[Magdalen] Hidden Gems.

[James Oppenheimer-Crawford]

"Christ and Saint Luke's" -- What a charming name for a parish.  Also, I
note that head musician Ken Kwan is only the fifth organist they've had at
Ch & L since 1889.  He's also been in several very, very prestigious
positions.

They've got a Jungian therapist on staff, and they are proud that their
sexton has been there for 25 years, and also coaches a local basketball
team.  I get good vibes.

They refer to selves as Episcopal and also as Anglican.  They say they like
respectful conversation with all points of view.  No mention of gays, but
one cannot have everything.

James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
*“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved,
except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy

On Tue, Jun 21, 2016 at 11:58 AM, Cantor03--- via Magdalen <
magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:

>
>
> The back pages, especially, of the monthly "The American Organist"  are
> fun to read, because events taking place in a wide variety of church
> locales are chronicled on those pages, and there are lots of pictures
> of these events.
>
> Shown in those pictures are sometimes ravishing church structures
> that are little known out of their own neighborhoods.  There were  two
> churches, both Episcopal, that caught my eye this month.
>
> They are:
>
> (1) Christ and Saint Luke's, Norfolk, VA
>
> and
>
> (2) Saint Paul's, Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia Area).
>
> Both are large Episcopal churches with huge pipe organ installations  and
> a very active music ministry.  There are other activities that lead me  to
> believe they are very active and vital congregations.
>
> They both are gothic revival (of course!) with large and impressive
> wooden (St. Paul's) and stone (Christ & St. Luke's) rererdoses  and
> acres of quality stained glass.
>
> My only complaint is that their high altars seem to function only as
> a large shelf for flowers.  The smaller, freestanding altars get all  the
> action.
>
> These congregations need to be more well known.  I've been in  both
> Norfolk and Philadelphia many times, and didn't know about these  locales.
>
>
> David Strang.
>