A Synagogue, a Protestant Church, a Catholic Church

Fred’s Journey


Verdun France

September 18, 1944

A light rain muddied the streets as we entered the ancient fortress town of Verdun on September 18, 1944. We saw a shattered synagogue by the north gate. Later we found a modest cathedral on a hillside. I got a few pieces of glass from each. The synagogue was opened up and our rear headquarters remained there for six months. There was also a small Protestant chapel that we used for choir practice.

–Fred McDonald

Artist’s Statement

    From

  • Armelle Le Roux

In 1944, Verdun was already a shrine to the ravages of World War I. Fred’s envelope from Verdun contained three shards from three different places of worship. I put them together as improbable and endlessly repeating notes on a fictitious sheet of music. They serve as a warning about history repeating itself and also the longed-for possibility of coexistence and harmony.

Artist Information

  • Armelle Le Roux

    Atelier Le Roux
    3246 Ettie Street
    Studio 11 Oakland, CA 94608

Specifications

Number of shards: 3
Dimensions: 30 3⁄4″ × 11″
Medium: painted and leaded blown glass

History & Context

Base Camp at Verdun

Chaplain McDonald arrived in Paris on September 2, only a week after the Germans had been driven out. Unlike the ruins found in Normandy, Paris was completely intact and the Parisians were still reveling in the joy of liberation.

Of course we went into Paris and the Parisians were still exulting in the German defection. Some women had a style of sensual and flashy hauteur, which was unlike memories of our hardworking people at home, and most unlike the war-weary British … Whenever one of us was shooting a picture the French would crowd onto the scene.

–Fred McDonald