st salvator's- day and night

Even growing up Buddhist, I have always loved being in churches. I don't find a lot of moments of stillness in my life and something about churches-- empty or full-- always seem the surest way to find them. I spent about half a novel, in RISE, talking about how it felt to be in all those churches in the summer of 1999. 


The tower of St Salvator's Chapel, here in St Andrews, dominates the Western skyline of North Street. Even when  you can't see it, you can hear its chiming bells. It's the medieval heart of St Andrews, according to our own website. And next November, it's where my classmates will gradate with our MLitts (I suppose I'll be back there a few years after that for the PhD.) It's from services there that red-robed undergraduates make their famous pier walks. 


It often looks unbelievable at night. Same goes for days. The chapel has a way of playing with  the light around it.  Taylor and I ducked in there during the day for a bit earlier this week.  I love all the details-- thistle hand rails, university emblems tucked here and there. One of these days, I'll make it to a service there. In the meantime, here's the full scoop. More pics after the jump.