“Centennial Sunset” Painting by Joshua Cunningham

Last year, longtime parishioner and professional plein-air artist Joshua Cunningham was inspired to paint our historic parish church on the occasion of its 100-year anniversary.

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The original image, pictured here (and on the front cover of the February 25, 2024 bulletin), now hangs in our Heritage Room along with the following descriptive note written by Joshua. 

We are deeply indebted to him for his gracious and generous sharing of his talents with all of us — and with generations to come. Thank you, Joshua!

This painting shows the low September sun shining through the world around our church, washed by the rain from passing showers. A visual expression of the experience for all who have come to our church over the years after the passing storms in their lives. 

The evening rays paint the last summer leaves in rich, warm light, creating colors that suggest the coming fall, marking the beginning of another wonderful school year, the crescendo of the County Fair, and rhythms of school and sacraments to follow. 

Above the wet street reflections are the last summer flowers, the front stairs for wedding photos, and funeral farewells. The stone walls soar up, framing the stained glass. Those windows tell stories from our faith and, by example, show us how we can hold up our broken pieces, inviting His light to shine through. 

We see the Lord’s forgiveness and mercy, like sunlight through the rain, transform us like a rainbow. “I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth” (Genesis 9:13). One of God’s bows bends towards our school, in whose auditorium the parish celebrated her first Masses, and all that continues to flow from our faithful participation in the blessed Eucharist.

— Joshua Cunningham

Learn more about Joshua and his vocation as artist at thecatholicspirit.com/news/local-news/plein-air-artist-reflects-on-complementarity-of-painting-and-faith.