3 Quarters Today

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Day 277: Red Door, Nebraska City Church

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Now that I’ve learned the significance of red doors on churches I’m on the lookout for more to photograph. The first red door I saw on a church was during a visit to  South Windsor Connecticut. Little did I know the second one I would find would be in Nebraska City, Nebraska. The oldest Episcopal church in Nebraska, founded in 1857 has a crimson door. 

Red Door at a church in Nebraska
Red Door at a church in Nebraska

So what does it mean when you see a red door on a church? What does it represent in the Christian faith? The blood of Christ. As you walk through the door into the house of worship you are cleansed in the blood of Christ. Read about my first encounter below, along with the history of Martin Luther and a very famous door.

Significance of Red Doors in a Church – 3 Quarters Today

I didn’t know of the significance of red doors on churches until I read, Finally A Red Door, on another Project 365 blog. Although this door is of a Catholic church in Connecticut the symbolism of a red door in churches spans …
Since I drive around the country side on a regular basis you would think I would spot more, but I believe the tradition of painting church doors to represent the blood of Christ is no longer fashionable. Have you ever see a red door on a church? 
 
 

 

 
 

Day 231/365: Stacks of Stones on the Beach

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A new tradition on Block Island. Stone stacking. I don’t know how this tradition started, or when, but it was a wonderful surprise when I saw my first stone tower. Some people called them stone cairns, a delicately balanced stack of stones used to mark “I was here”.

Cairns of Block Island

From what I can understand cairns were first used by settlers, pioneers, or Native Americans (Indians) to mark a cache of supplies, either to remind themselves where food was hidden under the rocks, or to leave supplies for fellow travelers.

Whatever they are called, I was enthralled by them. One person told me it was good luck to add a stone to the pile, so I did my part.

Stone Carin on Block Island
Stone Carin on Block Island

I wasn’t the only person captivated by  The Cairns of Block Island, seems others are fascinated by the smooth stackable rocks on the beach. See how many you can count in this image below.

Cairns on Mohegan Bluffs
Cairns on Mohegan Bluffs

My favorite shots are those with the ocean and surf  in the background. There is solitary about the image that draws you to the location.

Stone Cairn on Block Island
Stone Cairn on Block Island

Significance of Red Doors in a Church

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I didn’t know of the significance of red doors on churches  until I read, Finally A Red Door, on another  Project 365 blog.  Although this door is of a Catholic church in Connecticut the symbolism of a red door in churches spans many denominations. It is definitely a more popular tradition in older churches.

Catholic Church in Connecticut

According to Dr. Richard C Hoefler, dean of Christ Chapel at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, “Christians have entered into worship, into the presence of God, through the blood of Christ.” It is also said that a red door in the Lutheran Church harkens back to the time of Martin Luther, who posted his 95 Theses on the red doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany—the crimson color symbolizes the church as part of the Reformation. (Pastor Kuhlman, can you confirm?)

On the website St. David’s Episcopal Church  in Laurinburg, NC it explains: “Red Front Doors. The red doors symbolize the blood of Christ, which is our entry into salvation. They also remind us of the blood of the martyrs, the seeds of the church.”

Historically a church has been a place of sanctuary, a place where a soldier could not pursue an enemy, much like when one takes refuge in  Christ the enemy, the devil and evil,  cannot pursue and destroy you. Thank you Bonnie for bringing this little known history to my attention.

By the way, this door is at St. Francis Assisi in South Windsor Connecticut.

I am now on a quest for other Red Doors around the country, here is one in Nebraska City at an Episcopal Church

Symbolism in Churches

If you are interested in learning more about symbolism in churches and the meaning of certain design elements in architecture of a various churches the books below are full of interesting information of Christian symbolism.

The Secret Language of Churches & Cathedrals: Decoding the Sacred Symbolism of Christianity’s Holy BuildingsHow to Read a Church: A Guide to Symbols and Images in Churches and CathedralsSymbols of the Church