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| Holy Family Church - 1905 to 1966 | Holy Family Church - 1905 to 1966 |
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| Holy Family Church - October 13, 1966 | Holy Family Church - Resurrection Mural |
Holy Family Church Mural Has Its Story.
A Holy Family Catholic Church member quoted John 11:25, "I am the Resurrection and the life" as the basic theme of the sanctuary mural in that church, painted by Miss Isabel Piczek.
Discussing the art work further, she explained: "In Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, is the greatest proof of His Divinity, the central theme of His teaching, and a hope for every Christian who would accept the invitation to follow Him."
"Christ is portrayed in the mural, an egg tempura composition, as one who breaks the bonds of death by triumphantly bursting our of the stone sealed sepulchre to an everlasting life of glory. His Body, no longer subject to physical laws, is clothed by an Inner Light of radiance."
"The artist, Isabel Piczek, chose to eliminate the customary beard and hair style common at the time to show that Christ is no longer a member of one ethnic race or a certain period of history. His death became the purchase price for all ethnic groups at all times."
"The outstretched hands of the Risen Christ teach that, as He was always obedient to His Father, so must we follow Him in obedience in order to receive the same reward of everlasting life."
Scripture speaks of two angels present or Easter morning in the burial place of Jesus. One angel in the mural is called the "Angel of the Passion" because he is holding the instruments of torture, the nails and the crown of thorns, supported by the shroud or burial garment."
"The eyes of the angel are closed in order to express a horror of what humanity did to divine love, personified in Jesus, and which is beyond the comprehension of the angels."
"Radiating our of Christ's feet is a light direction the soldier to the tablets of the Law of Moses. The soldier, representing the fallen the fallen human race, is gradually rising from a spiritual death to a new life in Christ. The mechanical symbols at the knee and shoulders indicate the former material, pagan way of life. Being in a kneeling position, and still quite weak, he is determined to follow the pathway of Christ and Christian perfection."
"The human race is really in exile and on a pilgrimage. Once he sees his goal as Heaven, his home, he is in need of special strength for the arduous journey. As a result, the other angel, the "Panis Angelicus" (the angel of bread) is holding a chalice of food for the journey - the Body and Blood of Christ promised and declared essentially by Christ in the sixth chapter of John's gospel."
In September, 1917, Camp Pastors at Camp Cody, Rev. A. S. Davis, Presbyterian and Rev. D. D. MacQueen, Baptist, acting for the War Commissions of the two denominations, set forth the needs of a joint ministry of the churches in Deming to the service men. Many of the soldiers were Christian and desired to attend church services. There were no churches in Deming large enough to accommodate the large numbers. There was also a need for recreational facilities of a Christian nature for them. So, out of this need a plan was formulated for joint work between the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches.
With help from the War Commissions, a Tabernacle was built on lots owned by the Deming Baptist Church, located on the corner of Iron and Pine, at a cost of $6426, with the provision Church when no longer needed for the Joint effort. At the completion of the building, the Deming Baptist Church moved all of its furniture from the old church building on Copper Street to the Tabernacle. The school board rented the old building was torn down at the request of the Mayor of Deming and the material sold for $200.00.
The Tabernacle served many organizations. In 1918 the union meetings of the churches of Deming were begun. They were called “Union Peace Meetings”. At at meeting in December 1918 a collection of $103 was taken and giving to the Red Cross. The Thanksgiving offering of $25.00 was given to the Armenian Relief Fund. In January, 1920, the Rev. Charles Scoville and Associates held a Revival in The Tabernacle under the auspices of the Deming Ministerial Union; the Nazarene Church held day services of their revival in July, 1920; Ratcliffe Chautauqua came in march, 1921 Joint Vacation Bible Schools were held. Many social gatherings were held in fellowship hall.
When there was no further need for the joint services, the building was sold to the First Baptist Church for $4,000. An addition to The Tabernacle was built and the church moved into it in 1929.This building still stands on the corner of Iron and Pine, and is called today “the small auditorium. The wooden barracks-type building back of the auditorium was removed in 1975, when a addition was added and remodeling done. - The History of Luna County – Copyright 1978 by “The Luna County Historical Society, Inc” - Deming, New Mexico
