THE ELEGANTLY ORNATE LOOP Part One

This was supposed to be our castle day, but it was raining - and raining. We decided to do the loop drive and hope the storm would be gone the next day for castle hiking & touring. We had no idea what this day would hold.

Our first stop was at Wieskirche, Germany's greatest Rococo-style church, according to some. It is a pilgrimage church and is set in the middle of pastures away from everything. The statue that it is all built around is a carving of a scourged Christ. Because it was thought to be too graphic to be accepted by the people, a tiny, humble chapel was built to house the statue in 1739. But then, as people worshiped there, it was reported that the statue wept with them in their suffering. Larger and larger crowds began to come to see the statue and 2 great architects were commissioned to build the church.



Wieskirche sits amongst these fields and pastures.






















This is the original little chapel - not much bigger than a back yard shed.









































When we arrived at the church, a service was just letting out, so an organ postlude was being played. As Don started trying to move around and get pictures, I decided to just sit for a moment and take the whole thing in - sight and sound. And I had the sweetest feeling wash over me. This isn't my kind of art or worship, but I still felt the Spirit whisper to me of love and dedication. I am grateful for that.




























































Ceiling
















The empty organ loft. Their organ was out for renovation and they were soliciting donations to help with that.










The portable organ being used




























I'm sorry these didn't turn out. The art was nice.



The scourged Christ. I don't know if it was even 3 feet tall.