First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Casper Wyoming

This is the last church to be added here that falls in Casper's downtown district.

This is the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), located in downtown Casper next to Natrona County High School. I don't know anything about this particular church, other than that I cannot personally recall it ever not being there, so the church building must date back to the 1960s or 1950s.

Church of the Holy Family, Anglican Church, Casper Wyoming.

This is the first church we've added from South Casper. There are several churches in this district, which border being outside of the city limits, and in one case actually are outside the city limits.

This is the Anglican Church of the Holy Family. It's a log structure, a not uncommon style in Wyoming but this one, from the exterior, lacks some of the features we'd normally expect on a church.

Generally, as this blog is limited to architecture, and not theology or doctrine, no comment has been made on those topics anywhere here on this blog. Here a slight exception will be made as while this church is officially called the Church of the Holy Family, the sign for the church points to "Holy Family Anglican Catholic Church". This is not a Roman Catholic Church, and is not claiming to be one, nor is it a Catholic Church featuring "Anglican Use". As those who have followed these topics are aware, some formally Episcopal or Anglican parishes have come into the Roman Catholic church with the "Anglican Use", i.e., preserving the Book of Common Prayer.

This is a bit of a confusing topic, but generally what this story reflects is the development of a centuries old dispute in the Episcopal Church about the degree to which the Episcopal Church claims to be Protestant, or Catholic. The dispute is an internal one, and the Episcopal Church is not regarded as Catholic by any of the Catholic Rites nor by the Catholic Church itself. The Episcopal dispute has become particularly acute in recent years, resulting in some formerly Episcopal churches separating themselves with the distinction of naming themselves Anglican or Anglican Catholic, thereby signalling that they view themselves as looking to the theology of the Catholic Church rather than to Protestant theologies and that they regard developments in the Episcopal Church in chief (or the Anglican Communion in chief) sufficient distressing that they are separating from what would otherwise be the local Bishops, and aligning themselves with Bishops who hold their views. In Casper, this has lead to the interesting situation in which there are now two Anglican churches, (the other being the Church of the Resurrection) but they are not aligned with the same Bishops.

This note was added not to enter this dispute, but so as to make sure that this entry isn't confusing for Anglicans, should they stop by, nor for Catholics, should they stop by, as this Church is not regarded as a Catholic Church by Catholics, and it is one of two Anglican Churches in Casper.

Grace Lutheran Church, Casper Wyoming

This modern architecture Lutheran church arguably is outside of the architectural focus of this blog, but as the church is located on the edge of Casper's downtown district it is included for completeness.

This small church replaced an older, more traditionally styled church, several decades ago. I know very little about the church other than that I've been inside of it once to attend a wedding and it's surprisingly small. A class room type building adjoins it, and takes up much of the lot on which it sits.

Holscher's Hub: Catholic Church in Nagoya, Japan, mid 1950s

Holscher's Hub: Catholic Church in Nagoya, Japan, mid 1950s

Something a little different this time, a Catholic Church in Nagoya, Japan, mid 1950s:

First United Methodist Church of Buffalo, Wyoming

This church was added on to over the years, with the original portion having been built in 1898.

Elk Mountain, Wyoming

I don't know, or no longer know, the denomination of this church in the rural town of Elk Mountain, Wyoming. This is, in part, because this photo was taken in 1986.

St. Matthews Episcopal Cathedral, Laramie Wyoming

This is the impressive St. Matthews Episcopal Cathedral in Laramie, Wyoming. This photograph was one I took in 1986, but the Cathedral appears largely the same today.

One oddity about this Cathedral is that the Episcopal diocese's offices are actually in Casper, Wyoming. While I don't know for sure, I think that this likely reflects the age of this cathedral, which is fairly old. At the time it was built, only southern Wyoming was relatively populated, and Laramie was a bit of a center of culture, being the site of the university, and of certain English interests that had entered the ranching industry and headquartered there. "Ivinson Street", for example, is named after one such family. The Cathedral does have a large administrative building, built in a Gothic style, which were likely the Diocese's administrative offices.


In later years, Cheyenne or Casper would prove to be more logical administrative centers, and in recent years the Episcopal Church apparently chose Casper as their administrative headquarters.

An adjoining courtyard to the Cathedral features a nice World War One memorial.

St. Laurence O'Toole Catholic Church, Laramie Wyoming

This is St. Laurence O'Toole Catholic Church in Laramie, Wyoming.

I'll confess that while I took this photograph, I took it quite a while back. In 1986, to be specific. But the church appears the same today, as it did then.

This parish has been in existence, under this name, for quite some time. The church depicted here, however, was dedicated in 1926. The church is one of two Catholic churches in Laramie, the other being a Newman Center.

I've always thought the roof tiles of this church to be both unique, and attractive.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Buffalo Wyoming

This is St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Buffalo Wyoming. It was built in 1889. Oddly enough, it's one of two St. Luke's in Buffalo, the other being a Lutheran Church across town.

St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Buffalo Wyoming

Classically styled Lutheran Church, St. Luke's, in Buffalo Wyoming. It's one of two "St. Luke's" in Buffalo, which is a fairly small town, the other being the Episcopal Church.

Union Congregationalist Church, Buffalo Wyoming

I don't know the history of this Congregationalist Church just off the main street in Buffalo Wyoming. It's a classically styled rural church, but I don't know anything else about it.

House Of Our Shepard, Powder River Wyoming

This is House of Our Shepard in Powder River, Wyoming. Powder River is a small, unincorporated, town in western Natrona County, Wyoming.

Immaculate Conception Church, Rapid City South Dakota

This is Immaculate Conception Church (formerly chapel) in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota. This Catholic church is somewhat unique for the region in that it says its masses, one daily and one on Sunday morning, in Latin, using the Tridentine Mass.

The church obviously once had another name, as the corner stone reveals, which appears to have been St. Mary's, but I do not know the history of this particular church.

Cathedral of the Holy Family, Tulsa Oklahoma

  

These photographs were taken in low light, and therefore they are unfortunately not too good.

These depict Tulsa's Catholic Cathedral, Holy Family Cathedral. Like the other Tulsa churches depicted here, this Cathedral is located in a downtown district featuring many churches. The Cathedral features Gothic and Romanesque architecture and was built in 1914. It was the tallest building in Tulsa at the time it was built. It's a much better looking church than these photographs would suggest.

The church was not built as a cathedral, but became one when Diocese of Tulsa was established in 1972.

First United Methodist Church of Tulsa, Tulsa Oklahoma

This Gothic architecture church in the First United Methodist Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It's located in the downtown district where the other Tulsa churches depicted here are. I do not know the age of this church but I'd guess that it was built after 1910 but before 1930.

First Presbytrian Church, Tulsa Oklahoma

 This is the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. As is obvious from the photograph, this church was undergoing extensive construction at the time I photographed it in October, 2011. The church was built in 1926.

Like the nearby Roman Catholic Holy Family Cathedral, this church as both Gothic and Romanesque features.

First Christian Church, Tulsa Oklahoma

This unusual church is the First Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Located in downtown Tulsa, in a district which includes several classically styled churches, this church, which I otherwise know nothing about, was dedicated in 1940.

The church has a very Byzantine appearance, and upon seeing it I mistook it for a Greek Orthodox Church. The unusual appearance is somewhat accentuated by the presence of a Christian Scientist church across the street, which I did not photograph as it was fully in shadow at the time I was there, which also features a very large dome and Greek classical features. The church is extremely Eastern in appearance, and while a beautiful structure, this choice of architecture is curious for the denomination.

Oregon Trail State Veteran's Cemetary Chapel, Natrona County Wyoming

This is the chapel at the Oregon Trail Veteran's Cemetery in Natrona County, Wyoming.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Cathedral

This Cathedral's exterior, while impressive in its own right, is a bit deceptive as the interior is extremely impressive and very large. This is the Roman Catholic Cathedral for the Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota.

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Shoshoni Wyoming

This is St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Shoshoni, Wyoming. The small church is served by the nearby larger parish in Riverton.

This church, like Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Gillette Wyoming, has been converted from some other use, but it is a nicely done exterior, and gives the impression of a Church in the Southwest as a result.

Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Denver

This is the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Denver Colorado, the Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral. It's in a neighborhood with heavy traffic, so these photographs were taken from a vehicle, making them less than ideal. The Cathedral offices, which look like a Greek Orthodox Church, are on the same ground and are also included here. Theotokos roughly translates as Mother of God, so the Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Community Church, Chugwater Wyoming

Community Church, Chugwater Wyoming. All I know about it is the name.

Mountain View Community Church, Ft. Collins, Colorad

This is a terrible photograph, but it was taken fro a moving vehicle and it was my only opportunity to take the photo. This church was obviously built a long time ago, and no doubt for some other congregation. It's a large, Gothic style church located quite near downtown.

Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Mission Church, Wright Wyoming

This is Blessed Sacrament Mission Church, a Roman Catholic Church in Wright Wyoming. The Church is served by the priest in Gillette Wyoming. The Church is in a pretty location, overlooking the small town of Wright.

First United Methodist Church Newcastle Wyoming

This is the First United Methodist Church in downtown Newcastle Wyoming.

Christ Episcopal Church Newcastle Wyoming

This is Christ Episcopal Church in Newcastle Wyoming, making this the second Episcopal Church in Wyoming with that name that I'm aware of. It's an older church, but otherwise I don't know anything further about it. It is somewhat difficult to photograph due to the very large tree that is in front of it. Unfortunately, one of my "from the truck" photographs was at an angle, also making for a poor photograph.

Christ Episcopal Church Douglas Wyoming

This is Christ Episcopal Church in Douglas Wyoming. It's an older church, on a downtown corner, but otherwise I don't know anything more about it.

St. James' Roman Catholic Church, Douglas Wyoming

This contemporary styled Roman Catholic Church is St. James' Roman Catholic Church in Douglas Wyoming.

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Wheatland Wyoming

This is St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Wheatland Wyoming.