A Small Delight on Its Own Island
There’s a small oasis newly planted between Philipsburg Manor restoration and the Old Dutch Church. It’s called Statue Island because that is where The Headless Horseman statue keeps watch for Halloween. The newly opened garden and walkways on Statue Island is a small place with all kinds of plantings, the larger ones providing protection from cars driving north and south, but it’s surprising how peaceful and calm it might seem. Park at the small convenience store just behind the island and saunter over, crossing over the little-used roadway. Meanwhile, here are some lovely pictures of it that Anne White took:
Photos by Anne White
A Trip to St. John the Divine
Earlier this month, a band of adventurous Kendalites took a lovely sojourn to the Cathedral Church of St. John the Devine, the mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The visit was eye-opening — and not only because of its majestic interior, its magnificent stained-glass windows, or its marvelous carvings.
Photo by Hildegarde Gray
At present, a stunning, site-specific textile installation — Divine Pathways — is on view in the vaulted Nave of the cathedral, featuring red, blue, and gold fabric. The cathedral says it this way: “ . . . created in concert with communities and organizations from across the Morningside Heights neighborhood, New York City, and the Episcopal Diocese of New York . . . community members were invited to write their hopes, dreams, and prayers onto the ribbons that make up the piece. Individual prayers are anonymous and beyond the viewer’s sight, but their collective presence creates an experience that is both intimate and immense.”
The installation continues through June 2024.
Photo by Cynthia Ferguson
Meanwhile, Kendalites found the “every day” aspects of the cathedral to be awe-inspiring in their beauty.
Photos by Hildegarde Gray
St. John the Devine holds a special place in several Kendalite’s hearts. Hildegarde Gray’s grandfather’s funeral was held there. The cathedral was a very familiar sight to Rema Sessler, when she lived just down the road at 112th Street. And Cynthia Ferguson and her husband were married there in the St. James chapel.
Photo from Cynthia Ferguson — the bride.