Christ At Coal Creek

While on holiday recently I revisted Coal Creek Heritage Museum, as my last visit there would have been some 28 years ago on a primary school excursion. Historic, hey?

While strolling the various heritage buildings I paused for some moments in a little old church. The interior decor was striking, for despite its simplicity it depicted a complexity of emotions.

My attention was immediately drawn to a framed velvet artwork in the left corner behind the pulpit, which I photographed as shown here. I later learned that it is a reproduction of Hofmann's Christ In Gethsemane.

Further research revealed that the German artist's (1824-1911) religious works were symbolic of the profound faith that guided his life and fed his creative genius. He painted subjects from literature and mythology, but is best known for his paintings of the life of Christ. Deeply affected by his beloved mother’s death, Hofmann was inspired to paint his first large religious work, “The Burial of Christ”. Interestingly, he was deeply devout and diligently studied the Bible before painting any scene from Christ’s life, strongly believing that unless someone was moved to their innermost soul while painting religious subjects, they were incapable of the task.

During these weeks of Lenten reflection I've been constantly reminded that the gospel is deeply personal. Yes, the sacrifice of Christ was deeply personal and continues to deepen within me a greater personal appreciation of the extent of God's love.

As I left that little church at Coal Creek, I took with me a deeper desire for personal spiritual engagement summed up well by the words on a plaque by the door.

Whosoever thou art that enterest this Church,

Remember it is the House of God.

Be reverent,

Be silent,

Be thoughtful,

And leave it not without a prayer to God

For thyself,

For those who minister,

And those who worship here.