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Church Of The Sparrows-Cross
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Church Of The Sparrows
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This greeting card is a reproduction of "Church of the Sparrows" oil painting. It is produced from a semi-gloss quality photo paper which would be beautiful framed.
The watermark will be removed from your cards.
My "Church Of The Sparrows" oil painting is one that is very close to my heart and love of family and history. To truly appreciate this painting, one must understand the history behind the beauty.
In the 1890’s, making a living was very difficult for all migrant families, including my Czech ancestors. Many relocated with the promise of excellent agriculture and farming in and around Waller County, Texas. Unfortunately, the excitement and promise of a new life turned to devastation as the crops became failures. Many workers, including my grandpa, Willie (Bill) Divin, were forced to work in the salt mines in Hockley, Texas. The highlight of the lives of local families was the gathering of the community every Sunday for worship. Since there was no Catholic church available to worship in, parishioners took turns gathering in each other’s homes to celebrate Mass.
In the 1930’s, there was a terrible outbreak of scarlet fever and diphtheria. My Dad and his sister, Fannie, both became very ill. My dad survived, but Fannie lost her life at the age of seven. So many lives were lost due to the lack of medical care during that time. Because of the huge loss of life, there was a true need for a cemetery. My great grandpa, Frank Divin, Sr., donated land on a hill for a community cemetery. Today, the cemetery is located south of Waller, Texas at FM 362 and Haley Road in Waller County. A historical marker was dedicated on June 9, 1996 and is located at the entrance. The once, Saint Mary’s Cemetery is now named St. Martin de Porres Catholic Cemetery to reflect the parish that is caring for the cemetery. My grandpa, Bill Divin, formed and poured the large concrete cross which still sits in the center of the cemetery today. This special cross is depicted in my painting.
In addition to the need for the cemetery, there became a strong need for a church. The parishioners gathered together and built the little white church which was in Waller, Texas and given the name Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s rested next to the cemetery. My grandpa was a wonderful artist so he painted the statues in the church. Many sparrows were always seen flying and roosting among the bell tower, hence the name Church of The Sparrows. The beautiful church was closed in 1947. There was an article, "Sparrows Find Haven in Church Where Generations Worshipped" written in the Houston Chronicle, dated Sunday, May 29, 1960.
As she aged, she became very fragile and was removed around 1960. As a little girl, I remember the place where the church sat; no grass and only a few boards were left behind. I visited the cemetery many times when I would spend the night with my grandma and grandpa. My grandpa and I would make the drive from Wallis, Texas to Waller bringing flowers to the graves of our family members. We would spend many hours cleaning the cemetery. Grandpa would then have me sit under a big tree, which is still there today, as he visited my Aunt Fannie’s grave and cried. He thought I couldn’t see the tears, but I did.
As anyone can see, I have a deep love for the church and cemetery and its familial history. Because of my strong feelings, I was compelled to paint the Saint Mary’s Church and place my grandpa’s cross next to it. Looking at the painting comforts me with a feeling of healing and memories of the age old stories. This painting is in honor of my dad, Victor Willie, the oldest son, and his brothers, my uncles, Leo and Bobby Divin. It is also in memory of all of those who have gone before us.
More information on the history of the church and cemetery can be found in the book “The Church Of The Sparrows", written by Marie Neuman Gottfried.
Size: 16 x 20
Type: *giclée on canvas
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All greeting cards are from sections of my oil paintings. unless noted otherwise. They are produced from a semi-gloss quality photo paper which would be beautiful framed.