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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Steeple Sunday: St. Michael's Episcopal Church

Today's steeple is a little jewel we found at the end of a residential street.
Thank goodness my hubby is thoroughly enjoying our 'steeple chase' as he calls it. He drives me to some of the nicest places. He thought he remembered a church at the end of Canterbury Road so off we went and look what we found.

St. Michael's has the most amazing roof lines. We aren't sure if the roofing is slate but it certainly look appears to be and let me tell you there is a lot of slate on this roof.
St. Michael's was established as a mission church in 1950 by parishioners from 3 churches in downtown Raleigh. The first service of the church was on May 6, 1950 in the Chapel of St. Mary's College. Parishioners began 'work weekends for St. Michael's' clearing land around two donated World War II barracks which would become the first church buildings. They were painted red and known as "The Little Red Church in the Woods'.


The first service in the Little Red Church was on September 10, 1950.
Work on the new building continued on Christmas Eve 1955 the first service was held in the new nave.
Since the first day of service St. Michael's has grown. It still sits partially in the woods thanks to the planning of the early parishioners it was set back from the road and it is
surrounded by beautiful gardens, flowers and nature.

I found the steeple quite different from all that I have posted so far.

This is the view from the parking lot of the lovely welcoming entrance to
St. Michael's. Today this door welcomes close to 1100 members. Currently they have another project underway. In about a year, they will have pipe organ infrastructure built which they hope will house a new pipe organ.
Thanks to my hubby for remembering this lovely church and taking me on yet another grand 'steeple chase' what a great driver I have.
Note from Mom: Thank you to everyone for your very kind comments about 'Steeple Sunday'.
I've always been intrigued by steeples. I'm thrilled and honored that you all are enjoying reading about them as much as I'm enjoying taking the pictures and writing about them. I took for granted that all cities have as many beautiful Steeples as we do in Raleigh. Evidently that is not the case.

If you love beautiful doors, click on this The Door Hunter
This is the other blog of our friend Cat she lives in Prague, Czech Republic.
She loves to wander the streets of Prague looking for beautiful doors.
She is also Mom to the famous felines, Lautrec and Tiny.

28 comments:

  1. A lovely setting for a church and cute little steeple! Mom used to attend a little church surrounded by trees!

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  2. Yes! I love your posts about steeples!
    Happy Sunday!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  3. You have a sweet husband Cecilia!...kisses to beautiful Madi...xo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

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  4. I love also always your sunday posts :-)
    Thanks for sharing this beauty
    so wonderful architecture !!!
    Very sweet from your husband ;)
    Maybe he will also start a blog haha

    Enjoy your sunday
    :))

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  5. Another great find! We are enjoying your Sunday posts and are becoming quite educated.
    Thanks for taking the time to share your finds with us.
    Have a great Sunday
    love
    Martha and Bailey xxx

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  6. Wow, another nice steeple that your pawrents found. Keep posting Madi, it's so interesting!
    Cheers!

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  7. Cecilia, we've enjoyed your "Steeple Chase"!!
    How very modern today's church is, even though it's 60 years old! Such a pretty natural background!
    Kathy

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  8. Blog Mom says that this is exactly the kind of thing she hated when she was younger. The modern kind of architecture for churches, she means. Now, however, that was so long ago this one looks classic. Time changes perceptions, I suppose.

    wags, Lola

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  9. Another great Steeple Sunday! Thank you for sharing. Isn't it funny how there are so many things we just take for granted that are all around us. I hope you are having a fun weekend. The gang is still enjoying all the gifts! Thanks again! Keep brushing Madi, I have 4 bags so far, we are getting there....takes so much longer with shorter haired animals.

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  10. I likes that your husband-man calls it a Steeple Chase. He's pretty funny, huh? Did you know that my mom is now starting to look at the steeples on churches around here? And all cuz of you!

    Do you thinks that steeple was a little different cuz it was built in the 50s? Mom says that prolly woulda been very "modern" back then.

    Wiggles & Wags,
    Mayzie

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  11. I'm enjoying Steeple Sunday. Very interesting and cool.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  12. That is a modern looking steeple, almost Frank Lloyd Wright? - straight and simple.
    I love the Steeple Chase reference.
    How long before you have to branch out to surrounding towns?

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  13. I too love the name "Steeple Chase" Sure looks like a beautiful place to worship!

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  14. How neat Cecilia! I'm glad that you and Bryan are enjoying your steeples chases each weekend - we're certainly enjoying them at this end! :o)

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  15. This is such a fun thing! I'm enjoying the steeples vey much, coming from the Chicago area there were TONS of old churches ot visit. Here in Las Vegas, not so much. The area is just too new for any fine old architecture.
    KatMom Trish

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  16. Hi Madi and C,
    I don't think I have said how much I enjoy your Steeple Chase but I do and I should have said so!! Todays church is very modern in appearance.
    Thank your Hubby for finding it and thank you for the very nice pictures.
    Tom and I always spend a lot of time together Saturday evening and most all day on Sunday. I don't really mind that he is going to work. I am use to it. He is the boss and he is the one who makes the decission to work.
    Enjoy tomorrow!!!
    XXOO, Bambi & Fern

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  17. What a wonderful post!!!!!!!

    Happy Sunday to you, Madi, Mom and Dad. xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  18. Happy Steeples Day! I like the simplicity of the one featured here.

    --BB

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  19. This is a nice understanded steeple...but I do like those fancy ones!!!

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  20. I love these posts as well. You can tell that is a 1950s church can't you!!

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  21. Thanks so much for stopping by and wishing Saylor a Happy Purrthday! We have entered you in our giveaway!

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  22. Another beautiful Steeple Chase Sunday!!

    Smileys and Snuggles!
    The Mama, Dory, Bilbo & Jacob

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  23. You did such justice to this beautiful church.

    We thought we would let you know that the photo we used yesterday in our CLOUDS posting was taken at my Grandmother's funeral. It is one of my all time favorites. I cannot believe the way the light goes up into the heavens.

    Abby's Mom Debra

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  24. I love reading about them too. I think we humans get so wrapped up in the everyday things we forget to notice the beauty around us and this is a great reminder. Thanks for taking the time to research and put these posts together.
    Snuggles,
    Twix and Mom

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  25. What an interesting roof line that church has!! Thanks for sharing all the steeples with us!!

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  26. I hope you like the book! Let me know what you think. :)

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  27. I am definitely enjoying your Steeple Sundays. I think probably many of us have a variety in our own areas but we haven't really noticed them. I have paid more attention to the churches in our town since you started this series.

    This one is very modern looking, I really like the design of the steeple.

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  28. Not the kind of steeple chase I think of...lol...horses you know.

    Wonder what the little black things are?

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Life is short, spend it with those who make you laugh
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” (Leo F. Buscaglia)
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Cecilia and Angel Madi
Email: candb214@att.net