A Sunday Drive

It's HOT today. Didn't stop the hubby from golfing, although he just came home a little earlier than usual. Asked him why? "Too hot, it's hot outside", he replied. I guess he didn't know that this morning when he left at 9:30. Anyhoo, mom and I decided to take a drive. I had a post I wanted to do, but the area was closed due to the flooding. Mom suggested I wait until the fall when the color changes. Good idea.

So then I had been thinking about Macon. It's full of churches and I thought it would be a neat idea to publish all the churches in town. Then I had another idea. We used to take drives out in the country when I was younger. Dad would just drive looking at the scenery. Sometimes he would take a country road between our hometown and the town I live now. There was an old church that sat atop a hill that always made me feel good when I saw it. It made me curious to know and understand the history behind it. I've often wondered why people quit going there. So today, mom and I drove to that little sweet church I remembered as a kid. My heart sank. There is a long gravel road leading to the church at the top of the hill. Upon approach I could see the roof had caved.

I love this road. It's a wide gravel road with trees welcoming visitors throughout the tour. It's always given me a warm feeling like I've experienced this road many moons ago before my time. I can't explain it, weird I know. It leads to the church.

Two minutes before I took this shot, my heart was melting. Really it was. Several years ago the hubby's friend came up to visit. He loves photography and I told him abou this church. He took some pictures, so I hope I can convince him to send me one if he still has them. We were able to go inside. Nothing fancy. Very simple and primitive. There's no reason for fluffy stuff during worship. There was a lot of deteriorating wood and dirt. All the furniture had been moved. Notice the sign? A politician couldn't resist. If I wouldn't get arrested, I would've moved it across the street in the brush. But I didn't. Remember, you are what you think.

The name of the church is Mt. Olive, but I can't remember if it's Baptist or Christian. It really does make me sad to see it in this shape. I always love the way a church sits on top of a hill. It's welcoming. There used to be a lot of character to this simple little beauty. I wish I could spend one day back in time...This is the Mt. Olive Cemetery. Very peaceful. Donations are needed for it's upkeep. Admiration doesn't begin to describe how I feel for the ones who take care of it.

We got back in the car and headed to College Mound. I remember when I was little we'd go to the lake and church camp would be in session. Take a look:

This is the Church of God Holiness 1946. The windows and doors appear the same. No air conditioning here. When it is in session, the doors open on the window and entrances. It's so cool to see people sitting inside.

This is really just a cool church. Really cool.

Down the blacktop for a few more miles, we took a side road to see the Ardmore Baptist Church, however, we came across a Methodist Church. Ardmore, a superduper, incredibly small town where my mom grew up. I had no idea there would even be one church, but two. There was a dilapidated building right across the gravel that I neglected to get a picture of. Mom told me it was an old country store. I'll have to go back some day and get it before it hits the ground for good.

This is the Ardmore Baptist Church. I had the privilege of meeting Bro. Wells at the YMCA a couple of years ago. We walked together for about an hour or more. It was fun to find out I went to school with his 3 children. We knew a lot of the same people. Jim told me he got this church back up on it's feet. He described it as small and loving. No reason to have a lot of money to belong. He was proud of the fact people were helping him roof and do some other repairs/remodel to it. He told me not to expect much of the building, but it was definitely a church with wonderful people. I'm so sure it does. I talked to his daughter last winter and she told me he finally retired and was spending the winter in Texas. I think about him and this church often wondering how they are both doing.

We hop back in the car and go to Fairview. This is a small church with a beautiful cemetery behind it also. We saw this small building beside it. We wondered if it was a one room school house.

Looks like it could've been. There was another big building across the road from it. I wish I could've gotten a picture. It looked as though someone was storing stuff in there for personal use. It had a huge double door with an old, curved, metal light hanging above it. Reminded me of an old store.

Across the blacktop from Fairview Chapel sat this beauty. Mom told me she thought it was for sale a while back. Darn, I could see me and the hubby growing old together here. Annie and the other girl, Kia, could run until they couldn't run anymore. ReyRey would enjoy life looking out the top center window. That would be his room. Ha.

I hope you don't get car sick. We headed to Mt. Salem next. Not too far away.

Several still attend this church. There is a brand new metal building beside it. We figured that was their new church or a building for Sunday School. I didn't get a picture, but it kinda ruined the moment for me. I love the old style. Speaking of which, look at this:Do you see what I'm talking about?An old water pump. My aunt used to have one of these on her back porch. I loved to play with it. She used it to water her flowers. I love it. Again, speaking of old style take another look:

An outhouse. I love it. What a hoot. I love it's been taken care of gently. New siding, new paint. I wondered if there was a potty inside. I was too afraid to look. It was probably locked, or had a snake or two. So I kept my distance.

I hope you enjoyed our tour of old chapels. We wanted to go to two more. We had a late lunch, decided it was just too hot to continue so we went to one of my favorite stores. Ben Franklins.

Isn't it yummy? We can spend a lot of time here. If I only had a lot of money.

This piece truly belongs in front of my big window in my dining area. I'm sure it would work as a buffet don't you?Look at these two. Snowwitches. I love them. I'm going to have to work on adding these to my snowpeople collection.Look at the carrot noses. Pumpkins galore. Time is getting close to pulling out those favorite fall decorations. Now get a grip. Mom found some new glasses. Which do you prefer?I think these suit her best don't you? Makes me feel like she's paying more attention!! Ha! Sorry for such a long post, I got a bit carried away. Everyone have a great week! Stay cool!!