Doors

I have a thing for doors. These doors are the entrance to a Philadelphia restaurant called Buddakan. They’re pretty fabulous, aren’t they?

Art Deco Doors

I have a mild obsession with doors and especially enjoy art deco design. I noticed this door in the New York City neighborhood of Chelsea. Interesting design is becoming a thing of the past as modern architecture becomes increasingly bland.

A few details here and there really do make a difference in the appearance of a space and make it seem much more inviting.

Wouldn’t you like to know what’s on the other side?

Tree Doors

Doors capture my attention everywhere I go. Fancy or plain, it makes no difference. While I notice and photograph doors often, these are the most unusual ones I’ve had the pleasure to see in person.

You’ll find them on the entrances at Aullwood Arboretum near Dayton. I wrote about it this fall when I visited the forest giants (or trolls) that were created by artist Thomas Dambo. You can read that story here.

It’s a beautiful trail system with a nice nature center that I imagine is lovely to visit all year. It was especially pretty in the fall and I’m scheming to see it in snow this winter.

Meanwhile, if you visit, pay attention to the doors when you enter. They’re pretty fabulous.

Red Doors

There’s just something about heavy wooden doors on a church or red doors on any building to draw me in. These doors are attached to the Christ Episcopal Church in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

This imposing limestone building is larger than life and even more beautiful in person. The Gothic Revival design does sort of resemble a fortress but I like to think that’s to keep the devil out.

The congregation was founded in 1867 and the original brick church built two years later. The town sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers so it has seen some pretty bad floods and the original church suffered for it.

That first building was demolished in 1919. The congregation held services in a hotel down the street until this new house of worship was available for its first service on Christmas Day 1923.

As far as the red doors are concerned, there is some symbolism to be considered. Many churches use red doors to symbolize the blood of Christ while some people believe that a red door protects occupants from evil.

I once read that church doors were painted red in England during the Middle Ages to signify safety as no one would commit a crime or do harm on Holy Ground. I’m not sure that’s true today but it’s a nice idea.

Whatever the reason or the symbolism, they sure do make for a pretty picture and something special to see on your journeys.

St. Paul Catholic Church

I haven’t forced you to look at any churches or doors for a while. This photo kills two birds with one stone, so to speak.

The church is St Paul Catholic Church in Athens. In a town with a lot to look at, it’s easily missed even though it is along the beaten path.

The congregation has been around for a long time and was founded by Irish immigrants. There’s even a tie to the communities of Wilkesville and Zaleski which are near to me. They tell the story of that past on their website in case you’re interested in learning more.

It has some gorgeous attention to detail including the doors, stained glass and that small white cross.

St. Paul’s Catholic Church

I haven’t forced you to look at any churches or doors for a while. This photo kills two birds with one stone, so to speak.

The church is St Paul Catholic Church in Athens. In a town with a lot to look at, it’s easily missed even though it is along the beaten path.

The congregation has been around for a long time and was founded by Irish immigrants. There’s even a tie to the communities of Wilkesville and Zaleski which are near to me. They tell the story of that past on their website in case you’re interested in learning more.

It has some gorgeous attention to detail including the doors, stained glass and that small white cross.