Last weekend we had the opportunity to "visit" this "Friendly Little Church on the side of the road" in Florahome, FL. I've been there before, and I may have shown some pictures of the outside here before, but on this day we were privileged to go inside and I could take pictures to my heart's content. Maybe you will enjoy coming in with me.
The occasion for our visit wasn't for a church service. No, something quite different.
Our son, the carpenter, was asked to construct a sound booth for the sanctuary, to accommodate their new sound and technology equipment. They are bringing this little historic church in the country up to modern standards as far as the sound system and visual technology goes. Everything else will remain the same...
Anyway, our son needed a helping hand to hold some things in place while he fastened them together, and so my hubby was willing and able to assist him for a while, and I took advantage of this time to take some pictures that I've been wanting to get for a long time.
This is our son, but he is not finished yet. Still had some trim and other things to do to complete the job, but we had done our part to help him. I wish I had a picture of the finished work. I should ask him to send one to me.
I will start with these ancient oak doors and the very unique door handle.
Can you imagine how many people have come in to worship through these doors over the past century?
The sign outside says the church was founded in 1914. I was thinking it was older than that, but still, that is over 100 years old, so that is still pretty significant.
The thing that is so unique about this little country church is this beautiful stained glass window that catches your eye when you first walk in. I've never seen one just like it, kind of a wagon wheel design.
The sanctuary is beautifully decorated for Christmas.
Then I love to look at these beautiful old oak curved back pews. I also love that picture of Mary, weeping at the foot of the cross of her precious Son, Jesus, as He was dying for the sins of the world.
Reminds me now of the Christmas song, "Mary, Did You Know?"
"Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you
Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am.
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know?
Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Mary did you know? Oh
Mary did you know?"
(Written and sung by Mark Lowry)
The Nativity Scene is waiting for the Baby Jesus to appear.
The Christmas tree is filled with ornaments all about the Christmas story
Beautiful stained glass window in the back of the sanctuary;
Walking back outside, I was happy to see the camellia bushes are starting to bloom:
A peaceful little garden area in the courtyard:
The back of the church:
Such a pretty little country church:
And then I walked around their beautiful oak shaded yard to see their wonderful outdoor Nativity display....again we await the arrival of the Christ Child on Christmas Eve:
Last year our church choir joined their church choir for a special Christmas service of singing Christmas carols and then we came outside for a candlelight service at this scene and sang Silent Night together. It was so very beautiful and peaceful. Following that we had a time of fellowship and lots of good food! Sadly, we won't be able to do that this year because of the "restrictions".
Praying life will start returning to "normal" soon. Praying for all those who are still suffering from this horrid disease, and praying especially for those who have lost loved ones in this battle.
Focusing our thoughts on Christmas and the Baby Jesus who came to "one day rule the nations"...
The Great I Am...
May He soon restore healing, peace and comfort to our land.
Amen.
I hope you enjoyed this little tour of the "Friendly Little Church on the side of the road".
Have a blessed and beautiful Advent weekend.
I did enjoy the tour of the little church - it is beautiful and I love visiting similar ones. You had good pictures.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you could come along on this little tour and that you enjoyed it. It is a beautiful little church, and the people love the Lord there too, which makes it even more beautiful!!
DeleteThanks for sharing these lovely pictures. I love the old and small churches like this. I grew up in one similar and it brings back so many wonderful memories. That is in my top 4 Christmas songs. The camellias are all loaded with blooms on my street. It is usually January before they all pop open. However, all things have been on different schedules in 2020:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy. I love these old country churches too, so full of the joy of the Lord and happy to still be serving Him! I miss having camellias in my yard here at this house. I had them at the last house, and some would be blooming now and some later. I just haven't gotten around to planting any here...they are expensive to buy new plants. Enjoy yours for me!
DeleteYou need to be on the look out in your outings for a locally owned nursery. Thereis one in Crestview which is in the north end of our county. It is huge and things are priced so much better than say a Lowe's or Home Depot. That is where we got our lemon tree and camellias and they were bigger and half the price.
DeleteSuch a beautiful church. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy. It is a beautiful church, full of the joy of the Lord, and that is what matters most!
DeletePretty little Church. The decorations are very festive.
ReplyDeleteHope y'all have a happy Friday. :)
Thank you, Sparky. It is a very happy little church in the country, full of the joy of the Lord. I hope you have a blessed and beautiful weekend too.
DeleteI love these beautiful old churches that we see here in the South. The wagon wheel stained glass window is gorgeous! I know you were happy to spend time there and take pics to share. Enjoy your day sweet lady. holiday hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane. I love them too. And there are many of them scattered about, and many still in service to the Lord. That is what I love best! They are still singing His praises there every Sunday! (except when they had to close for this crazy virus). Holiday Hugs back to you!!
DeleteOh, what a lovely and quaint little church, Pamela! Thank you for taking us on a tour today. Looking forward to the coming of Jesus as you are.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you, Martha! Yes, the 2nd coming of Jesus is what I am waiting for and watching for every day!! I think Christmas would be an awesome time for His return, but I know He's not going to let us know beforehand. WE just need to be ready at all times! Blessings to you too.
DeleteSuch a beautiful little church, thanks for taking us along on the tour!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you could come along. It was a delightful time and such a serene little sanctuary.
DeleteWOW! That is a beautiful old church. There is a treasure trove of interesting photos in and around the church. Thank you so much for sharing these. i scrolled through ever so slowly, just to be sure to catch it all.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth! I am so glad you enjoyed them. I enjoyed being there and feeling the Presence of the Lord. So much history and joy in that place!
DeleteI love visiting churches like this one. You may remember passing a similar one when you guys visited the Old Sautee Store near Helen, it is across from the Indian Mound. They leave the doors unlocked and I love visiting there with the golden sunlight shining thru the stained glass windows. How grand that Benton was asked to do this work for the church. Yes, I hope he will shar a photo of the finished project, I love Mark Lowrys song Mary did You Know. I hope you will have a nice weekend.🎄
ReplyDeleteI just went back and added a couple of pictures of the finished sound booth that Benton sent me. We probably did see the church near the Old Sautee Store, but we didn't have time to stop. I wish I'd known it was unlocked. I would have enjoyed that. I love these little old historic churches, but especially when they are still in use and still serving the Lord! I hope you have a blessed weekend also.
DeleteHe did a great job.
DeleteI do not want to share a l ink to your page but if you are on Pinterest, type in Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Helen GA to see photos
DeleteThank you. I will check that church out.
DeleteGorgeous church! I absolutely love that picture of Mary at the foot of the cross. Such a powerful image. I put a large empty basket under the tree right after we finish decorating and on Christmas morning, the kids come out to baby Jesus in it! We've done that for more than 30 years, first for my kids and now for my granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteThat's a neat tradition that I've never heard of before. I like that idea. Thank you for sharing it! Yes, that picture really struck me. I am assuming it is His mother Mary. It could also be Mary Magdalene, but I think Mary His mother is a better picture, especially now in this season.
DeleteSuch a picturesque little church, and what an honor for your son to be asked. I'm so taken by that door handle. Wow. In spite of having lived many years in Florida, I'm going to have to look up Florahome. Because one of my church friends has been diagnosed with double pneumonia and Covid, I'll probably revert back to worshiping online.
ReplyDeleteFlorahome is a very tiny little town north west of Palatka. If you blink you will miss it. But it has an interesting history. See if you can find it. I am sorry to hear about your church friend. That is so sad. Praying she will be able to pull through this horrid disease. May the Lord give her the strength to fight it. Yes, you probably need to do that for a while. So very sorry.
DeleteBreathtakingly beautiful. smiles
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I am glad you liked it. Did you send me your mailing address? I think I responded about the Christmas cards...
DeleteThat lovely 'country' church is so distinctive with that amazing wagon-wheel-like stained glass window. Benton did a great job on the cubical for the sound equipment and people! Mary, Did You Know is at the top of my favorite Christmas songs and I always get teary when I hear... when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God. That chokes me up every time. I loved this post, Pam!! xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri. It was a great experience for him to do this for this sweet little church. And then, I agree with you about the song...I just listened to it again and felt those same emotions. So powerful when we realize that little Baby in the Manger is God Almighty in the flesh..."The Great I Am." So amazing He came to save us. We sure do need His saving power today in this land.
DeleteIt was like a trip back to the tiny country UMC church my mom's family attended and that was one I visited often growing up. This brought back some wonderful memories. What a wonderful gift. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stacy. I love that you considered this a "gift". I understand exactly what you mean. There is something wonderful about worshiping the Lord in a more peaceful, simple way,...the way Jesus came to us...in a peaceful, simple manger...to save us all from our sins. That IS the gift we celebrate! (((hugs))) Sometimes we just need to get back to the 'basics'.
DeleteHe did good work!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful church. I especially like the exterior, the oak doors & your photo of the pews & wall
That is a beautiful old church, can you imagine the memories inside those walls? WoW Thanks for sharing with us. Sound booth looks very nice, your son did a great job! Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteBeautiful country church...
ReplyDeletePam, this little country church is beautiful. I truly love older buildings, even though they can be more than a little challenging to navigate due to uneven floors, steps that are super narrow/steep. We have many churches like this in my area too.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!