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Ed Richards
17-Jan-2011, 15:00
As some of you know, the core theme of my South Louisiana work is that I am documenting churches and communities that will eventually be washed away. On Friday I was reminded that there are other threats as well. This is the before picture of the 150 year old Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, LA:

http://www.epr-art.com/galleries/b4a-la-ca-churches/photos/1861.jpg

The church was consumed by a fire in less than 30 minutes:

http://www.epr-art.com/galleries/b4a-la-ca-churches/photos/2263.jpg

For more before and after images, see the 2nd and 3rd rows:

http://www.epr-art.com/galleries/b4a-la-ca-churches/

Brian C. Miller
17-Jan-2011, 15:17
Wow, that's sad. I did a news search, and KATC has a story and video (http://www.katc.com/news/update-church-fire-in-washington/). Saw someone in the video with a camera, then I realised it couldn't be you because he was holding a 35mm.

Deane Johnson
17-Jan-2011, 15:59
Very sad to have this happen.

Your photo work is gorgeous. How great it is that someone is doing this type of high quality documentation before these beautiful structures are gone, for whatever reason.

Bob Kerner
17-Jan-2011, 17:13
So tragic. Hopefully the congregation can take some comfort from your wonderful first photograph, perhaps as a motivation to rebuild and renew.

Bob

Ed Richards
17-Jan-2011, 18:08
Bob,

They are taking even more comfort in the good planning of the priest - it was fully insured. I expect to go back and photograph the new church going up.:-)

Kirk Gittings
17-Jan-2011, 19:55
Now isn't it a great thing that you photographed that church! Good for you! Another unsung hero with a LF camera. I can't tell you how many historic buildings or pristine landscapes I have photographed that were destroyed, making my images valuable historic documents.

Scott Walker
17-Jan-2011, 20:20
Sad to see beautiful old structures disappear, on a good note you have done a wonderfull job of capturing it while at it's best.

Jeffrey Sipress
17-Jan-2011, 21:55
It's a shame. Certainly strengthens my stance on never being a 'believer'!

Steve M Hostetter
20-Jan-2011, 06:26
Very tragic indeed! I'd collect the antique nails laying around prolly everyone is hand made! worth somethin

Ed Richards
20-Jan-2011, 21:13
Steve,

The parishioners are doing just that, plus anything else that survived the fire.

I created a separate page for these images, and I am scanning a second round to post over the weekend:

http://www.epr-art.com/galleries/b4a-i_c_church/

eddie
21-Jan-2011, 05:30
wow.

do you have a shot of the burned down church from the same angle and spot you shot the original from? i would find it interesting.

great photos BTW.

Ed Richards
21-Jan-2011, 19:39
This was the closest I could get to the same location as the original position:

http://www.epr-art.com/galleries/b4a-i_c_church/photos/2293.jpg

I have added some new shots to the site.