After a none-too welcome spring layoff, the Project returns! This week, we journey to West Oak Lane to venture a peek at St. Athanasius. I must admit that I had been driving regularly down Ogontz Avenue, not two blocks from it, for over a year before I even noticed it was there. Imagine my surprise, then, at finding a perfectly viable candidate!
Upper v. Lower Church: The winter of the Project's discontent is finished! Spring is upon us, and it means we can stop wasting our time with, ahem, less than worthy churches. The Project is through settling for less...it's time for the good stuff!
Anyhow, this is a surprisingly endearing church. In a rare twist, Athanasius is a church that is more impressive inside than outside. It’s bigger than you’d think, with a nice arching ceiling and some of the best stained glass windows we’ve seen—magnificent and huge, they’re the dominant feature on every wall. It’s also worth noting Athanasius has a serious passion for candles—they have real candles and candelabras packed into every nook and cranny, and every single one was lit. Apparently, the fire marshal is no match for the Lord!
Fat Girl Principle, v3: Our presence immediately brought us to the attention of Reverend Monsignor Herbert Brevard, the friendly, fast talking pastor. He made a direct beeline for us before mass, and spent quite a bit of time chatting about the church and the reasons that brought me there; he even made some recommendations for other worthy parishes I could add to the Project. Fortunately, he eschewed the “please stand up and introduce yourselves,” but then turned around and introduced us himself (He’d gotten our names ahead of time). It’s not normally my first choice to be called out by a priest, but he gave us a warm welcome as visitors, and the congregation even added an ovation. Not too shabby!
Size Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Ornamentation Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Overall Design Rating: 8 out of 10 crosses
