ST. STANISLAUS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

I have found that a number of Catholic churches remain open to visitors during periods other than formal services, and I have taken advantage of that to photograph those churches' interiors.  I had tried a number of times previously to visit the St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church to photograph its interior but had always found it locked.  So I was pleased to learn that the church was one of the venues open to the public during the recent Doors Open Milwaukee event.  So I made sure it was one of my stops.

Built in 1872 by Polish immigrants, the church, with its twin clock towers, is a familiar Milwaukee landmark located just to the west of the north-south freeway on the south side of the city.

I really could have used a wider angle lens for this shot, as I was limited by the fence bordering the freeway to the east.

The church has undergone a number of renovations, most recently in 2016.  And it shows, particularly on the interior.  Here, first, is a traditional shot toward the church sanctuary from the rear of the nave.  

I have found that these shots work best when taken from a low angle.  

The paneled ceiling is, I think, particularly attractive.

Here is a detail shot of one of the ceiling panels.

The sanctuary is also well done.  I liked the fact that the altar piece is set against a relatively uncluttered background.

On the other hand, the elaborate crucifix above the sanctuary, shown in the following shot, is set against the ceiling of the apse, creating some complexity that is difficult to sort out, particularly in 2D.  Still, very nice.

Here is a closeup of the crucifix.

And another of a mural at the base of the apse ceiling.

The nave included a number of lovely stained glass windows.

This shot was a difficult one, by the way.  The light coming through the windows was very bright relative to the otherwise dimly lit interior.  Still, I thought this photo came through quite well.  Even so, I might have had an easier time had I featured the windows on the north side of the nave rather than this shot of the south side.

The window designs were surprisingly abstract, reflecting, perhaps, the fact that they are true stained glass (as opposed to painted glass), consisting of individual pieces of colored glass pieced together with leading.  Here are a couple of detail shots of one of the windows.

The church appears smaller on the inside than what the exterior seems to promise.  Even so, it was a delight to visit and to photograph.

John