The Legend of the Spiral Staircase + St Joseph.
Source: Trip Advisor
Here is an interesting legend about St Joseph and the spiral staircase:
The Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878. When it was finished, there was no way to access the choir loft approximately 22 feet above. Several carpenters were called in to resolve the problem, but the best solution was a ladder leading up to the choir loft. There simply was not enough space in the interior of the small chapel for a staircase.
Legend says that in order to find a solution to the problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Several months later, the elaborate staircase was finished. The carpenter disappeared — the nuns did not have a chance to pay him or even thank him. After searching for him for weeks and not finding any trace of him, many concluded that the carpenter was St. Joseph himself that came to answer the sisters’ prayers.
The structure was innovative for the time and many of the design considerations still perplex experts today. The staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. It’s also been noted the the staircase was built without nails — only wooden pegs. Questions also surround the number of stair risers relative to the height of the choir loft and about the types of wood and other materials used in the stairway’s construction.
Source: PlanetWare
The legend has been the subject of many articles articles, TV specials, and movies, including “Unsolved Mysteries” and a television movie entitled “The Staircase.”
Do you have any interesting legends or stories about St Joseph? We would love to know! Send them to us.
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