Saint Mary on the Mount

On Saturday morning I spent a few hours at Saint Mary on the Mount atop Mt. Washington. It is a beautiful Catholic church. I met a very sweet woman who talked with me for a few moments about what brought her back to her Pittsburgh roots and recalled visiting with her parents at the regatta one summer when she was unsure of what was ahead for her and her children as she and her husband had recently been divorced. While standing in Point State Park, she looked at Mt. Washington and saw the church aglow. She mentioned the number of years that she’s been going to the church and while I can’t quite remember how long she said it was, I know it’s been a long time. The church, to her, was a sign from God to move back to Pittsburgh from a city several states away. She was very happy to tell me what the church means to her.

Here are a few favorites from my shoot:

Apparently, the church has done extensive and expensive renovation to return the stained glass windows to their original splendor.

Dramatic lighting accentuates the altar.

I like the juxtaposition of Mary with baby Jesus in the foreground and the crucifixion in the background.

This beautiful window above the entrance to the church is my favorite. It’s Christ’s ascension into Heaven.