Rebus Letter on St. John’s Seminary Letterhead

Two rebus letters from Charles to Lucia point to an extended absence while the architect worked on the design and construction of two churches in Arkansas. The churches, both Catholic and both named St. Mary’s, were dedicated on May 3 and December 13, 1936, in the cities of Helena and Paragould. The letter is written on stationery from St. John’s Seminary in Little Rock, a school opened by Bishop John Morris—the same bishop who would lead the Mass to dedicate St. Mary’s in both locations. This small detail shows Charles steeped, however briefly, in an interconnected religious community in the South, where he continued to develop his approach to modern design in these unfamiliar environs.

The translation for this rebus is: Lucia, I am so sorry (saw + wreath) that I can not take you to school. Are you drinking milk like an angel? It rained all the way (weight) to Arkansas. XXX Daddy