The Rustic and the Reverent....

Today's excursion was a study in contrasts: two historical structures, both made of stone, but created at different periods in time, and existing for very different purposes. Even the visitor's experience, from my perspective, would be very different at both of these structures.

Stonehenge seems to grow ever more rustic, enigmatic and mysterious as the years pass, and even during the class visit today that sense of mystery seemed reinforced by keeping the crowds far back from the structure itself, forcing visitors to only observe and contemplate Stonehenge from a distance. I do realize that this distance is enforced in the interest of preservation of the structure itself, but akin to visiting a museum, it's difficult for me to truly appreciate the significance of a historical artifact without being able to see it up close.

But despite this limitation, I came away from Stonehenge with many photos and many questions to ponder, for as iconic a status this structure now commands for both historians and visitors alike, its true purpose still continues to remain a mystery.

The "detached" experience at Stonehenge would be further emphasized once our class visited Salisbury Cathedral. In contrast, we had the opportunity to explore and experience most of this magnificent worship space up close and in detail, which is obviously something that is already expected for a functioning parish.

Coming away from visiting now two historically significant and classically designed churches is the deep sense of reverence that they seem to project, in spite of being such large structures. That sense of reverence can be felt at a very personal level by the individual parishioner. And that much, in my opinion, is no mystery!