Blue Ridge Baptist Church

You see this church on the Parkway between 421 and 16. I always admired it and the lovely graveyard in front of it. Finally took some photos of it this week.

A close-up of Blue Ridge Baptist Church in Ashe County

The day was stormy, as many have been this past week. I enjoyed watching the clouds lay on the hills. That is a sort of church as well. At least it reminds me of God.

Viewing Betsy Rock Falls from the Parkway

Spring Day in Alleghany County

I had the opportunity to visit Alleghany County yesterday and take some photos. Here they are:

I have always loved this church in Laurel Springs on Highway 18.

A small church on Cranberry Creek Road.

A mountain cabin on a quiet spring morning.

Two views of the same church. I love it when pretty country churches are on a hill and part of the landscape so they can remind us of the things of God through our day. And at parking lot of this church was the following sign:

End of Year Pics

I decided to take advantage of the soft winter sun, warmer temperatures, and vacation time to take some pictures of churches and barns in western McDowell County.

This is Harmony Grove Baptist Church just a little bit down the road from where we live. Looking at this photo and the next one, I'm not sure if I like the church or the tree best!

The next church is similar in style to this one. It is the Glenwood United Methodist Church. I love the cross on this church. It makes it look truly like a bulwark in any storm.

Close-up of the cross.

The sun started to come out for this next church, Ridgeway Freewill Baptist Church. I never realized until I stopped to take this picture, but there is a beautiful pond below and behind this church.

My last church is one that is no longer functioning. It is the Charity Mission Baptist Church. The folks have built another big church beside it in a warehouse style, as many big churches are doing these days to save money. But they have kept their old country church beside it. I hope they are able to restore the old church. My daughter, who was helping me take pictures today, got up close to the windows and said it smelled like cat pee, so I guess the old building is still useful!

This little shed is near our house. I always liked it, and especially like the gnarled winter tree beside it.

This chimney and outbuilding also caught my fancy as we drove down Old Glenwood Road.

Fall Churches

Went into Christmas tree country today and took some photos of 2 old churches no longer being used and a third I've often admired. One is in Virginia and the other in Ashe County and the still working church is in Watauga County.

This ruined church was awesome. Someone had drawn a picture of a devil on the side, but I don't think you can make it out in this picture.

This church was down from the Sturgill Baptist church. At least I assume it was once a church. There is no longer a sign.

But that's right. Beside it is the woman's outhouse.

The last church is one I've often admired on 321 as you're going into Blowing Rock. It's on the road to Bolick Family Pottery. The road is marked St. Mark's road so I guess it's St. Mark's church, though I didn't see a sign on the church.

I especially like this close-up of the shadow of the cross and the red leaves against the dark church.

A Watauga County Church

I spotted this church on Highway 194 between West Jefferson and Boone today. It is Saint Matthews Church. I loved it and took several pictures which I hope you enjoy. I would be interested to go by on a Sunday to see how many people attend. It looks like the perfect country church.

Mt. Airy & Virginia

I traveled to Mount Airy, Pilot Mountain, and into Virginia to visit the Fairy Stone State Park.

The Episcopal Church in Mount Airy is a beautiful church at one end of "Mayberry." It also has a red door.

I love this barn that I saw from Pilot Mountain.

This is the Creasey's Chapel United Methodist Church. I had to turn around to get a picture of this one. I love the steeple and the round window up front.

Jackson County

I took some photos in Jackson County last week.

This church is the Tuckaseegee Weslyan Church. I've always admired it. I got this shot with a school bus dropping off a whole gang of kids. If they all go to church there, that place must have it's share of laughter.

The barn is on Tom Sawyer's property. He has choose and cut Christmas trees, and this barn is on the road directing people to his farm. I really like the stone chimney. You seldom see such a nice chimney connected with a barn.