Images(5)

Artwork

Object number2018.69.1 a-m

Artist Thomas White

Datec. 1935

MediumWood; Adhesive; Varnish; Metal; Plastic; Glass; Electrical cord; Fabric

Credit LineGift of the grandchildren of Thomas White

DescriptionChurch made of matchsticks.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a-m together): 33 × 16.25 × 24.75 in. (83.8 × 41.3 × 62.9 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (a): 20.5 × 16.25 × 24.75 in. (52.1 × 41.3 × 62.9 cm)
Length (a - cord): 130 in. (330.2 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b): 11.875 × 4.625 × 4.5 in. (30.2 × 11.7 × 11.4 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (c): 8.5 × 2.875 × 2.75 in. (21.6 × 7.3 × 7 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (d): 8 × 2.125 × 2.125 in. (20.3 × 5.4 × 5.4 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (e): 8 × 2.25 × 2.125 in. (20.3 × 5.7 × 5.4 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (f): 4.25 × 2.5 × 0.875 in. (10.8 × 6.4 × 2.2 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (g): 4 × 2.438 × 2.25 in. (10.2 × 6.2 × 5.7 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (h): 8.125 × 2.188 × 2.188 in. (20.6 × 5.6 × 5.6 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (i): 8.25 × 2.375 × 2.375 in. (21 × 6 × 6 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (j): 6 × 2.5 × 2.5 in. (15.2 × 6.4 × 6.4 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (k): 2.75 × 2.75 × 2.75 in. (7 × 7 × 7 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (l): 12.625 × 5.875 × 6.5 in. (32.1 × 14.9 × 16.5 cm)
Historical NotesThis church was made out of matchsticks and was modeled after a Byzantine church in Kiev called “The Tenth.” The artist, Thomas White, grew up in the Ukraine and at some point the family moved to Austria. White immigrated to the United States, settled in Aliquippa and married a Polish immigrant named Catherine Misag. He worked at J&L as a heater helper and was also a local carpenter. He made the altar, sub-altar and entrance gates at the altar rail in S.S. Peter and Paul Church in Aliquippa. Around the year 1931 he started to collect matches, inspired by a log cabin his son made for school. For the next 18 years, and 3000 hours of work later, he completed the church using his memory and some photographs. It was then stored on the third floor of the house and brought out for holidays and special occasions, although one of his grandchildren, Adele White, remembers sneaking up to look at it as children. It is not clear which church in Kiev he based it on, possibly St. Sophia’s Cathedral, St. Andrew’s Church or St. Volodymry’s Cathedral

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