Gardeners may immediately think of Euphorbia milii – the common fleshy houseplant that produces pretty red flowers almost year round. Australians may think of Acanthaster planci – the large starfish common around the Great Barrier Reef. Christians may jump to a more religious image – the crown Jesus Christ was forced to wear in the days before his crucifixion.
Locals in Consecon, Prince Edward County, have their own Crown of Thorns: the decorative top of their public library, which was built 172 years ago to be an Anglican Church. It began its second life as the Consecon Branch of the Prince Edward County Public Library in 1979.
This Crown of Thorns was removed late last year for refurbishment, and the library/church looks a bit truncated these days. A bit naked. A bit embarrassed. Especially in winter, with no tree foliage to help soften its edges.
It currently sits in a snow covered empty lot, in front of the old fire hall on the other side of Consecon River, waiting for replacement timbers and fresh coats of paint.
Up close, you can see the fine mill work that went into its construction.
I think it looks fine without it. Of course, Californians are accustomed to subdued architecture. The bandstand in Oak Meadow Park (which happens to be adjacent to Vasona County Park) was designed to be topped with a cupola from a carriage house of the historical Lyndon Estate. It is a bit much, but is really nice if you know what it is, and that it was able to be salvaged.
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