Aurora's Elissa Davis, right, showed visitors an ark housing torah rolls of Jewish written law at Temple B'nai Israel in Aurora Sunday, May 17. The temple was among four Aurora houses of worship welcoming visitors during a "Discovering Sacred Architecture" tour. The May program was the second of three monthly sacred-architecture tours sponsored by Fox Valley Interfaith, an informal group of 75 clergy and community members.
Courtesy of Al Benson
Three Aurora churches and a synagogue hosted guided tours in a "Discovering Sacred Architecture" program from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17.
The public was invited. Admission was free.
Aurora churches participating were Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May St.; Our Savior Lutheran, 420 W. Downer Place; New England Congregational, 406 W. Galena Blvd.; and Temple B'nai Israel, 400 N. Edgelawn Drive.
The May program was the second of three monthly sacred-architecture tours sponsored by Fox Valley Interfaith, an informal group of 75 clergy and community members.
The series showcasing 11 houses of worship opened April 19 with guided tours in Batavia and Geneva.
The series concludes June 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. with tours at St. Charles churches. They are Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 N. Fifth Ave.; Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd.; and St. Patrick Catholic Church, 400 Cedar St. (2 to 4 p.m.).
Refreshments conclude each tour.
Geneva's Janet Bell, series coordinator, said, "A full year of planning has gone into 'Discovering Sacred Architecture.' We hope visitors will find it enriching and invite friends."
Founded in 2009, Fox Valley Interfaith has sponsored 15 programs and service projects. The group's goal is to raise public awareness and celebrate the rich diversity of local faith traditions.
For more information, contact Kaaren Smoot, Bahai Community, at wholisticmama@gmail.com or www.meetup.com/Kane-and-DuPage-County-Interfaith.
Aurora's Elissa Davis, right, showed visitors an ark housing torah rolls of Jewish written law at Temple B'nai Israel in Aurora Sunday, May 17. The temple was among four Aurora houses of worship welcoming visitors during a "Discovering Sacred Architecture" tour. The May program was the second of three monthly sacred-architecture tours sponsored by Fox Valley Interfaith, an informal group of 75 clergy and community members.
Courtesy of Al Benson
Geneva's Janet Bell, left, was among visitors given a "Discovering Sacred Architecture" tour by Nancy Rasey of Oswego at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora Sunday, May 17. Rasey detailed 24 stained-glass windows in Wesley's sanctuary. WUMC was among four Aurora churches that offered visitors guided tours. Bell coordinated single-Sunday tours in April, May and June.
Courtesy of Al Benson
Geneva's Janet Bell, left, was among visitors given a "Discovering Sacred Architecture" tour by Nancy Rasey of Oswego at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora Sunday, May 17. Rasey detailed 24 stained-glass windows in Wesley's sanctuary. WUMC was among four Aurora churches that offered visitors guided tours. Bell coordinated single-Sunday tours in April, May and June.
Courtesy of Al Benson