Found at the Church Thrift Store

Two of my favorite thrift stores are affiliated with churches....I found this wooden plaque at one of these stores last week...



This brass object has candle wax drippings in the bottom. I found it at the Methodist church sale up north this summer and it was marked 25 cents....



I grew up in the Methodist church and I never remember seeing something like this there so I think perhaps it may be from the local Catholic church...



It really is quite pretty....in a Jeanne D'Arc Living decorative type of way...



Do you know how and why it was used?
Would you display or use this in your home?



Another religious plaque found at the same church thrift store...



...and a small shrine...
....I am not sure of the origins of these pieces but aren't they beautiful?