Monthly Archives: February 2016

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Another side trip on the Bourbon trail…

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This place is truly blessed.

This stop proves that often the most precious times are those that just happen without planning.  On the way to Heaven Hill distillery Brenda and I passed a beautiful Catholic church called St Rose Priory.  I’m going to share some pictures to show the beauty of this place.  We had a wonderful time with Fr. Kevin who shared some of this church’s rich history.  Since I had a technical failure (phone recording audio poorly) I’ll try my best to recall the things he described to us.  But mostly the pictures will tell the story of the beautiful presence of God in this place.

A somewhat unique feature carried from European churches is the cemetery for clergy being located closely to the church itself. This place is where many of the clergy that served here are laid to rest.
A somewhat unique feature carried from European churches is the cemetery for clergy being located closely to the church itself. This place is where many of the clergy that served here are laid to rest.
This view is overlooking the hillside in front of the church. The original cemetery where parishioners were buried was the hillside near the original church building.
This view is overlooking the hillside in front of the church. The original cemetery where parishioners were buried was the hillside near the original church building.

The beautiful view from this hilltop will literally take your breath away.  It’s little wonder the original priory was built here in 1807 and the church completed in 1809.  The church was named after St. Rose of Peru, the first American saint.

Impressive octagonal towers rise skyward giving the church it's hillside prominence.
Impressive octagonal towers rise skyward giving the church it’s hilltop prominence.

These towers are part of the church that was completed in 1854.  The interesting thing is the current church was built around the original and then the wall of the old church was removed from the interior to create this stunning Eucharistic Chapel.

Entering the church I was immediately struck with the absolutely gorgeous architecture. Yet the space provided a feeling of welcome and warmth.
Entering the church I was immediately struck with the absolutely gorgeous architecture. Yet the space provided a feeling of welcome and warmth.
I can not express all the feelings at the alter in front of the Last Supper scene.
I can not express all the feelings at the altar in front of the Last Supper scene.

  Along with the Last Supper there were other vignettes telling the story of the Christ, which was reflected in the stained glass.DSC_1262 DSC_1263

Not being Catholic I had to ask who this saint was.  Isidore was the laborer or farmer saint.  He lived in Spain during the later half of the 12th century.  Follow this link for more about St Isidore.

And standing in the rear of the sanctuary is St. Isidore, the Farmer. The Patron Saint that watches over the farming community here
And standing in the rear of the sanctuary is St. Isidore, the Farmer. The Patron Saint that watches over the farming community here.

For more information about this church and it’s location visit the Wiki site here…https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Rose_Priory.  Or, to learn more about holy places here in Kentucky visit http://www.kyholyland.org/

Well as I said in the beginning some of the best most precious times are those that are unplanned and this was one of them.

Now back onto the trail….

 

As always     Get Out, Be Safe, and Go Adventure.