200th Birthday of St. John Neumann

St. John Neumann Prayer Center in Peru.

2011 marks the 200th birthday of St. John Neumann, born March 28, 1811 in Bohemia. Neumann served in the Diocese of Toledo for several months in 1841, at St. Alphonsus parish in Peru.

For details of his local history, click HERE.

St. John Neumann's shrine is in Philadelphia; you can visit their website HERE.

St. Alphonsus, Peru

Here's a closeup of the old altar. Anyone have any idea what that mysterious mushroom/lamping looking thing is down in the right corner?

Father Kolb also carved those side altars as well.

Notice the Chair by the door. The place was once pretty darn ornate, now it's pretty simple, but it was tastefully done. The altar was probably the only real great loss.

It would appear i found Jeffrey's favorite picture...

Yes, that's St. John Neuman, whether you like it or not. On the picture above, i can't tell if that is a painting or if that is painted on the wall. I want to say painting, as it looks so close to the one below.

however...the painting is dated '77 with the name "eschels"

St. Alphonsus, Peru

This carving is of St. John Neuman talking to (kids i think) at the Carabin Home(more on that later) This carving is in the St. John Neuman Prayer center at St. Alphonsus.

Over the next day or so i will have a few posts regarding .... St. Alphonsus Peru, St. Joseph Monroeville, St. Paul Norwalk, and the former St. Peter's in Norwalk.

St. Alphonsus, Peru

Alex posted this picture, yesterday. It's so interesting that I fiddled with it for more detail.
According to church records, this altar was carved by Fr. Kolb, the pastor from 1900 to 1909. Remarkable work.