Photos, videos and docs of Alan Mays, with the keywords: "churches"

Bird's-Eye View of Loon Lake and Freedom, N.H., ca. 1934

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 23:54:02 +0000

(I'm finally caught up on the Vintage Photos Theme Park postings I missed while Ipernity was offline.)

A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of by the lake.

"Birds Eye View, Loon Lake and Freedom, N.H. 9."

This area was the setting for the intriguing story of the mysterious House on Loon Lake, profiled in an episode of This American Life radio show (take a look at the assortment of ephemera found at the house, which includes an acquaintance card similar to the ones in my album).

This is a real photo postcard addressed on the other side to Mrs. Bruce Mather, Benton, Penna., and postmarked in Kezar Falls, Maine, on August 24, 1934.

Handwritten message: "Howdy Darl, Here is where we are getting all our swimming exercise. We climbed Mt. Chocorua yesterday, We made it to return on Thursday from the White Mountains. On Monday morning we leave for Boston. Will be seeing you soon. Rhoda."

Printed on the other side: "Photograph Post Card from Studio of Eastern Illustrating Co., Belfast, ME."

Vacation Bible School, St. John's Lutheran Church, Slatington, Pa., July 1, 1936 (Detail)

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 03:47:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A detail from a photo of the participants in a vacation Bible school at St. John's Lutheran Church in Slatington, Pennsylvania, in 1936.The children in the top half of the image look like giants compared to the ones in the lower half, which makes it obvious that this is a montage of two or more different photos.

For the full real photo postcard, see Vacation Bible School, St. John's Lutheran Church, Slatington, Pa., July 1, 1936.

Vacation Bible School, St. John's Lutheran Church, Slatington, Pa., July 1, 1936

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 03:47:04 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A religious photo for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

"St. John's Lutheran Church, 12th Daily Vacation Bible School, 7-1-36, Slatington, Pa."

A real photo postcard of the children and adults who participated in a vacation Bible school at St. John's Lutheran Church in Slatington, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, on July 1, 1936. It wasn't until I attempted to count the number of people in the photo—there are about 215—that I realized that this is a montage combining two or more images. A close-up of part of the photo makes the montage obvious.

Gondola Ride, Venice, Italy, 1952

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 04:58:02 +0000

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A Vintage Photos Theme Park photo for the theme of ship out! (taking a trip by any conveyance but extra credit by ship or boat).

A souvenir real photo postcard of tourists riding in a gondola on the Venetian Lagoon in Venice, Italy. It's dated 1952 on the other side.

The dome of St Mark's Basilica and its tall campanile (bell tower) are visible in the background.

Cyanotype Woman with May 1908 Calendar

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 04:56:02 +0000

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Handwritten note on the other side of this calendar: "Ida Massimore. For faithful attendance at Sunday School. From your teacher, Mrs. E. W. Gregory."

Mrs. Gregory is wearing a cross necklace in the blue-tinted cyanotype photo on this calendar, which she used as an attendance reward for her Sunday school students.

Season's Greetings, 1950

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 16:56:02 +0000

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"Seasons Greetings, 1950." Handwritten signature on the other side of this photographic greeting card: "The Weidman's."

For the Weidman family Christmas card from 1949, this young girl posed with Santa outside on the porch instead of inside on the stairs. See Season's Greetings, 1949—From Our House to Your House.

Grand Excursion and Picnic Ticket, Penryn Park, July 25, 1900

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 04:18:04 +0000

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In 1900, the Sunday schools of churches in Landisville and Salunga, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, organized a trip to Penryn Park, a trolley park that was located about eighteen miles away near Cornwall in Lebanon County (YMCA Camp Shand, a children's summer camp, occupies the park site today).

Grand Excursion and Picnic

By Landisville and Salunga Sunday-schools, Wednesday, July 25, 1900, Penryn Park.

Adults' ticket, 45 cents.

Pluck Print.

Lee and Lester Shooting Birds Off the Church Steeple, Luthersburg, Pa., 1907

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 18:33:37 +0000

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A real photo postcard addressed on the other side to Miss Millicent Edinger, 6709 Leeds St., Philadelphia, Pa., and postmarked Luthersburg, Pa., May 16, 1907.

Handwritten message: "Please send us some cards with views from your city. This is Lee & Lester shooting birds off the church steeple."

I sure hope Lee and Lester didn't actually hit any birds or the steeple!

Hallow Eve Party Ticket, Young Men's Society, First Methodist Episcopal Church, Lancaster, Pa.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:50:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A Halloween party ticket, probably dating to the first decade of the twentieth century.

Hallow Eve Party
By the Young Men's Society of 1st M.E. Church, at Iris Club Building, No. 323 North Duke St., Friday, October 30. Tickets, 10 cts. Pluck Print.

Harvest Home Greetings, Methodist Church, Strasburg, Pa., 1909

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 04:36:10 +0000

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"Harvest Home Greetings. Methodist Church, Strasburg, Pa."

Addressed on the other side to Mr. Roy D. Mowrer, Strasburg, Pa., and postmarked Iva, Pa., Oct. 20, 1909. Message: "The musical is to be held in the Hall. You know. A.B.D."

For other real photo postcards of Harvest Home celebrations, see Harvest Home Display with Minister and Harvest Service, Lutheran Church, Strasburg, Pa., 1907.

Harvest Service, Lutheran Church, Strasburg, Pa., 1907

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 04:36:12 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Harvest Service, 1907. Lutheran Church, Strasburg, Pa."

For other photos that show church altars decorated for a Harvest Service (also called Harvest Home), see Harvest Home Display with Minister and Harvest Home Greetings, Methodist Church, Strasburg, Pa., 1909.

Harvest Home Display with Minister

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 04:36:14 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

In this real photo postcard, a minister of a church (location and date unknown) stands in the midst of fruits and vegetables that decorate the altar in preparation for a Harvest Home service.

"Harvest Home" is a religious celebration that's still held today at some Lutheran, Reformed, and other churches in Pennsylvania and elsewhere during the late summer or early fall. As seen here, the observance typically involves a display of tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkins, cornstalks, flowers, etc.

For additional examples, see Harvest Service, Lutheran Church, Strasburg, Pa., 1907, and Harvest Home Greetings, Methodist Church, Strasburg, Pa., 1909.

In this photo, the inscription at the bottom of the stained glass window on the right-hand side says, "Donated by Robert, Ella, & Sallie Wise."

The signboard hanging on the wall on the left-hand side of the photo provides the following information about the church:

Register - Attendance & Offering
Number on the roll - 200
Attendance today - 114
Attendance a year ago today - 81
Offering today - 236
Offering a year ago today - 104

Did You Know That Eleven and Twelve Make 23?

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 04:20:12 +0000

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"What time is it down there?" "Just eleven." "It's twelve up here—you know eleven and twelve make 23." Handwritten: "Did this ever occur to you?"

So what does the mother mean by yelling "eleven and twelve make 23" down at the couple hanging out on the hammock in the front yard at midnight?

To understand the humor of this postcard from 1909, it helps to know that a fad about the meaning of the number "23" became wildly popular in the United States in the early twentieth century. Beginning around 1906 or 1907, "23"—along with "23 skidoo"—came to be used as a shorthand way of telling someone to "scram," "beat it," or "get lost," usually with a humorous or joking connotation.

Referring to "23" in unexpected ways—as on this postcard or on a valentine—and even placing "23" in surprising places (like on the front of a painted automobile prop in a novelty photo) was a humorous way to let others in on the joke.

So it's obvious that mom is keeping tabs on her daughter as she watches the couple from the second-floor window. And her reference to "23" makes it clear (to those in the know, at least) that she wants the guy to skedaddle.

Postmark, address, and handwritten note on the other side of this postcard:

Omaha & Ogden R.P.O. [railway post office], Apr 1, 1909.

Miss Hazle Hainline, Grand Island, Neb., 222 W. 6th St.

Hello Girlie, wish I could have had the pleasure to set and hear you sing and play tonight. How is mama and dad. Tonight is the first I have eaten since I left your place. Haven't been hungry. Mora.

113 Pub. by Keller Bros., Portland, Or.

Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Shoemaker, Dakota, Illinois

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 05:07:02 +0000

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A postcard-sized example of ornamental penmanship featuring a flourished bird. The piece is unsigned and may date to as early as the 1880s or 1890s.

"Compliments of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Shoemaker, Dakota, Ill."

Joseph Shellenberger Shoemaker (1854-1936) was a well-known bishop in the Mennonite Church. He and his wife, Elizabeth Sechrist Brubaker (1856-1931), were married in 1877, and they were members of the Freeport Mennonite Church in Freeport, Illinois.

For additional examples of bird flourishes and other ornamental penmanship, see my Writing, Lettering, Flourishing album and the Clinton Clark Scrapbook, which was uploaded to the Internet Archive by IAMPETH (International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting).

Brother Rarick and Willis at Dixon Church of the Brethren, Dixon, Ill.

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 04:55:22 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

A photo of a church, chapel, or any other religious building for the Vintage Photos Theme Park.

Caption at lower left: "Dixon Church." Sign: "Revival Meetings in Progress Here. Come Tonight."

Handwritten message on the back of this real photo postcard (no name, address, or postmark): "This was taken during our revival last fall. The people are Bro. Rarick the evangelist and Willis. The building to right is our dwelling."

Addendum: I was skeptical at first when someone over on Flickr suggested that the church in this photo is the same one that's still located at 501 W. Third Street (corner of Third and Madison) in Dixon, Illinois (see the Google Street View dated 2013). After further checking, however, I was able to confirm that this building was home to the Dixon Church of the Brethren until 1963, when it was purchased by the Second Baptist Church, which still uses it today.

New Year Greeting, 1912

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 06:12:02 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

Rev. B. L. C. Baer was the pastor of the Highspire Church of God in Highspire, Pa.

New Year Greeting, 1912

Being deprived the privilege of coming into your home I still herewith extend to you the greetings of the season.

My good wishes for your happiness and success are not limited to a day or a week--they continue throughout the year; but at this joyous Christmas and New Year season I gladly renew and emphasize my good wishes, and as I count my blessings I find your good will among those most highly prized.

B. L. C. Baer, Highspire, Pa.

Bell Shares Certificate, Third Moravian Church Sunday School, Harrowgate, Philadelphia, Pa., ca. 1870s

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 15:55:05 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

The Sunday school of the Third Moravian Church of Philadelphia used share certificates like this to raise funds for the purchase of a church bell. The sale of all 2,500 shares at 10 cents each would have raised $250, and perhaps that would have covered the cost of a bell in the 1870s, which is when these certificates were issued.

For another nineteenth-century fundraising strategy that involved buying bricks rather than shares, see The Owner of This Card Has Purchased One Brick in the People's Church, Boston, Mass., ca. 1880 (below).

Third Moravian Church Sunday School, Harrowgate, Philadelphia.

2,500 shares. 10 cents each.

This is to certify that John Diehne is entitled to one shares in the bell of the Third Moravian Church at Harrogate, Philadelphia.

Chas. Thieley, president.

J. Lietz, secretary,

Senseman & Son, Printers, 416 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia.

Peach Festival Ticket, Second Reformed Church, Reading, Pa., Sept. 13, 1952

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Wed, 17 May 2017 19:22:52 +0000

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Peach Festival

Sponsored by the Women's Guild of Second Reformed Church, 45 South Sixth Street, Saturday, September 13, 1952, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Baked ham supper, peaches and ice cream, novelties, cake and candy. Tickets good for anything on sale. Tickets - 10 cents. No. 3623.

Dear Miss, I Very Much Desire the Pleasure of Your Acquaintance

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 14:45:22 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Dear Miss, I very much desire the pleasure of your acquaintance and your company home this evening. If agreeable please keep this card, if not kindly return it. Yours truly, ________."

See also Fair Lady, I Send You This Beautiful Chromo with My Compliments (below) and my Acquaintance Cards album for additional examples.

Fair Lady, I Send You This Beautiful Chromo with My Compliments

nobody@ipernity.com (Alan Mays) — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 14:45:20 +0000

Alan Mays has posted:

"Fair Lady, I send you this beautiful chromo with my compliments. If I may be the happy youth on the promenade, please retain it. If I must suffer misery on the fence, be so good as to return it. Yours truly, ________."

See also Dear Miss, I Very Much Desire the Pleasure of Your Acquaintance (below) and my Acquaintance Cards album for additional examples.