Architecture - St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Historic 6th Ward, Houston, Texas

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Historic 6th Ward, Houston, Texas

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, is a Romanesque revival structure, designed by Patrick S. Rabbit and built in 1901 replacing an earlier sanctuary destroyed in the 1900 storm. It features a basilica plan, extensive corbelled detailing and decorative brickwork.
In architecture a corbel is a bracket of stone, wood or brick projecting out of a wall to support any superincumbent weight, like a cornice or arch. 

I love the style and God given skills of the craftsmen of that era. The brick work alone is something to marvel over. It is not over the top, yet has a simple elegance. This historic church is located in the Historic 6th Ward district of Houston, Texas at 1505 Kane St. (Not much is known about the architect).

Look at the wheel of life symbol in the front of the church. You will find this reoccurring symbolism incorporated in many catholic structures.   The wheel represents a spiritual “steering wheel” which helps you navigate life through your beliefs in God. This is a more simplistic understanding of the symbol. Have not been able to find much about this esoteric symbol found on many Catholic churches.