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Saturday, April 16, 2011

Photos of Saint Nicholas Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois

HERE ARE PHOTOS of Saint Nicholas Church, in the village of Pocahontas, Illinois. The church is located about 42 highway miles east-by-northeast of downtown Saint Louis in Bond County, and is a part of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA - exterior

Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA - statue of Saint Nicholas

Statue of Saint Nicholas of Myra (270–6 December 343), in the narthex. The Saint is identified iconographically by his episcopal vestments, and he is holding three balls or bags on a book; this symbolizes the three bags of gold that Nicholas used to prevent three girls from being sold into prostitution.

Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA - nave

This church has approximately 183 parishioners in 91 families. I arrived at this church during the Agnus Dei, and it looked nearly filled. [I belatedly realize that my photos are mainly architectural, and that I ought to include photos of the faithful.]

Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA - altar

Before the altar is a crown of thorns.

Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA - stained glass window of baptismal shell

The windows in this church are simple, but each incorporates a symbol. Here is a seashell, both a symbol of baptism, and an instrument used during the sacrament.

Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA - stained glass window with butterfly and phoenix

On the left is a butterfly, which is a symbol of the soul and of the resurrection. On the right is the phoenix, which is also a symbol of resurrection, and most specifically a symbol of Christ's resurrection.

Until recently, there seemed to be little hope in reviving the Church's rich treasury of symbolism. However, popular youth culture has lately revived this symbolism for us. See the article Can Man Read the Symbolic Book of Nature Today?

Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA - XIIIth Station of the Cross, Jesus is taken from the Cross

XIIIth Station of the Cross, Jesus is taken from the Cross.

Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA - tabernacle

The tabernacle.

Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA - cornerstone

The cornerstone of the church.

Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, in Pocahontas, Illinois, USA - cemetery

Address:
401 East State Street
Pocahontas, Illinois 62275

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