Bright Blue with Gargoyles

The sky could not be more blue above Selma's First Baptist Church

 on Lauderdale Street. Here is a section of the church towers and turrets 

with its Gothic details. Notice the gargoyles! 

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs and Skywatch Friday

Skywatch Friday, Steeples

The sun is finally shining down on us today, but this photograph

 of the First Baptist Church (Lauderdale Street) steeples was taken

 a couple of years ago and shows our usual wispy, winter sky. 

(Notice the gargoyles on the center tower.)

Linking to Skywatch Friday

and City Daily Photo Blogs

The Bright Spot

The glorious crape myrtle has been one of the few "bright spots" around town

 this summer as clouds often accompanied by rain have been the norm. 

However, it's good that "global warming" took a break in July.

 Our daytime temps stayed mostly in the 80s. and there is no drought,

 hurricane or extreme heat in sight...yet!

Linking to Skywatch Friday, Friday Fences and City Daily Photo Blogs

Summer Sunday

Crape Myrtles line the sidewalks to downtown churches on summer Sundays such as this.

"Through My Eyes..." First Baptist Gargoyles

And now...the winner of the Junior Division in the Arts Revive "Through My Eyes...Selma's Historic Architecture" photography contest.
This photograph of a gargoyle on the Gothic-designed First Baptist Church at Dallas Avenue and Lauderdale Street has the wings of an angel and the face of a lion. The photo was taken by Elizabeth Wilson, who I believe, already has a good eye for composition.

Steeples

Church steeples rather than skyscrapers form Selma's downtown skyline.
First Baptist Church is at left, and St. Paul's Episcopal is at right.
Have a blessed Sunday!

Along the Sidewalk

Along the sidewalk between First Baptist Church (Lauderdale Street) and St. Paul's Episcopal Church is a bed of pansies...one of many bright spots during these cloudy and often foggy days of January. Up ahead in the background are the Centre for Commerce and Dallas County Courthouse.

Christmas Services

The arched doors of First Baptist Church at Lauderdale Street and Dallas Avenue will open for Christmas services Sunday. The Sunday before Christmas typically draws large crowds, and many families gather for Christmas dinners and reunions... as will my side of the family.

First Baptist Gargoyles

First Baptist Church on Lauderdale Street has several interesting gargoyles that are quite unusual for Southern Baptist structures. Most Baptist churches are relatively plain, but the ornate Gothic architecture makes this one among the most unusual and beautiful in Alabama.

I have not researched the symbolism, but this gargoyle appears to be a lion with wings. The Bible refers to a lion with wings as one of Four Living Beings in Revelation 4:7-8. The others were an ox, a man and an eagle. I don't notice these on the church, but their purpose was to give glory and honor to God.