Time for another MissPres Architectural Word of the Week. As we move right along through the alphabet, you can check out our past words here. Have you been keeping an eye out for these elements like I have? This weeks word relates mostly to stone masonry buildings which can be very few and far between in the state, so it makes the reference words more foreign, and the structural examples all that more rare and worthy of preservation. As always our examples come from the MDAH HRI Database, so if you want to know more about them, utilize this great resource!
This week’s word is brought to you by the letter K for “Kneeler” as defined by Cyril M. Harris’s Illustrated Dictionary of Historic Architecture.
Kneeler: (nē’lər) 1.A building stone which is sloped on top and flat on the bottom, as the stone that supports inclined coping on the slope of the gable.
Do you have a favorite building in Mississippi that has used a Kneeler in a different way than our examples? Maybe a scored stucco building or a wooden building that replicates a Kneeler? If so please share! Keep your eyes out for this and the next MissPres Architectural Word of the Week. You just never know where they will pop up next!
Categories: Books, Building Types, Churches, Historic Preservation, Jackson
Preservation in Mississippi 
Friday is my favorite day to look at MSPres! Thank you for this great idea. I see Jerkinhead Gables everywhere now. Kneelers are so high up, I never saw them up close and personal so thanks for these pretty photos. The castle in Woodland Hills is awesome.
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I am the same way now that we have AWOTW I see examples everywhere. Castle Crest is a favorite of mine also :)
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Excellent one!
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Thank you. I like this word because it’s not the first kneeler you would think of when ecclesiastical buildings are being discussed.
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You’re right! The first thing I thought of was the cushions at the altar rail or the folding kneeler in the pews!
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