Plum Street Temple

I'd like to see proof of a more beautiful building anywhere in Cincinnati. To tell you the truth, I may never have been in a more beautiful building anywhere.





I've been aching to visit the Plum Street Temple ever since Dan and I visited City Hall. Unfortunately, the temple only gives tours on Thursday mornings, when your typical nine-to-fivers are already at work. So! Dan and I took a vacation day to visit the Moorish-Byzantine style temple-- absolutely worth the trip.

Our tour guide was a somewhat crotchety older gentleman who is both a member of the congregation and part of the group that planned the massive renovations that the temple underwent in the mid-90s. He was very well versed in all the changes Plum Street Temple has been through, as he's been involved since the 80s.

Take the tour of Plum Street Temple and hear a detailed and beautiful story about Isaac M. Wise, the most gorgeous building in the city, and the beginning of Reform Judaism. From Wikipedia:

During his lifetime Wise was regarded as the most prominent Reform Jew of his time in the United States. His genius for organization was of a very high order; and he was masterful, rich in resources, and possessed of an inflexible will. More than of any of his contemporaries, it may be said of him that he left the imprint of his personality upon the development of Reform Judaism in the United States.

Plum Street Temple: http://www.wisetemple.org/?page=buildings

Covington Cathedral

I'm not Catholic, but (greater) Cincinnati sure is. Take a gander at "St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption," or simply "Covington Cathedral."






I can imagine spending every Sunday morning in a gorgeous church like this one. You could spend a lifetime where without taking in all the detail in this enormous cathedral.

The church was open for visitors on the Saturday afternoon when we were there. I recommend taking a visit if you're in the area, perhaps to visit Carnegie?

Covington Cathedral: http://www.covcathedral.com/
Our full photoset: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rrrrred/sets/72157625145456316/

St. Peter in Chains Cathedral

It's amazing where you can find yourself, when you're killing time. Ever stepped inside St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, next to City Hall?





A few more photos (taken by Dan) here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rrrrred/sets/72157622771238078/
St. Peter's website: http://www.stpeterinchainscathedral.org/

Poll: $100 donation to a Cincinnati cause

In the past few years, I've managed a couple of other blogs that ran basic text ads on them. When I specifically ran them on my Year of Philanthropy blog, I promised I'd put any money I made off the ads toward something charitable.

Google doesn't cut you a check until you reach $100, though... and after essentially forgetting about the account, a check showed up in the mail today.

So! Tell me where to put the money!

There is a poll in the middle column of this blog, right under the RSS link and search bar. I've listed 6 off-the-top-of-my-head suggestions:

• WVXU, which I listen to every single morning and could scarcely live without
• Freestore Foodbank, which helps feed Cincinnati's hungry and poverty-stricken
• Cincinnati Historical Society, which I feel is rather self-explanatory
• National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a point of pride for Cincinnati
• Cincinnati Parks, because I particularly take Krohn Conservatory for granted
• Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church, my spiritual home

Alternately, you are welcome to write in an additional option, which will count for a vote. Simply leave a comment on this post (the button is at the TOP of the post, which is stupid) to do so.

This poll will run until next Friday (October 9th) until noon. Thank you for your input and I'll share the results in a little over a week!

P.S. [edit] If the poll gets 100+ votes, I'll double the donation.

Holy Cross-Immaculata

Holy Cross-Immaculata is an exquisite Catholic church atop Mt. Adams. Dan and I were there for a wedding this past weekend-- I'd never been before.

The view, as you can see, is a stunning as you get in Cincinnati-- it's one of the highest points.

Thing I just learned about the church: "Archbishop John Baptist Purcell decided to build the church while praying during a severe storm at sea. He promised God that if he survived, he would build a church on the city's highest point."

But the most beautiful parts of just about any church are inside. Take a look at the ornate altar of the Immaculata.

And the very very most beautiful thing was the bride, my friend and coworker Meredith (who now needs to update her Twitter handle). In the next post: her gorgeous reception at the Cincinnati Art Museum.









Holy Cross-Immaculata website: http://www.hciparish.org/