{Here’s the 25th “essay” suggested by photos of church sanctuaries, pictures I’ve taken over the years and over the miles. This writing exercise is my Lenten discipline for 2021. Sure beats the forty coffee mugs I wrote about a few years ago, huh?}

Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church was constructed in 1977 in Johnson City, NY. Since I had written about Helsinki’s “Rock Church” yesterday, I thought writing about the local church casually referred to as “the wooden church” would be an appropriate follow-up. This particular church is so stunning I have to show more than one view.

According to the church’s website, the first Ukrainian immigrants in the Binghamton, NY area were young girls who worked in the cigar factories at the turn of the 20th century. No doubt another draw for immigrants were the Endicott Johnson Shoe factories. The churches in this area of upstate New York still reflect a rich variety of architectural styles that add gold domes and stone towers to the skylines of the Southern Tier of the state. This Ukrainian Catholic Church certainly ranks among the most unusual gems in the area.

As I look again at these pictures taken in 2013, I am reminded of the occasion that drew us into that warm wood interior. The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier (PAST) sponsors tours of various locations from time to time, and tours of religious sites draw hundreds of visitors to local churches, synagogues, and Islamic Centers. Driving through any city or village, we see the steeples of downtown cathedrals or notice quaint clapboard churches along the roads. While we might be curious about the interiors, it’s unlikely many of us would try the doors to see if we could peek in. As a Presbyterian kid, I remember walking by the downtown Catholic church on a summer day and looking through the open doors to see what I could see. Not much. Candles and statues. I didn’t feel comfortable actually going in. I wasn’t sure it was proper. Even now, as an adult, I would feel uncertain about walking into the space of a worshipping community where mere curiosity had drawn me. Too nosey?

But the PAST organization provides the opportunity for religious communities to open their doors to the curious or to the genuine seeker, one who might very well be looking for a spiritual home. On that Sunday in May, shortly after most churches had concluded their worship services, PAST had arranged for several hours of open doors and tours. Historic structures attracted many of us, but so did more modern architecture, as well as places re-purposed for religious groups. With a map in hand with addresses and descriptions of the buildings open to visitors, we were able to drive around all afternoon, and see a soaring Gothic sanctuary, a synagogue, a church in a former bowling alley, and the “wooden church” pictured here. At the small John Hus Presbyterian Church in Binghamton, some church members sang a Czech hymn that reminded us of the immigrants who had founded the congregation, and whose families still attend.  Many sites offered docents who noted interior architectural features or interpreted the theological beliefs of the worshipping community. Sometimes there’d be a brief organ recital or choir offering.

I’m sure many of those who welcomed visitors on the PAST tours were hoping that with the mystery of what was inside the buildings solved, a few folks would return for worship, or having learned of outreach and service opportunities might have discovered a place to put new found faith into action in their neighborhoods.

A couple of years, we hosted PAST tours at our own church, and greeted many area residents who admitted they had driven by the Dutch-inspired stone building for years and were finally glad to look inside. Since ours was the very first church in the county, our church museum drew many folks interested in local history. Plus, there were cookies.

As we enjoyed the visual feast of that Ukrainian Catholic Church, the priest offered details of the church’s beginnings in the community as well as the historical background and theology of Ukrainian Catholics (as distinct from Roman Catholics). We’re looking forward to the end of this pandemic pause so that we can resume our visits to more sanctuaries soon. The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier has done us the favor of organizing tours that give us a deeper appreciation for treasured buildings and our neighbors’ faith expressions. 

Tomorrow, in keeping with the overall name of my blog (“Peace, Grace, and Jazz”), we head to New York City for some jazz at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.