Thursday, March 5, 2015

The Beauty of Old Churches

Cliff knows I love old churches and he sent me a photo text of one, today. When I asked, "Where is this? I need to go take a picture of it with my camera"....this is how the conversation went.

Cliff:  *Off limits.
Me:  No. It can't be!
Cliff:  *Off limits to you.
Me:  NO!
Cliff:  Probably has snakes.
Me:  Well, I wouldn't doubt that, but I can stay in the car. Where is it???
Cliff:  On the other side of snake city. (Snake City is a place on the trail where he runs in the Francis Marion National Forest)
Me:  I'm on the way.

*He was just messing with me. He actually took an hour or so off work to take me to it.

So, I struck out...camera in hand. The following pictures are what we saw. There was a sign in the cemetery adjacent to the church grounds that said the cemetery was circa 1828. So, I assume the church was too. There are so many abandoned churches, buildings, barns and stately old homes still around, today. I wish we could save them all. Restore them to their former glory. Although, I don't have the means to do so, I can at least capture their spirit through a picture or two and promise to remember them. Most have seen better days, some are literally on their last leg, but they are all beautiful to me. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. Hope you can see past the missing shingles, rotting wood, gaping holes, missing glass and all it's brokenness......because old churches, like this one, are a legacy.

Halfway Creek Methodist Church
Shulerville, SC
 
 


 
Not only did I see beauty in this old church, but the crocuses and grape hyacinths in my yard were screaming beauty, too. They are declaring that Spring is on the way.



 
Have a lovely day,
Laurie
 
P.S. The temps yesterday was 78 degrees F, tomorrow's forecast is for a high of 41 degrees F. Mama calls this seesaw weather. 


25 comments:

  1. Von flowers. How I've missed you

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    1. Hey Darlene. Yes, the flowers were a welcomed site. I've been seeing some daffodils pop up here and there. None in my yard yet. Hope all is well. Have a great weekend.

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  2. I knew we were kindred spirits, Laurie. Such a beautiful old church... I'd love to be able to save them all, too. And, I LOVE old cemeteries. blessings ~ tanna

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    1. Thanks Tanna! I love old cemeteries, too. You'll have to go take a look at this one.... http://111lalalane.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-colorado-cemetery.html .....I visited it in Colorado last year. It was so different than what I am used to. I'll be sharing more pictures of churches in my area. You'll have to come back for a visit. Have a great day!

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  3. What a find! And what a shame that it can't be preserved. Plenty of people needs jobs and purpose. Cities should be proud to restore their past. If government would stop misspending tax dollars, there might be some leftover for historic preservation. Speaking of old churches, The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest in the world. :) Best wishes, Tammy

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    1. Yes, it is a shame. I agree whole heartedly....historic preservation should be a priority. I loved your post from yesterday....your pictures of the Church were gorgeous. I would definitely get goosies, if I were there. I would want to touch every inch of it. Have a good day, Tammy!

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  4. What a beautiful old church! I can just picture it long ago on a Sunday morning. Thanks so much for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Renee. I can picture it, too. Did you ever see the movie Cold Mountain? I picture the congregation sitting in this church singing and raising their hands, just like in the movie.

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    2. Good Morning Laurie, I noticed that the windows and doors were missing. Somebody probably took everything that was of value. I hate that because you never know if they were suppose to do so or not. You wonder if there was a bell in the bell tower at one time. I always look at old buildings and think about what might have been. I enjoyed catching up with you. I liked your striped wall in the laundry room. Take care. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend Shirley

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    3. Thanks Shirley. Yes, windows and doors were missing. And the really sad part, the inside is in shambles. It's like someone was trying their best to tear it apart by hand. And there is graffiti on the walls. As much as I don't want to judge, someone is going to the devil for what they wrote on those walls. I was wondering what could have gone in the steeple at the top, and never thought of a bell. But, I bet that was it. Thanks for stopping by. Hope all is well with you and yours.

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  5. What a beautiful old building. Is anyone doing anything to restore it?

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    1. Sadly, no. This is an old country church....in the middle of no where. The inside is in bad shape...much worse than the outside appears to be. I imagine there are some who takes care of the grounds because of the adjacent cemetery. But I don't see the church standing much longer.

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  6. What a fun find to explore! And, perfect weather for it too! Those flowers are beautiful!

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  7. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh - speechless at the beauty of this old building! What a find, indeed...and I don't know about there, but the snakes here and back home like it really warm before they appear. Probably too early in Snake City for them, anyway. Happy Thursday, Laurie - thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Tanya! The church was a beauty! Here, on a sunny day in the winter, you can see a snake occasionally sunny on a rock or log. I wouldn't dare go to snake city right now. We had 2 or 3 days of really warm weather. I'm just really scared of snakes and sticks that look like snakes. LOL!!

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  8. Seesaw weather or . . . bipolar weather! Your spring flowers are so lovely. And so is the church. Wonder why that one wasn't taken over by some group and kept up (or restored) as a historic sight? As you say, what a shame to lose it.

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    1. Thank you, Mama Pea! I was pleasantly surprised to see that the crocuses and hyacinths are spreading around the yard. I didn't know they would do that. The church is probably not historical enough for anyone to fight for it. It is an old country church out in the middle of no where. Still it is a shame to lose these old buildings.

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  9. Ahhh..what sweet memories must be trapped in those walls that still stand....good preaching....music with probably a tinkly old piano.....no inside bathroom...lol It is always sad to see these old buildings fall into disrepair. Love the little promise of spring in the crocus. xo Diana

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    1. Thank you, Diana. I can hear that tinkly old piano, now....and the singing of Amazing Grace!

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  10. what a beautiful old church. I love to go sight seeing to find old barns and buildings too.
    They just call out for someone to remember their original beauty. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. it hurts my heart to see churches and houses die.

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