The Rosa Parks Cathedral...(photos)

Prefer the original. By a long shot.

Nope I like the non edited version. The darkness of the shot coupled with the light coming through the windows - and considering the subject matter - makes the lower one better in my eyes. In fact, OhioKimono, your best shot I have seen. Graffiti makes the shot. Very nice.

It is by far my favorite shot...I'm thinking about making a calender to sell in a year or so of these kinds of shots. Specifically, this I think should be the cover.

Man, that place must've been beautiful....once.

Just my opinion, but, it takes a special scumbag to paint graffiti on a church. Regardless of whether it's closed, it was still a house of worship.

Jeep - dead on man.

I am fascinated by Churches in a state of waste and ruin. They are my favorite subject of all time. Part of me wishes I could find more to photograph, yet I also know that for me to photograph such a place...it has to have had a tragic past as I only want to shoot them in a state of ruin.

It's tragic all around.

Those are great photos, OhioKimono. Best yet.

St. Anthony on Nebraska would be a great subject, but I think it's pretty well boarded up. I'll bet it was gorgeous in it's day.

i hate to admit it, but i know the graffiti artist in question
he is without a doubt one of the most famous graffiti artists in the world, that recently moved to detroit from california

i agree it's a complete bummer to see graffiti in a church (even an abandoned one)

if you want more information on the artist...

google image search http://goo.gl/wa6da

and his more fine art / portfolio site: http://revok1.com/
where he in fact has a post about an upcoming art show based on artifacts he found in detroit: http://revok1.com/blog/2012/07/revok-gilgamesh-video-by-noah-banks/

OK: I ran across an old church meandering my way down to Findlay one day last month somewhere East of I-75 in Hancock or Wood County that had a sign out front that said 1857, but it looked more like a barn than a church. I'll have to try and find it for you to investigate.

Upso, think you could put us in touch?

I think I'd enjoy trailing him a bit and documenting the work.

also..... Johnny, let me know :D

I need Toledo stuff to visit. Kind of running dry on subjects beyond vacant homes in the South End. There's ample buildings, but they are all sealed up. I need legal access or a insecure building.

I wonder if you could contact the Toledo Catholic Diocese and get permission to photograph St Anthonys?

Jeep - Where is it at? Most places won't let someone in....and if its in ruin its likely to be city owned or bank owned property.

1416 Nebraska Ave.
http://stanthonytoledo.com/history.aspx
It must have been beautiful in it's day. It's steeple is still a dominating sight on the skyline in that area.

Let me get this straight - this Revok loser defames a church and calls it art?

Meant to say deface, not defame.

You are quite correct. On both counts.

Dell, I get you.

All the same I find it symbolic and interesting...it reflects upon the state of Detroit. It's holy places, and grand past have been left to rot in favor of the 'thug' life. Materialism, corruption, and crime are the religion in that city....well reflected by the tag style art upon this once holy alter.

I agree with Sohio. If it meant that much to someone, they wouldn't have abandoned it in the first place. And what difference does it make either way? Edifices like this are a waste of money that could have been spent on better things, the only church you need is inside you.

By the way...I do NOT mean to defend vandals.

Often, when a building is empty, vandalism is one of the things that makes it impractical to restore it [along with damage from the elements].

I'm just saying...if we took care of things, it would not be an issue in the first place. Even a vacant structure can be maintained.