Kuru Church Memorial
This little memorial was in front of the red church in Kuru. It has been a custom since the 1600's that wooden carvings of old men stood outside churches. They were called Poor Old Men and either had a hand over their heart or stretched out for alms. This was to implore the parish to remember the needy and the invalids. Later, it was customer for people to put money in an opening in his chest, and the parish would divide the money among those who needed it the most.
(Thanks to an anonymous emailer in Finland for providing me with this background!)
©1999, Jeffrey L. Cooper
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