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Interpreting the Bible in Life, in Art and in Architecture.
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Dr. Lorrie Wenzel is a professor, author, church historian, and former faculty member in the Religious Studies department at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. Over the course of her career, she has traveled extensively through Europe, studying more than 300 churches and cathedrals.
In 2023, she published a book entitled CATHEDRALS: Clues to Identifying Biblical Figures in Cathedrals Around the World, a guide designed to help travelers better understand the rich symbolism and stories depicted in sacred art and architecture. This book is available on Amazon.
Recruited by a European travel company in 2022, Dr. Wenzel now serves as a resident historian and educator, spending months annually teaching European history, art, religion, and culture to international travelers.
Dr. Wenzel presents at libraries, women’s clubs, churches, and a variety of organizations. Her 45-minute PowerPoint Presentations and descriptions are listed below. If you are interested in booking Dr. Wenzel for a public speaking engagement, please contact her through the link above.
Below are some short videos SEARCH: Lorrie Wenzel Shorts on YouTube
Dr. Wenzel is currently speaking about the following topics:
CATHEDRALS: CLUES TO IDENTIFYING BIBLICAL FIGURES IN CATHEDRALS AROUND THE WORLD
ANTONI GAUDI & SAGRADA FAMILIA: THE ARCHITECT WHO BUILT DREAMS IN STONE
IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK: THE STORIES OF THE PARIS NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL
THE STORIES OF THE SISTINE CHAPEL: WHERE ART MEETS ETERNITY
CATHEDRALS: CLUES TO IDENTIFYING BIBLICAL FIGURES IN CATHEDRALS AROUND THE WORLD
BY: DR. LORRIE WENZEL
Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of photographs, this book will enable the reader to easily identify the saints and martyrs in sacred spaces around the world. Millions of tourists visit cathedrals every year, but most do not recognize the figures before them. Medieval artists portrayed Christian stories in cathedrals, which were built for an illiterate community. Biblical figures and Christian martyrs each hold or wear an object that identifies them to the faithful. This book will guide visitors to better understand the rich symbolism and stories depicted in the sacred art of medieval cathedrals.
Presentation
Cathedrals: Clues to Identifying Biblical Figures in Cathedrals Around the World
Step inside the world’s great medieval cathedrals and discover that they were far more than places of worship—they were stone Bibles for an illiterate age. Through towering sculptures, dazzling stained glass, intricate carvings, and golden mosaics, these sacred masterpieces brought biblical stories to life for millions of people. Journey across Europe and beyond to uncover the hidden meanings, symbols, saints, and scriptural scenes woven into some of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, revealing how faith, art, and history came together to create messages that still inspire and captivate visitors today.
Presentation Antoni Gaudi & Sagrada Família: The Architect Who Built Dreams in Stone
Antoni Gaudi transformed Barcelona into a living work of art through soaring churches, dreamlike houses and colorful parks inspired by nature, faith and imagination. This presentation explores the unfinished wonder of Sagrada Familia (the tallest church in the world), along with Gaudi’s UNESCO World Heritage masterpieces. June 10, 2026, marks the 100th year anniversary of Antoni Gaudi’s death.
Presentation If these walls could talk—the stories of the Notre Dame Cathedral
For more than 850 years, Notre-Dame has stood at the heart of Paris, witnessing coronations, revolutions, wars, and triumphs. Discover the fascinating history, stunning Gothic architecture, legendary treasures, devastating 2019 fire, and remarkable restoration of one of the world's most beloved cathedrals.
The APOSTLE THOMAS WITH THE RISEN JESUS, NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, PARIS-2011
THE SOUTH ROSE WINDOW, NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL PARIS—2015
THE MAGI BEFORE MARY, NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, PARIS-2011
Presentation:
The Sistine Chapel: Where Art Meets Eternity
Step beneath one of the world’s most famous ceilings and discover the remarkable story behind the Sistine Chapel. This engaging presentation explores the history of the chapel, the vision of the Renaissance popes, and the genius of Michelangelo, who transformed a simple vaulted ceiling into one of humanity’s greatest artistic achievements. From the Creation of Adam to the dramatic Last Judgment, learn how art, faith, politics, and human ambition came together to create a masterpiece that continues to inspire millions of visitors each year.
THE MAN WHO CRITICIZED MICHELANGELO’S WORK, FOREVER DEMONIZED
THE LAST JUDGEMENT PAINTING BY MICHELANGELO
THE SISTINE CHAPEL CEILING PAINTING BY MICHELANGELO, VATICAN CITY, ITALY
PICTURES FROM EUROPEAN CATHEDRALS
VISIT MILWAUKEE’S CHURCHES
Many Milwaukee Churches have beautiful stained-glass images of the saints and martyrs. You don’t have to go to Europe to see biblical heroes etched in marble and glass. During DOORS OPEN-MILWAUKEE, the ones listed below are open. The churches also welcome visitors. (Pictured is St. Josaphat’s Basilica located at 2333. S. 6th Street, Milwaukee).
St. Josaphat’s Basilica
St. Josaphat’s Basilica is filled with beautiful imagery in stained glass and painting of the early Christians saints and heroes. The inside facade mimics basilicas you will find in Europe.
This window illustrates the story from Luke 7:36-40 “When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”…
ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has more stained-glass than any other church in Wisconsin. It is located at 914 E. Knapp Street in Milwaukee. The image on the right is the resurrection appearance to the women. On the left is Christ leaving the Praetorium. This is the largest religious Tiffany stained glass in the world (1884).
IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1100 N. Astor Street in downtown Milwaukee is filled with beautiful stained glass imagery. On the right, Jesus the Good Shepherd.
ST. JOHN’S ON THE HILLSIDE
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on the Hillside is located at 804 W. Vliet Street in downtown Milwaukee. The community is nearly 175 years old. The Four Evangelist are on pedestals of their symbols. Matthew stands on a winged angel, Mark stands on a winged lion, Luke stands on a winged ox and John stands on a winged eagle.
ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL
LOCATED at 812 N. Jackson Street in downtown Milwaukee. The church has all 12 Apostles etched in stained glass. If you want to learn the visual name tags of the 12, this is a great starting point.
The Apostle Andrew holding his X shaped cross.
The Apostle Peter holding the keys to heaven and earth.
The Apostle Simon holding his saw.