West Union is the county seat of Fayette County, and thus has a larger amount of large houses that you would expect in such a town. Many are well-preserved or restored, including this rare shingle-style house below. The main square… Continue Reading
Oelwein still bustles because of a heavy railroad presence, and its location at the intersection of two highways. Its downtown is perhaps a bit smaller than others, as there are extensive suburban-style businesses located over on Highway 150. Still, there… Continue Reading
I could have sworn I photographed this church back in the summer of 2014, when I passed by on Taylor Avenue. Apparently I did not, but I was impressed with the giant arches of this Romanesque Revival edifice at the… Continue Reading
I came back to see this church in the fall, after the snow had made photography difficult last winter. It is a beautiful church, and an example of the many German Lutheran churches that once existed throughout the city. Those… Continue Reading
This first photo shows the old Grace Lutheran Church in happier times, back in December of 2013. That was back before kids starting breaking in and vandalizing the church. Based off of arrests, it was not children from the neighborhood,… Continue Reading
I know many of my readers are not thrilled with the current owners of St. Liborius, but I do want everyone to consider what happens to buildings with huge maintenance expenses that are abandoned. Taken for example the rectory, which… Continue Reading
The Basilica of Great Saint Lawrence is one of the most important churches in the world you’ve never heard of. It sits across what is now a plaza, but was once crowded with houses, from the Colonnade of St. Lawrence.… Continue Reading
Milan is a very crowded city, with very little space. So when it came time to build a new church, St. Mary Near (or as I translate presso, up against) St. Satirus, the architects needed to be creative. St. Satirus… Continue Reading
Located on the southwestern edge of the historic core of Milan, the Basilica of Saint Ambrose has foundations that go back to one of the Four Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church, St. Ambrose himself. That church is long gone,… Continue Reading
Walnut Park is one of those neighborhoods of the city where I am hesitant to post pictures where there is the chance of giving the wrong impression. The area struggles with crime, and has a tragically high murder rate. There… Continue Reading