"Reverend Staerkel and the Norka Service"
by Michael Boss

From the collection of Blackwell Properties, LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio

After seeing photographs of the Norka Reformed Church interior, it was given that a painting of a church service had to be rendered. By a bit of luck, Steve Schreiber (webmaster for www.volgagermans.net) introduced Reuben (Ben) Bauer of Canada to me. What a stroke of luck! Ben's parents and grandparents attended the Norka church. They related a great deal of information.

Reuben and I sparred a bit on details, but he was a guiding star all of the way through, including matters like the Chorleiter using a tuning fork to sound the proper pitch before singing a hymn; or knowing the organ was built in South Tyrol. And to think, this church was constructed entirely of wood!

Casein and Gouache on Rag Board
18" X 20"