Saint Mary on the Mount

March 1, 2009/by kmiller

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.

Churches of Pittsburgh

March 1, 2009/by kmiller

The Churches of Pittsburgh

I’m working on an independent project documenting the Churches of Pittsburgh. The following are churches I plan to photograph over the next week or two. I’ll be breaking a bit from this blog’s general topic of photography because there’s just so much history with these churches that I won’t be able to resist sharing some tidbits I’ve learned along the way.

Saint Mary on the Mount Parish on Mt. Washington
First Presbyterian Church in downtown Pittsburgh
Trinity Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh
St. Nicholas Church in Millvale
Smithfield United Church of Christ
First Lutheran Church in downtown Pittsburgh
St. Stanislaus Kostka in the Strip District
Heinz Chapel in Oakland
St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oakland
Saint Mary on the Mount
Epiphany Catholic Church in downtown Pittsburgh

I’m also considering photographing the following churches over the next month or so: Mount Ararat Baptist Church, St. Anthony’s Reliquary, Iron City Church and Hot Metal Church. Bellevue Christian Church is on my list too, but its sanctuary is currently being remodeled.

If anyone out there would like to recommend a church to add to my list, please leave a comment. We have so many beautiful churches in Pittsburgh and I’m learning about more and more everyday.

Dacia and Mike’s Wedding

February 28, 2009/by kmiller

Dacia and Mike were hoping for a winter wedding, and while the snow was relentless in the weeks leading up to their day, it was oddly warm on that first Saturday in February. Imagine that; Pittsburgh weather is unpredictable! Anyhow, they had a beautiful day despite the unseasonably warm weather.