Friday, June 30, 2023

Fossil Ammonoids in New Albany Indiana

 

I was surprised to find Italian ammonoid fossils in New Albany Indiana USA. While visiting St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church located at East Eighth and Spring Streets I spotted the red marble like limestone I had seen before in Italy and at the Boston Public library building. It appears that the floor of the church alter area has strips of Red Verona or Rosso Verona marble in it. This rock dates to the Upper Jurassic Period of the Rosso Ammonitico Formation, Oxfordian Stage, Verona Province, Venetia Region of Italy.

 
According to the church web site, the building was dedicated on December 12, 1858 primarily serving the German-speaking immigrants of the area. In the 1920s, renovations brought Carrara Italian marble to the alters, communion rail, sanctuary floor, baptismal font and wainscoting. 

 




As to why I was at the church, rest in peace Kenneth E. Popp (1932-2023).


You can read of my previous encounters with Red Verona marble at these postings:

https://louisvillefossils.blogspot.com/2019/09/ammonite-fossils-in-st-ignazio-church.html

https://louisvillefossils.blogspot.com/2019/09/fossils-at-st-peters-basilica-in-rome.html

https://louisvillefossils.blogspot.com/2022/08/red-ammonoid-fossils-at-central-boston.html