[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HNEz3lWO9E]
I thought many of you would enjoy seeing the inside of St. Michael’s Church, arguably the architecturally best church in the diocese. The church is now a repository for the Brombaugh Organ, until the organ’s final home in California, is ready for it. If you ever get a chance, stop in St. Michael’s and look around but also pray especially for vocations.
Now in it’s third home, John Brombaugh’s Opus 9, built for Ashland Avenue Baptist Church in Toledo, OH, will wait patiently until it’s new owners can bring it to California. In the meantime it will enjoy the cavernous acoustics of this beautiful church, kept alive by the sheer will of it’s dwindling congregation. The old organ is a Steere from the early 1900s, electrified by Tellers in the 1950s (originally tubular pneumatic!), and now wheezing along and kept alive by a few dedicated volunteers in the church.
Tags: Orthodoxy at Work
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By far the most amazing church in the Diocese of Rochester. I am just dieing to go on one of their sunday tours.
Perhaps we could get a bunch of us from the blog and go some Sunday or even Saturday.
I love St. Michael's. I wish it weren't in such a terrible section of the city.
~Dr. K
If you just want to see it, go on Sunday mornings for the Spanish Mass. Many people walk around while Mass is going on, so it won't be bothersome to the congregation.
DR.K. BE NOT AFRAID!
I will rescue you if need be. I got people!
I wonder what other masses are offered there besides Spanish.
I have some time after the Sunday morning Mass at OLV and before the Latin Mass at St. Stan's, so if anybody would like to go, just leave a note here and perhaps we can work things out. The only date that is NOT good is September 27. Too much going on that day.
I've been there a few times, but I always fear for my car's safety when going to certain churches in the city. For example, a young kid tossed a glass bottle towards my car while driving near St. Bridget's one time (thankfully the Lord gave him bad aim!)
~Dr. K
Here is the St. Michael Mass schedule:
Saturday: none
Sunday: 11:30am in Spanish, 4pm in English
Monday: none
Tuesday: 12:10pm in English
Wednesday: none
Thursday: 8:00am in English
Friday: none
The days when St. Michael's does not have Mass, there is usually a Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Joseph.
~Dr. K
More pictures of St. Michael's. Click on any picture to enlarge it.
http://www.saintmichaelsofrochester.org/Photos.php
Thank you for the pictures. The church is a true gem. I can't believe I have never been there before. I must stop by some time in the coming weeks.
More catholics around North Clinton Ave. than Flower City Park.
"More catholics around North Clinton Ave. than Flower City Park."
I believe it, especially the Spanish-speaking population. Many who attend the Cathedral, as I've said before, only go there because it's the "Cathedral" church. It's all the novelty of attending the Bishop's church. Move the Cathedral to the suburbs, and Sacred Heart will be closed within a year.
~Dr. K
If the Cathedral closes, I'll betcha Eastman School would snap it up in a second.
Eastman, through EROI, is trying to make Rochester into world-famous organ center and they are doing a mighty good job of it.
The Fritts organ in SH is a mighty fine instrument. I sometimes think the DoR hedged its bets by putting the organ in SH. If the Cathedral had to close, they (DoR) has an automatic buyer through the Eastman. If it doesn't close, the get to use an absolutely wonderful instrument.
Remember when the DoR took out the old organ and didn't have an organ, the brides-to-be screamed bloody murder because brides, at least most of them, want organ music at their weddings. I hope I explained that well enough.
Let the Eastman have that o'l thing. Yes it is beautiful but it has caused much heart break and controversey. Eastman better buy the building too, I'm no engineer but they will never get it out of there. At least if the Eastman had it there will be people in attendance as now few people hear it.
Hey all,
I went to St. Michael's today, hoping to take pictures of the church interior for a website I'm working on. I was told by a grounds worker to ask the secretary in the office if I could get inside. I did, and she said she needs the permission of Deacon Hurley to allow anyone to take pictures that would go on the Internet. She said she'd allow me in, but because it is for a website permission is needed. Anybody know what the reason would be for this difficulty in taking photos of this beautiful church? I've had no problem with any other church I've been to (only have a few left in Monroe County) so this is rather strange and upsetting.
I hope someone has an idea, thanks.
Anon, that's quite strange indeed. Obviously the videographer who took the video in this post was able to take pictures at St. Michael with no problem. I don't see why you shouldn't be able to do so as well. I'd stop by before a Sunday liturgy (get there early so you can get good shots), hopefully the secretary won't give you any trouble. There is no law that one can not take pictures of our Catholic Churches. Even look at the St. Michael Web site, they have pictures posted there!
Maybe if someone working at St. Michael's is reading this they can answer why the secretary told you that. I really think you should have no problem. Good luck with your site, let us know the URL when you get it done!
~Dr. K
Anon: I too have no clue about why you weren't allowed to take pictures. Yes, do let us know the URL when finished. If you need someone to carry your equipment as you go into these nice churches, let me know. I'd be glad to help.
Let us know if you have any troubles taking any pictures of the church. If you do, I will gladly make contacts for you. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to do this.
Good luck, and keep us up to date on your site.
~Dr. K
First, park on Clinton Ave. and you will have no problem with your car.
Next, come to the 4pm mass and hear some amazing music. Dan Aune (Eastman Doctoral graduate) and Alicia Messenger put together some music that takes advantage with the space. Also, they have Eastman Concerts once each month and a choir of Eastman students on another Sunday each month. Quite a place to have mass while getting some fine help from these arguably world class musicians and vocalists.