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.

Some Churches I Drive By

In Marion there are two churches on Main Street at either end of town. The more imposing structure -- almost castle-like -- is the First Baptist Church of Marion which was established in 1862. Though it is imposing, it is still an inviting structure. I think it would be a nice place to go and sit and think. Usually I don't like big brick churches, but this one has a lot of interest to it.

At the other end of town is a more homey looking church -- St. John's Episcopal Church. I love the red door. It invites you to come inside. The steeple is pretty too,l and the plain, narrow windows throughout. The church looks like it should be along the coast instead of in McDowell County. (That's my daughter sitting and waiting for me to get my photo).

Both of these churches look especially nice with the backdrop of Mount Ida just south of Marion. This particular evening there was a large thunderhead building behind the mountain, which was the best church of all.

Another church I pass by all the time is in Buncombe County. It is the little Avery's Creek Christian Church on Highway 191. It is a very small church with lovely stone steps -- another red door -- and an old graveyard behind it. I guess I must really like red doors. I don't know if many people go there. The parking area is all in grass and it doesn't look worn. I wasn't even sure if I could pull in there. But I've always admired it. I bet those folks can make the rafters ring when they get to singing, the church is so small.

Churches in Full Bloom

Over the last 3 weeks, I was able to take some photos of local churches with plantings of rhododendrons in full bloom.

The first church was photographed on May 10. It's in the Wilkesboro community on Boomer Rd. The round stained glass over the front door is of Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane.

The other churches were taken about a week or so later -- all in Avery County. Rhododendrons were one of the reasons that Avery County got into the nursery industry. Folks used to dig them from the woods, then they started growing them. It only makes sense that they plant them around their churches. This first church is on Cow Camp Road and is the Presbyterian Fletchers Church.

The next church is at the intersection of 221 and 181 and is the Pineola Presbyterian Church. I also have a picture of it taken a couple of weeks prior to this one before the rhodos started blooming.

The last church is the Linville Falls Community Church. It reminds me of the old hymn, oh come to the church in the wild wood.

Today's Winner

This barn caught my eye today with a pond in front of it surrounded by flag irises. It is on Bethel Rd in Watauga County.

Getting Started

This blog is about churches (that's the doves) and barns (that's the swallows) that I like and have photographed.

First let me say that I am not a professional photographer, but I do use a lot of photography in my profession. Ever since my brother gave me my first camera (a Nikon F-series in 1982) I've enjoyed photography. I like how worrying about taking a good picture makes me think about what I'm really seeing. I wish I was a better photographer, and I thought this project would help me practice.

So why barns and churches? In western North Carolina where I live and work, there are so many beautiful examples of both. I guess I decided to get serious about enjoying them.

Barns and churches really have a lot in common. They aren't structures that people spend a lot of time in like their homes. Yet, you end up looking at them a lot, so people through the years have taken pride in their community church and their barns. That doesn't mean that folks always had a lot of money for these structures, but that often makes them that much more unique and interesting.

Barns and churches are also all about what you put your stores in. That's obvious with barns, but it's also true of churches. It's where people put their faith and their friendships. It's a constant in changing times.

Times have changed a lot in western North Carolina. A lot of barns have seen better days -- some churches have as well.  It's sad when beautiful old buildings aren't taken care of. At least I can take a picture of them.

My first image is from about a month ago in the Altamont area of Avery County. I personally don't like all these barn quilts, but this one is rather nice, especially with the Christmas trees behind it.

Just a bit further down the road was this pretty scene. I don't know what the name of this church is, but it depicts what I want to show in the blog. After all, people need their gardens and their ponies. They also need their churches.

On the way back home I took a picture of this stone church in the North Cove of McDowell County. From this church you view the narrow end of the valley that makes up the North Cove, travelling up to Linville Falls on 221. I think this church by its location as well as it's pretty stonework would help people remember God.