St. Paul's unravels a Church mystery

This detail from the St. Paul's Church lectern reveals the beauty of the work of Johannes Kirchmayer.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bookings is widely regarded as one of the community's most beautiful buildings.

The century-old structure at Sixth Street and Eight Avenue has a long and welldocumented history after all, the congregation was established in 1893.

But it also still has its secrets, and one of them was solved recently, revealing the fact that in addition to being designed by one of the country's foremost church architects at the turn of the 20th century, the church was furnished with items handcarved by one of the country's foremost craftsmen. German carver

During a history project at St. Paul's , team members discovered that several pieces of church furniture were made by Johannes Kirchmayer, a renowned woodcarver of beautiful ecclesiastical wood works in the early 1900s.

The importance of the pieces at St Paul's was unappreciated until church historians linked some handwritten notes in old church records to a recently published book describing Kirchmayer's role in the history of American art.

For her book titled "Master Carver Johannes Kirchmayer, 1860-1930 : From Germany's Passion Play Village to America's Finest Sanctuaries," F. Shirley Prouty tried to catalogue the many American woodcarvings of her greatgreat-uncle . Mansions to churches

She visited mansions, churches, town halls and libraries where Kirchmayer doors, panels, figures, altars, pulpits, and font covers might be found.

She wrote that, "His carvings span the East Coast of this country. They are found west to Detroit and St Paul. I have located many more pieces than I dreamed there could possibly be. I have documented everything possible that I could find."

But Prouty didn't know about an oak lectern and table at St Paul's . The lectern is ornate and shows the skills of a great wood carver. It has five finely detailed figures St. Peter, St. Paul, Christ, Mary and St. Anna and much ornate trim, similar to that on the companion table.

An inscription on the base of the lectern says "In Memoriam, Anna Reiman Slagel 1868 + 1915."

Church notes show that the lectern was a gift from Dr. Robert Slagle, president of South Dakota State College from 1906-14 , and then the University of South Dakota. Slagle moved to Massachusetts after his wife's death, and his move is a clue to the connection between St. Paul's and Johannes Kirchmayer. Designed St. John's

The prestigious architectural firm of Cram and Ferguson designed St. Paul's church building and rectory. Cram and Ferguson also designed the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, considered to be among the most beautiful of all churches in the nation.

Records at St. Paul's credit the Rev. Paul Roberts, a Connecticut priest who served in Brookings from 1912 - 1919, with securing the services of architect Ralph Cram.

Dr. Slagle must have contacted Cram, who then recommended Kirchmayer as a craftsman who could produce the memorial to his wife.

Prouty wrote that, "Cram recommended Kirchmayer many times. They seemed to work and think alike. Kirchmayer could produce exactly what Cram required. Throughout my book, you will find the same collaboration in other churches."

Johannes Kirchmayer learned his trade in Oberammergau, the famous German city known for its skilled woodcarvers. He became part of the pantheon of American craftsmen during the first two decades of the 20th century. His importance has recently been rediscovered, as has the appreciation for the American arts and crafts movement. Missed three locations

Author Prouty has thanked St. Paul's for notifying her of Kirchmayer's art works in Brookings. "I thank you so much for all your efforts on my behalf. I have a "living" file on every institution that has come forward since the publication of the book. Yours is right there. (There have been three: one in Philadelphia, one in Michigan, and yours)."

St. Paul's may have two more Kirchmayer carvings two kneelers with winged angels carved in relief on the side posts. After seeing a picture of the kneelers , Prouty wrote, "You may have another (carving): the kneeler. ... it is very similar to others, especially with the angel on the side. However I cannot say that it is so. The real proof is the signature "IK" - four whacks of the chisel, cut directly into the wood. It may be one-eighth to one-half inch high. It would probably be found on the bottom, right-hand corner and close enough to the image that it could not be removed without disfiguring the piece. Look diligently with a flashlight and magnifying glass. Keep in mind that it is probably filled with dust."

So far, Kirchmayer's signature has not been found on the kneelers. Important to art history

But Prouty wrote recently to members, "You need not spend hours searching for this signature on the lectern or table. You have proof written in your records at the time of purchase. That record says it all. You may assume he did the kneelers. Perhaps they may be noted at a later date in your records."

The carved furniture has always been well loved by members of the church. But now the pieces can take their proper place as important treasures in American art history .