177 Comments for James Clemens House

Unfortunately this wonderful place suffered catastrophic fire in 2017 and was completely demolished in 2018.

The character 聖 on the other side means “holy,” so “holy mother”

Doran - I wonder if that's the symbol for father on the right. In my experience, Mary would have been on the left and Joseph holding Jesus on the right. Thanks for sharing!

Turns out that there was another Chinese character hidden on the other side. Here's a picture of the full original front of the chapel, post-fire. https://c1.staticflick...742_d970faf65a_b.jpg

Makes sense, thanks Matthew!

The stacks of bricks were to help support the weight of the statues (likely Mary and Joseph) from the alcoves. From their original height, they could not be tipped on their side for carrying by a ad-hoc crew without toppling completely. By lowering the statues to the height of the bricks, they could lay the statues on their side, and carry them out.

Wow, the chapel too, what a shame... sounds like arson. Thanks for the update.

It just burned down. :( http://www.stltoday.co...9f-a17b120ed4d8.html

Wish I could smile, but this just depresses me. The chapel looks as if it was so beautiful.

Good eye - although it seems like the original ceiling plaster followed the curve of the topmost arch, then met the wall at an angle, which explains why the wall plaster ends there. The metal lathe used to back the plaster along that curve can be seen hanging there.

Coming back to this gallery I find it interesting that the wall plaster doesn't go higher than what we think is the lowered ceiling. Other than the arch it doesn't look like the ceiling was ever any higher. Just my theory.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu_(negative) It does say that it is a key word in Buddhism, it would make sense that when the Buddhist group moved in they put this symbol.

Doesn't it make sense that this icon was added in the early 2000s when a Buddhist group had moved in? Seems fairly straightforward. Perhaps the false ceiling was installed by subsequent tenants.

Very much enjoying your site. Lots of work and time invested - thanks. It's been so much fun reading, learning and looking at your gorgeous images.

I would have like to see move inside the house. The kitchen, the bedrooms...always so interesting to peer into the past via these rooms.

its beautiful with the porch..I like it with out the porch also..i find it interesting there is a door at the peak that lead into the porch roof..