Due to continuing social distancing requirements, Kairos-Milwaukie United Church of Christ will not gather in person for worship or other events until further notice. Our church building is closed. Updates will be posted here as more information is available.
Several years ago Don and Betty Balmer gifted Kairos-Milwaukie Church with a valuable classic woodcarving which now hangs in the narthex of the church.
Leroy Setziol was a former Army chaplain and a self-taught wood sculptor whose works have been highly praised by the Northwest’s top midcentury modern architects. He moved to Oregon in 1951 and died in 2005. Much of his work was laboriously carved from black walnut, teak and even everyday Douglas fir, and is secured in many private collectors’ homes. His work is also evident in works commissioned by architects Pietro Belluschi (doors at the University of Portland chapel), John Storrs (panels for Salishan Lodge at Gleneden Beach), and A.P. DiBenedetto (front doors for the Pacific NW Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Corvallis). A two-story teak carving is in the lobby of the Child Development Rehabilitation Center at OHSU. Architect Joachim Grube says, “His sculptures add nobility to space as only true art can do.” We continue to appreciate Setziol’s evocative work and the Balmers for donating this fine work of art to Kairos-Milwaukie UCC.
Some information in this article is credited to Janet Eastman, October 6, 2016, writing for The Oregonian/OregonLive. At that time she reviewed an exhibit of Setziol’s work at the Portland Art Museum.
Kairos Hikes