject of too many paintings to number.  The old Dock Street Theatre is at the left, and the Huguenot Church to the extreme right.  Unhappily, squadrons of gnats attacked me while I was doing this sketch.

      
FLAGLER MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL

Flagler built railroads to Miami that led to the development of Florida's eastern seaboard.  His wonderful hotels in St. Augustine dominate the skyline of this charming city.  I suspect this imposing church was built with Flagler money.

     
CHAPEL OF THE TRANSFIGURATION, GRAND TETONS, WYOMING

The chancel of this little log chapel has a huge plate glass window overlooking the Rockies in Teton National Park.  I pity any preacher who must compete with that sight for attention!  While I did this sketch, a wedding took place from start to finish---nervous bride entering---happy couple emerging.

     
HAGIA SOPHIA, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Built in the sixth century by the Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) was the largest church in Christendom for centuries.  Later converted to a mosque, it is now a museum.  The great "dome on pendentives" was an architectural marvel of the ancient world. The equally famous "Blue Mosque" of later years was to my back, and painted earlier in the day.

      
PLAZA AND UNIVERSITY CHURCH, SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

I sat in a square in Salzburg to do this sketch.  In the foreground, merely suggested by simple splashes of color, is the thriving market.  To the right is the imposing chancel of the University Church, an ornate structure providing dignified contrast to the simple market scene.

       
CHRIST'S CHURCH, FEDERICA, GEORGIA

This little Episcopal church is smaller than the sketch would suggest.  When I view this painting, I can feel the breezes blowing the Spanish moss, and smell the pungent odor of humid vegetation on a hot summer's day on Saint Simon's Island. The real joy of such painting is in the ability of the sketch to bring to mind the complete atmosphere of that moment.

    
PARISH CHURCH, UNTERSEEN, SWITZERLAND

I searched for a view of this church against the backdrop of the mighty Jungfrau.  The only good view was from a cemetery.  I only hope I did not offend any sensibilities in choosing this spot to do my sketch.  I confess that this painting is one of my favorites.

     
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, KAILUA KONA, HAWAII

I understand that this was the first church in the Hawaiian Islands.  The exterior betrays the New England roots of the missionaries who established the church.  The interior is constructed of beautiful local woods.  The sea is to my back, and my wife watched local fishermen pull in fish while I was painting.  I can hear the surf!

"LITTLE ENGLAND" CHAPEL, HAMPTON, VIRGINIA

This chapel was built for African Americans by a local white citizen in the early days of segregation.  It is now a national historic site. I was teaching a class in outdoor watercolor painting to a local group---and did this sketch quickly before they arrived for the class.  It took no more than an hour to complete.

   
ROADSIDE CHAPEL, HAWAII

This little chapel was located beside a lovely bay on the island of Hawaii.  Windows looked out over the bay, and certainly provided a distraction for the worshipers!  I parked by the side of the road and did this hour sketch from the inside of the car, undoubtedly turning on the air conditioning from time to time.

COMMUNITY CHURCH, SURREY, VIRGINIA

While my wife did a little pencil sketch, I painted this interesting structure in the small town of Surrey, across the James River from the historic site of Jamestown.  I was especially attracted to the interesting bell tower that jutted out from the front of the church.

   
METHODIST CHURCH, WILLIAMSTOWN, VERMONT

Typically New England, the buildings from left to right are the town hall, the historical society, and the Methodist Church.  In the center is a monument honoring the war dead of Williamstown.  

  
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, BROOKFIELD, VERMONT

My wife and I have such pleasant memories of this place.  We were obviously visitors as we worshiped with a very small congregation on a warm summer Sunday.  Members greeted us warmly following the service and insisted that we attend the church picnic following worship.  We did---and it was great fun meeting these very hospitable Vermont folk.