Wee Kirk Church, located south of Cedar Vale, Ks. Wee Kirk Church, located south of Cedar Vale, Ks. The Wee Kirk of the Valley By SB Mar. 3, 2012 We have many times in the past been fortunate to have been able to enjoy the picturesque serene countryside setting of The Wee Kirk of the Valley. Wee Kirk of the Valley was built by Lotus M. Day on his 80 acre farm 6 1/2 miles south of Cedar Vale, Kansas. This tiny chapel is on private land owned by the grandson of the Lotus M. Day and is currently not accessible to the public. The church is known as Wee Kirk is a Scottish word meaning little church and was opened to the public in 1964. Construction of the 8 by 14 foot chapel and was done in a year by Mr. Day. After Lotus Day suffered a heart attack, he decided to retire from Day Monument Company in Arkansas City, Kansas but retained a partnership, to fulfill a long held dream to build a tiny stone church that seats 12 to represent seating for the 12 apostles. A huge cross on Mt. Baldy is visible in the distance from the chapel. As you near the chapel to the right of it you will see a gazebo/pillared shelter with a bench that overlooks a pond and the area known as Lookout Valley. To enter, there is a gate that keeps the cattle out of the Wee Kirk yard. Across the top is written, I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122. Then a country turnstile to go through to reach the chapel. Steps on the turnstile bear the engraved message welcome, the other side the Lords House is Your House. Above the stile an archway gives the chapel name, The Wee Kirk of the Valley. The steeple of the chapel was made of copper. Inside the tiny sanctuary, the walls are of concrete, painted and marked to resemble stone. Mr Days used craftsmanship skills and abilities he had acquired during of a man 40 years working with masonry, marble and stone made memorials for others in his monument company. The floor is concrete covered with tile. Most of the sand blasting and chisel carving that in the course of the construction were done by Mr Day. When you open the door of the church it automatically plays the hymn, Bless This House In the front center of the church is a basket of Kansas flowers. Narrow windows are on each side of the structure. As the sunlight streams through the cross designed stained glass windows that adorn the chapel it lights up the pulpit, guest registry, both made of redwood, and the stone carvings by Mr. Day of the Last Supper and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. When the door is shut, indirect lighting also illuminates the carvings. The 6 ft. Statue of Christ that visitors see as you approach the chapel setting was designed by Mr. Day. One source indicated that the statue was sculpted in Italy. The statue was erected by Mr and Mrs. Lotus M Day and is made of white Carrara marble; and the base is granite. Jesus stands barefoot wearing a belted, caped robe, with his arms outstretched, hands open and palms up. The integral base on which he stands is cut to be a half-globe on top and a hexagonal slab at the bottom. The sculpture is mounted upon a square base with inscriptions on all four sides On the Front of the base: Come Unto Me, All Ye that Labor And Heavy Laden And I Will Give You Rest; Matthew 11:28. On one side of base: If Ye Love me, Keep My Commandments. John 14:15 On the other side of base: Lo, I Am With You Always Even Unto the End of the World; Matthew 28:30 On rear of base: Erected/1970-71/Mr. & Mrs. Lotus M. Day Jesus stands barefoot wearing a belted, caped robe, with his arms outstretched, hands open and palms up. The integral base on which he stands is cut to be a half-globe on top and a hexagonal slab at the bottom. The sculpture is mounted upon a square base with inscriptions on all four sides. My heritage from the ages gone was the privilege of enshrining sacred memories in the temple of memorial art; the privilege of creating the book of history in stone; the privilege of enriching the heritage of future generations: this is my calling, this was my mission to serve. ....Lotus M. Day Thousands of people from all parts of the world have visited The Wee Kirk of the Valley. Unfortunately, now you will see a sign that says Closed due to Vandalism. Sorry- stay out . Although the chapel is not open to the public, you can see it from the road. We dont know if you can call and get permission to visit the Wee Kirk.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 08:22:50 +0000
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