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1936. "Church, Southeastern U.S., probably Alabama or Tennessee." 8x10 safety negative by Walker Evans for the Farm Security Administration. View full size.
A follow-up:
My friend Dr. John Sasser (http://www2.eos.net/jsasser/) noted this in reference to the cornerstone, and church name:
"The African Methodist Episcopal Church, with the "cross +" between the M and E, i.e., M+E has a very exciting history that is embedded in African tradition, i.e., voodoo, folk-lore or whatever you wish to call it...."
(this cross example may) "...fit with some African-based religious practices that have been labeled voodoo are (in fact) biblical."
[Or it could be a bit of bracing on the back of the cross that's come loose. - Dave]
Thank you Mike. I love the collaborative effect this site has in broadening my knowledge.
And thank you Dave, for my absolute favourite site!
My first impression is that the small upright remembers the Thief on the Right at the crucifixion. Remember? The thief on the left scoffed at Jesus and blamed others for all that had happened to him,almost demanding that Jesus save him on his own terms.
The thief on the right admitted his guilt and simply asked Jesus to remember him.
The Orthodox Church’s cross has an additional shorter piece above the main crosspiece,and at the bottom is a smaller slanted piece. The upper piece represents the sign placed above Jesus’ head (on the Orthodox cross). And the lower piece slants toward the right as a reminder of the thief on the right.
Mike
Could you also employ your ultra-flux-capacitor, U236, turbo-rastermatic, Fireball, perma-firm, sofa-wide powers to explain . . .
Okay, so it aint funny and I caint spell aint.
Still, your scans are the best and your site(s) are my favorite(s) on the web. Keep up the good work.
Foy Blackmon
Las Vegas
What is that thing on the middle cross. It doesn't look like a bird. Dave, can you use your super enhancing powers? Go go gadget magnifier?
[Ta-da. - Dave]
I don't know that I've ever seen a church quite this style in the South -- the wood looks added on to a secular building of some kind. The three crosses are interesting, and the one in the center is crooked--and is that a bird perched on it? There's also no signage over the doors, which is odd. Fascinating building, clearly cobbled together.
[Look again. There is a sign. Plus a cornerstone. - Dave]
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