Sonatas XII

Pieces of the Present Abide - The Life of the Place (Faith)

Words by Khaetidawne and Brendan Quirk

Churches are plentiful and often quite attractive in our Place. As they call out for an exhaustive study of their own, I have only included a few views as a bit of a sampler. The noticeable churches tend to be late 19th and early 20th century, but more modest later churches are also common, albeit easily overlooked. There really are no visible signs of a faith tradition other than Christian varieties, mostly Catholic and Lutheran. This is reflective of the fairly homogenous local population of mostly Northern European descent.

Sonatas XII-71 (Faith)	Sonatas XII-72 (Faith)
A Lutheran church in its time; A cross on the top of the steeple to shine. A light to guide people toward the divine - This church was built in 1899.	Stained-glass windows with colors and pictures have always been found In churches and cathedrals, to inspire folks in towns All across Europe, and in other countries and places - Where we gather to worship, with love of all, to live the three graces.
Sonatas XII-73 (Faith)	Sonatas XII-74 (Faith)
A lovely day to be visiting beneath all the trees - Below puffy clouds blowing in the sky’s gentle breeze Over the quiet cemetery beside Emanuel’s church; Where people rest peacefully after life’s bounties and daily work.	A simple church is St. Mary’s, made of bricks and of wood Not a church now, but a family home for people loving and good. Schools and churches across the land now are being into houses turned How nice to live in places where hymns were sung and children once learned.
Sonatas XII-75 (Faith)	Sonatas XII-76 (Faith)
The front of St. Mary’s, now a family home; Where a camper sits waiting for places to roam. Weekends were once for gathering and community works It’s somehow sad knowing fewer folks now go to church.	How fancy! Lomira’s church is built of beautiful stone This St. Mary’s congregation has flourished and grown. Its steeple seems to glow brightly up in the sky Calling people to worship when they hear the bell’s cry!
Sonatas XII-77 (Faith)	Sonatas XII-78 (Faith)
The front of St. Mary’s is truly an elegant sight - With its great doors, stained-glass, its steeple of impressive height. It boasts a rose window above; and at each side of the doors Are stained-glass windows, with holy pictures teaching of The Lord even more.	This mid-century church’s design old styles addresses - With simplified features and modern flying buttresses. The lovely stained-glass windows welcome all of the people As do the crosses on top - and just look at the steeple!
Sonatas XII-79 (Faith)
St. Francis standing in the snow On a path where children go. Religion is visible indeed Here people pray for those in need.