12-09-2002, Joey Blue, Religion

Historic St. Mary's Church, Philadelphia.

This Roman Catholic church in Philadelphia is open during the day for people to stop in for a moment of prayer or for tourists to see. It is the first Cathedral of Philadelphia. It has fantastic stain glass windows and a marvelous marble Pieta, in the rear right next to the confessional. I came in because i always wanted to take a nude photo with the Pieta sculpture which can be seen from every part of the church. It's right in between two of the main entrances. I went in and sat for a few minutes and then took a photo of one of the stained glass windows. I then proceeded back to the Pieta sculpture and set up my tripod. I took a test shot dressed first. It’s difficult to get light right with a flash sometimes, which is why i’m not looking right at the camera [i often get bad glasses glare].

Then for the real shot. I know that there are two diamond shaped peaking windows in the doors in the front of the church for workers or priests to keep an eye on things, but i wanted to get the shots. I did look back to see if anyone was watching a couple times. I set the camera, slipped off my tank-top and then my shorts, and scurried over for the pose. I don’t think i had ever been nude in a open church before. I figured i was already naked, so i set the camera for a second pose and took that one too. Just as i was heading back to the camera i heard the outer doors start to open. I slipped on my shorts and my tank-top just in time to be kneeling behind my camera as a man and two children walked into the church. They looked over at me, but at that point i just looked like i was photographing the sculpture. Man, that was a close call! I had barely gotten my clothes on in time. I packed up my tripod and camera and left. I have even attended Mass there a few times. This shot was taken around 4 p.m. on 26 August, 2002. By the way, as i was leaving the church two more people showed up at the doors who were tourists. If you notice, Jesus is portrayed almost completely nude in the sculpture.

You can read about the historical importance of this church at the following link: Old St. Mary's Church & Cemetery. You may just be surprised.