Our host this week is Dawn from The Day After and she wanted to set the theme as PLACES OF WORSHIP. Religion is a funny thing in Australia and doesn’t have the same massive impact that it has in other countries. I didn’t grow up with it and my mother made sure that I stayed away from it. I think it wasn’t fairly common, and whether you are or aren’t is one of those things that we don’t really talk about here. You can believe whatever you want, but we don’t share it. So you rarely hear us saying things like pray for us. It isn’t part of our culture, or rather not part of the culture I grew up with.
This is not meant to be a discussion about beliefs, but when Dawn said what she wanted to do, I thought oh no, how can I do this, but then I realised I photograph churches all the time. I have no idea how many I’ve photographed over the years.
I am finding it hard to photograph them these days as so many of them are being sold and church services are no longer running there. The buildings are there, but you can’t just walk up to them to take photos because you might be trespassing. I try to look for a board out the front that tells when church services will be, that is a hint that it is still used as one, I hope.
You will also notice that most of these are no longer being used. They are falling apart, though I know one is still in use, and another couple might be. I found them fascinating for reasons I’ve mentioned and for other reasons.
I think it is a great theme and I had to troll through my archives to find some of the places of worship that I have photographed over the years. I have put together a gallery for you. All but one were taken in Australia. Can you tell where the one that isn’t here was?
I would like to thank Dawn for setting this theme for us. I can’t wait to see what you all post. Please make sure you link your post to Dawn and me if you like.
Participating in Monochrome Madness
If you would like to participate in this challenge please post photos on your blog and use the tag Monochrome-Madness, then I can use the reader to see what you post.
You can also leave a pingback, do they still call them that? Basically, you put a link to my monochrome madness post in your post and it leaves a link in the comment section.
Don’t forget to check out the Monochrome Madness page. On this page, the next theme is announced and there is also all the information for participating. We have also included a list of themes that will be coming in the future so if you want to be able to plan ahead you can. They aren’t in order, but will happen. Please go and check it out. Click on the Monochrome Madness heading in the menu.
Also if you would like to host one week or more, let me know.
A great gallery as always, bringing out the drama in many of these buildings! Of course I spotted Bodie immediately so it was easy to identify that as the one not taken in Australia!
Thank you Sarah. You are so right, I knew you would know it.
Sorry not to be joining in at the moment. I left my brain behind in Engalnd when we came to see the Spanish branch of our family!
That’s okay Margaret, I know that feeling. Next time, take care. Thanks.
As an American who supposedly lives under the doctrine of separate church and state I find this very interesting.
But politics and religion aside…great images…you gotta love the architecture.
I think we have that separation too, oh yes, we do, I just looked it up. However we have had politicians making rules or laws based on their religious beliefs. The problem is, like other countries like ours that take in people from all around the world, there are many many beliefs here and you can’t just think about Christian ones. I do love the architecture Dawn, great choice. Thank you.
I absolutely agree with you Leanne, and thank you.
You’re welcome. 😀
Love the hints and bursts of light from the background and sky. It is lovely to see your monochromes every time.
Thank you Teresa, I love working on that. That’s nice of you to say.
Lovely selection Leanne 😀
Here’s my effort
http://bushboy.blog/2025/01/08/another-st-patricks-church-in-monochrome/
Thank you Brian.
What a great concept for the challenge! Your images are very impactful. Here’s my entry:
https://throughbrazilianeyes.com/a-different-light-monochrome-images-of-the-san-antonio-missions/
It is, Dawn chose well. Thank you Egidio.
Awesome capture, Leanne!
Thank you.
I like the moodiness of your photos, Leanne.
I don’t have much feeling invested in churches (the most common places of worship in Germany) so I thought I look for other places in my pile of photos (all but one from Germany).
https://picturesimperfectblog.com/2025/01/07/whats-your-doctrine-of-choice/
Thank you Elke. That sounds like a great idea, I thought of something liek that, but couldn’t think of anyway.
Fantastic collection.
Thank you.
What a fantastic series!
Thank you Egidio.
Lovely old churches
Thank you Jean.
Great collection of churches Leanne. You don’t have to be a believer to appreciate the buildings. I like photographing churches also, especially the simple ones.
Thank you Anne, I agree, simple ones can be so good. You can do so much with them.
<3
😊
Really great photographs 🤗. A church is most always an incredible subject to shoot. We have many here and I take full advantage of it. I’m not a church person either, still I’ve made trips here and as far as the EU just to shoot them. None anywhere near the type of drama you presented here. Love em.
Thank you Ted, there is something about them, I have to agree, they are fascinating to photograph. Wow you have travelled far to get them.
It started because I always wanted to see Norte-Dame. When I finally did it got me back into photography. After that….
That is great story Ted, I love that it got you back into it.
Beautiful photos. We have the same issue here with beautiful old churches closing, all boarded up. For me it’s sad, because I like to go and sit in a church. I don’t go to mass much, but I do find comfort and peacefulness in sitting in a church, when they are open 24 hours, just stop in at a whim. Of course, that does not keep a church open, pay their bills, etc. There is spiritualness in the world, so with churches closing, it will be interesting to see where we are headed in regard to praying to God. A timely post on churches.
Besides wanting to photographing them it doesn’t bother me too much. The churches are never open 24 hours here, as far as I know. Thank you.