This typical village church enjoys no protection from winter winds or hot summer sun. Members of the congregation have probably cut down all adjacent trees because they feared the danger of quick moving forest fires.

Traditionally, services lasted several hours and a designated congregant, the tithing man, used a pole to poke anyone who nodded off during the sermon. He also kept guard so that no one could slink out the door before the service was over.

The cold temperature was a problem that churchgoers solved by bringing with them little "foot stoves," tiny metal boxes on legs. These boxes were filled with coals before leaving home and sometimes re-filled from a neighbor near the church. Other church goers snuggled their feet into "fur bags," made of wolf or other animal hides.

Medium : 1 print : chromolithograph

Created/Published : c1875

Creator : F. Gleason, c1875

Part of the Currier & Ives collection housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 weeks.

Product #: wisuinolti