518 High Street

Saint Paul's Catholic Church Memorial Marker
518 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia
circa 1865 (?)

Here is my find today in my lettering and topography quest near the Tidewater Community College | Visual Arts Center | 340 High Street.

This is a memorial marker which stands almost exactly on the corner of Washington Street and High Street. It is dedicated to the priests which have served this congregation and died here while doing so. Notice the dates and terms of service for some of these people; a couple priests were here a very long time.

top middle inscription:
"ERECTED
BY A GRATEFUL PEOPLE
IN THE MEMORY OF THE PRIESTS
WHO DIED IN THEIR SERVICE"

This monument is carved out of gray stone.

On the top portion of the base, the lettering is carved in a raised relief and each letter is rounded which is quite sculptural. This lettering at first glance appears to be a sans serif typeface, but upon closer inspection there is a thickening at the terminations of each stroke which give this lettering a bit more heaviness which visually holds the lettering "in place" so to speak. It really is a quite artistic choice of typeface for this religious monument--an almost a humanist typeface--which actually is quite fitting since this is a thank you to the priests who have served. I suspect the person who did the original monument was an accomplished craftsman.

On the bottom base, the lettering is a Roman serif typeface and it was added later as necessary. This lower base piece is almost certainly sandblasted, which is the common way to add information to stone currently, using a a pre-made rubber stencil to ensure the proper character forms.

I love to find monuments dedicated to the good service that someone has done; rather than to the destruction of anything, as many monuments are to this day. To see sculpture that is witty and intriguing, even interactive, sets my soul to singing, rather than to death or sad thoughts. To see colorful and fun art & architecture which inspires the mind and makes the body jitter; rather than just barely functional (I mean it keeps the rain out) buildings. I yearn for to live in a golden age, now.

Other urban topography & lettering photos in this series:

In Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia
All Saints Chapel : 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Historical Placard Q 8A : 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
1763 Grave Marker : 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
FOOTE Memorial Stone : 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Two Crosses : 500 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Bangel Law Building : 505 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Portsmouth Public Library : 606 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Pythian Castle : 600-612 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Towne Bank Building : 200 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Coffee House Facade : 300 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Near The Bay Antiques & Collectables : 307-309 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Chapman Building : 310 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Café Europa : 319 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
The Lobscouser : 337 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
New Kirn Building : 339 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Dollar General : 326 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Corner Stone for Yovng Men's Christian Association building : 541 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Saint Paul's Catholic Church Memorial Marker : 518 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Yovng Men's Christian Association building : 541 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia, USA

In downtown Norfolk, Virginia
Martin Building : 300 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Velvet Lounge : 332 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Madison Hotel : 345 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia, USA
The Fontaine Room : 345 Granby Street, Norfolk, Virginia, USA