COMMUNITIES & OBJECTS OF FAITH – AN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDY

Galesburg, IL

Communities and Objects of Faith grew from a common myth that “there are as many bars as there are churches” in Galesburg, IL. Funded by the Paul K. Richter Memorial Trust, the five of us involved with this project aspired to visit every public house and place of worship in Galesburg. We examined unexamined communities: regulars at dives and sermons, favorite hymns and drams, sentiments spoken and implied. The group visited bars on Saturdays and attended a variety of church services on Sundays, taking fieldnotes, writing poems, and photographing the quiet beauty of small town establishments. We distilled our work and findings into a (currently defunct) website, Instagram account, and Facebook page.