One that didn't make the cut...

This photo looking towards the church didn't make it on to my slideshow of our walk around Chedigny so thought I'd give it an airing here.

Church of Saint Martin, Aubigny-sur-Nere

Church on Sunday...the Romanesque church of Saint-Nicolas in Moncontour in the Vienne

Today we visit the Romanesque church of Saint-Nicolas in Moncontour in the Vienne. The church dates back to the 12^th century. It was annexed by the nearby Abbey of Saint Jouin de Marnes (four km to the west). 

The western façade still has the original 12th century portal

The arched nave which probably originally featured frescos was given a makeover during the 19th century. It is pierced with twelve semicircular windows.

The choir ends with a semicircular apse.

The two side chapels.

The church was rebuilt in the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries resulting in the loss of its transept.

Its Romanesque features are best appreciated on the north side of the church where you can see the remnants of some. corbels.

Where's Joan? Although not always featured within churches in the Vienne she stands proudly in one of the side chapels.

Church on Sunday...St.Columbus,Ayr,Scotland

Church on Sunday...Saint Denis,Amboise...

The Collegiate church of Saint Denis in Amboise

*Much better photographs than mine can be viewed here

Church on Sunday...St. Martin,Mosnes

The church of St.Martin in Mosnes, a small town on the banks of the Loire midway between Amboise and Chaumont-sur-Loire is unremarkable when viewed from the front. To get any real sense of its history you have to venture around the back..

Here you will get a glimpse of its 12th century Romanesque origins,with the its original asp and the lower part of the bell tower. The top of the tower dates from the 18th century when repairs were made after a lighting strike.

The current appearance of the church owes much to restorations made during the second half of the 19th century. There is a slight homage to its origins in the detail around the entrance.

Inside is certainly more appealing than the outside with its vaulted nave letting you think you are in a building of a more grandeur appearance.

Loved this curved bench within the choir of the church.

The side chapels which were an earlier addition to the original Romanesque church date from the sixteenth century.

The stained glass windows of the church are by the 'Fournier' factory of Tours.

Where's Joan?

Here she is on her pedestal.

The less than attractive view of the external 19th century extensions.

Church on Sunday...Niagara Falls

For today's church I'm taking you back to our visit to Niagara Falls. There was this interesting church near where we stayed.It is called 'St. Mary's - Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church' , a bit of a mouthful but I'm sure St. Mary 's suffices. 

We never got to see the inside but knew it must be interesting and as the photographs from the church's website below show, we weren't wrong.

The parish of the church dates back to 1951 when Ukrainians who had come to Canada after the war (WWII) used a nearby hall to have their church services. It would be 1988 before this splendid building would be built from donations from church members. The people wanted more than just a place of worship but something that would be an example of their heritage.Apparently there were no nails used in its construction.

The ornate carvings  make a great backdrop,would have loved to have seen them up-close...maybe next time.

Church on Sunday...Christian Baptist Church,Newmarket,Ontario

Today we visit another church in Ontario Canada. This time in the town of Newmarket to the north of the city of Toronto. The Christian Baptist Church has had a presence here since 1822,the church we see today is the third church on the site,built in 1874 in a Gothic revival style,complete with fake buttresses.

 

The tower, with its large polygonal steeple, is centred in its Latin cross plan 

Its exterior was originally brickwork but covered in stucco,circa 1900.

 

It has a lovely interior with ornate roof trusses.

Above the main entrance is this fresco.

 

 Stained glass features on every wall of the church in a variety of window designs.

 

The church describes itself as "every bride's dream! A long isle and sloped sanctuary gives everyone a great view. With seating for over 200 people"...would have to agree that it would be a lovely place to get married.