LatinosUSA

Hi everyone, it’s Robbie Cheadle here with you today with my January post in the Buildings & Architecture Photography section on LatinosUSA – English Edition. For this post, I am focusing on Places of Worship.

Next week, is a Jackpot Photography post and I’ll be sharing photographs of Bridges.

If you have a photograph of a bridge to share in the Jackpot Bridges section, please email me at cheadlerobbie@gmail.com and use the title Photography – Jackpot Bridges. Please also include a short write up about your photograph.

Painting at St Botolph’s Church at Hardham in East Sussex by Derrick Knight

Derrick Knight has a fantastic blog that includes interesting book reviews, photographs, and family anecdotes. The below information and extract is from the following blog post by Derrick: https://derrickjknight.com/2014/01/24/st-george-to-the-rescue/. Do go over and read the rest of this post. Take a look around while you are there.

Three years on, in July 1967, I discovered St Botolph’s Church at Hardham in East Sussex. A simple two-cell stone building of very early Norman style that is Grade 1 listed, this place of worship, dating from the 12th century, contains the earliest almost complete series of wall paintings in England, and in particular the earliest reproductions of St George, the patron saint of England. Like many such wall decorations these lay under whitewash for centuries until they were uncovered in 1866.

Wishing to photograph the paintings in natural light with my Olympus OM2, I only found one  scene that I thought would be in receipt of sufficient illumination. To me, at that time, it was just a man with a rather long spear on horseback. The light coming from the single east window on that day must have been shining on me as well, for I had unwittingly photographed St George fighting at Antioch in 1098, at which engagement he was believed to have made a miraculous appearance to help the Crusaders, about which I have only read comparatively recently. Here he smites the infidels with a lance. He was thought to have turned the battle.

Bath Abbey by Robbie Cheadle

Bath Abbey has a history spanning over 1,300 years as it evolved from a 7th-century Saxon convent to the grand Perpendicular Gothic church that exists today. The existing Bath Abbey was primarily built in the late 15th/early 16th century by Bishop Oliver King after the Normal cathedral fell into ruin. The design of Bath Abbey was inspired by a dream of angels ascending and descending a ladder. You can see my picture of the Ladder of Angels below.

In 973 AD, the Saxon abbey hosted the coronation of Edgar, the first King of all England.

Architecture and Place of Worship in Malaysia by Christina Chin

Batu Caves, located just outside Kuala Lumpur, is a stunning representation of Hindu architecture and culture in Malaysia. The complex features a series of limestone caves and cavernous temples dedicated primarily to Lord Murugan. Its most iconic element is the 142-foot-high statue of Lord Murugan, which stands majestically at the base of the limestone hill. 

The vibrant and intricately carved structures, adorned with Hindu motifs and bright colors, reflect the influence of traditional South Indian temple architecture. The site serves not only as a place of worship but also as a major pilgrimage destination, especially during the Thaipusam festival, attracting thousands of devotees and tourists each year.

Click on each image in the tiled slideshow to enlarge.

Find Christina Chin

Blogs:

https://christinachin99blog.wordpress.com/

https://haikuzyg.blogspot.com/

Regular poetry and video contributor to LatinosUsa and Chewers Masticadores https://latinosenglishedition.blog/2026/01/15/video-1-a-butterfly-on-my-skin-book-2-by-christina-chin-and-m-r-defibaugh/

THF Haiga Galleries, July 2025, Christina Chin (Art/Haiku) and translations to Japanese by Takatoshi Goto: http://THF Haiga Galleries, July 2025 Christina Chin (Art/Haiku) and translations to Japanese by Takatoshi Goto https://thehaikufoundation.org/thf-galleries-haiga-of-christina-chin-and-takatoshi-goto/

THF Haiga Galleries, November 2024, Christina Chin (haiku), Randall Vemer (photos): https://thehaikufoundation.org/thf-galleries-flower-haiga-of-christina-chin-and-randall-vemer-2/

THF Haiga Galleries, June 2024, Christina Chin (haiku), Randall Vemer (photos): https://thehaikufoundation.org/thf-galleries-flower-haiga-of-christina-chin-and-randall-vemer/

St Mary’s College Church by Andrew McDowell

You can find author and poet, Andrew McDowell, on his blog here: https://andrewmcdowellauthor.com/blog/

Andrew has some wonderful books which you can learn more about on his Amazon US author page here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andrew-McDowell/author/B08MVFN9TL

Or on his blog which includes universal links and other purchase outlets here: https://andrewmcdowellauthor.com/publications/

This is a church on the campus of my alma mater, St. Mary’s College of Maryland. I did go inside it once or twice during classes, but I can well remember walking among the graves and looking out on the St. Mary’s River numerous times, both in the afternoon and in the evening. Those walks gave me a sense of peace and calm away from the stresses of college.

The Chapel of the Holy Cross by
Laura Putman

Laura’s beautiful blog is is dedicated to nature conservation and promoting organizations that are dedicated to climate change and to saving wildlife.

This is a link to Laura’s latest blog post: https://lauraputmanphotography.wordpress.com/2026/01/11/on-the-brink-the-western-lowland-gorilla/

The Chapel was commissioned by local rancher and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, who had been inspired in 1932 by the newly constructed Empire State Building to build such a church. 

After an attempt to do so in Budapest, Hungary (with the help of Lloyd Wright, son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright) was aborted due to the outbreak of World War II, she decided to build the church in her native region.

Richard Hein was chosen as project architect, and the design was executed by architect August K. Strotz, both from the firm of Anshen & Allen. 

The chapel is built on Coconino National Forest land; the late Senator Barry Goldwater assisted Staude in obtaining a special-use permit. 

The construction supervisor was Fred Courkos, who built the chapel in 18 months at a cost of US$300,000.

The chapel was completed in 1956.

Miriam Hurdle

Miriam Hurdle is a talented writer and poet. Her books are available from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Miriam-Hurdle/author/B07K2MCSVW

Miriam also has a lovely blog where she posts poetry, book reviews, and updates about her family and daily life. You can find her latest post here: https://theshowersofblessings.com/2026/01/08/2025-year-in-review/

My husband and I visited St. Peter’s Basilica on our first day in Rome on June 9, 2025. The tour included the climb to the top of the dome, but we skipped that because we had an evening meeting.

St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it’s one of the most renowned works of Italian Renaissance and Baroque architecture, housing immense artistic treasures, representing the heart of Catholicism. It is the largest church in the world by interior measure. It was a multi-generational project led by famous Renaissance and Baroque architects. Donato Bramante started it in 1506, Michelangelo took it over in 1546, Carlo Maderno added the nave and facade, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini designed the famous square and interior elements. The work was completed in 1626.

Michelangelo designed the dome, and it was completed after his death. It’s famous for its mosaics and intricate decorations. It’s approximately 136.57 meters (448.1 feet) tall from the floor to the top of the cross and takes 551 steps for the full climb. Bernini designed the Baldacchino, which is an ornate bronze canopy standing over St. Peter’s tomb and the Chair of St. Peter. The church celebrates Holy Mass multiple times daily in Italian, with specific times for Sundays/holidays.

Please view the three dome photographs in the slideshow below:

Suzette Benjamin

Photograph contributed by Suzette Benjamin. You can find more of Suzette’s lovely photography on her blog here: https://suzetteb.home.blog/

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada’s Robertson-Wesley United Church was consecrated in 1914. The architectural style is High Victorian Gothic Revival. Its facade is made of brick and stone, with a steeple reaching 30 meters (98 feet) high. 

About Robbie Cheadle

South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, written and illustrated four poetry books and written and illustrated one celebration of cake and fondant art book with recipes. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

Social Media Links

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle
TSL Publications: https://tslbooks.uk/product-tag/robbie-cheadle/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robbie-Cheadle/author/B01N9J62GQ
Unsplash profile: https://unsplash.com/@r_cheadle