Presbyterians & others --- framed

Everything that can bloom continues to bloom around here --- all at once, with lilacs chiming in this week a month or more early. It's quite a sight.

Our jewel box of a First Presbyterian Church, rusticated block above stone and dating from 1908, was perfectly positioned yesterday afternoon for what I thought, patting myself on the back, was creative floral framing.

So here it is, first among white blossoms on trees in full bloom just north of the library, then resting on a cushion of pink blossoms on a tree in Constitution Park. I'm a flowering tree illiterate once we move beyond magnolias, redbuds and red haws, so you're going to have to identify these yourself.

First Presbyterian has what perhaps is the best interior in Chariton --- wonderful stained glass on three sides and a stained glass dome overhead. I think it was designed by our "other" (as opposed to William Perkins) architect, O.A. Hougland, but there seems to be no proof of that other than the fact several similar churches in southern Iowa can be attributed evidentially to him.

Other attempts at creative floral framing didn't work out that well, but here's the library --- also from Constitution Park, then with a redbud. (Will someone please take those faded plastic planters on the front steps to the landfill?)

And finally, for the amusement of my friends who occupied it last fall, here's Dual Gables with redbuds, then rising from tulips and daffodils.

The fresh coat of paint and restoration of exterior detail under way when they were here has been completed and new railings installed across the front.