September 2, 2011
Architect, actor among presenters scheduled at St. Meinrad
Architect to speak
The president of one of the largest conservation and restor-ation companies in the United States will present the annual Dolle Lecture on Church Art and Architecture at St. Meinrad, Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. CDT.
Bernard Gunar Gruenke, pres-ident of Conrad Schmitt Studios Inc. of New Berlin, Wisc., will speak on “Build My Church: A Journey through Planning, Funding and Managing a Church Restoration or Building Project.”
Founded in 1889, Conrad Schmitt Studios has been involved in the conservation and restoration of buildings. In addition, the firm has designed and created art glass and interiors for buildings of architectural and historic significance throughout the country and ab-road, including basilicas, cath-edrals, churches, synagogues, theatres, state capitols and government buildings.
Gruenke is a member of the American Institute of Architects, American Institute of Conser-vation, Association of Consul-tants for Liturgical Space and Guild of Master Craftsmen. He has been involved in the West Baden Springs Hotel, West Baden, Ind.; French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick, Ind; St. Mary Cathedral, Lafayette, Ind; St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Knoxville, Tenn.; and the Wal-dorf-Astoria Hotel, New York.
An evening with G.K. Chesterton
The Institute for Priests and Presbyterates of St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theo-logy will present “An Evening with G.K. Chesterton” on Monday, Sept. 26.
John “Chuck” Chalberg will present his historical impersonation of English writer G.K. Chesterton, the author of numerous novels, short stories and poems. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. CDT in the Gallery on the St. Meinrad campus.
Chalberg is an actor and a historian with a knack for capturing the essence of flamboyant historical characters, such as President Theodore Roosevelt. His acting began as an extension of his teaching of American history at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minn.
In the portrayal, Chesterton journeys from England to offer his views on everything from the virtues of things small, whether they be families or pubs, to the evils of things large, whether they be imperialist schemes or socialist states.
A man of paradox and humor, he will surprise, confound and provoke you. This is the Englishman who helped deliver his fellow countryman C.S. Lewis to Christianity.
“An Evening with G.K. Chesterton” is part of the Gardner Lecture Series, which is made possible by a gift from Marea B. Gardner of Louisville, Ky.