When you're traveling the back roads and passing through small towns, the most prominent landmarks you see are the water towers, courthouse domes, and church steeples, not necessarily in that order of prominence.
Today, I am featuring some of my pictures of steeples I've captured during my travels, ranging from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, to the Mississippi Delta, and to the hills of Tennessee.
Some of them are ornate architectural works of art, some are primitive, and some of them are falling down, but I think they are all beautiful, and I'm so glad I was able to preserve them in my pictures — especially the ones that have been abandoned and are fading away with time.
This first picture is one of my favorites. It is the steeple of the First United Methodist Church of Biloxi, Mississippi. Although it was battered and bent as it stood directly in the path of Katrina, one of the most destructive hurricanes in history, the cross is still holding on ... a symbol of hope and inspiration to the people of the Gulf Coast.
My favorite steeple in Vicksburg, and one of the most prominent landmarks you can see for miles, is the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church steeple.
St. Marks Episcopal Church, ca 1854
Raymond, Mississippi
St. Paul Catholic Church, Vicksburg
First Presbyterian Church, Vicksburg
Old Church at Grand Gulf, Mississippi
Presbyterian Church, Port Gibson, Mississippi
Mississippi Delta, near Anguilla, Mississippi
St. Mary Basilica Catholic Church, Natchez, Mississippi
Sisters of Mercy, Vicksburg
Satartia Methodist Church, Mississippi Delta
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Canton, Mississippi
Grace Episcopal Church, CA 1853, Canton
Presbyterian Church, Edwards, Mississippi
St. John's Episcopal Church, CA 1842
Columbia, Tennessee
Abandoned church near Mound, Louisiana
If you are ever near one of the towns mentioned above, I hope you will take the time to see these churches and steeples for yourself.
7 comments:
You've captured the grandeur and the glory and the How Great Thou Art, and, with so many things so precious in the South---the small ones, the well-used ones, the ones with their years and their history graven on their faces, are the ones which remain in memory.
The last, tiny one, which could be anything from a church to a storefront to a dogtrot house---that one is the one which is so memorable. The TWO steeple-rooms---I doubt there were two stories, but I'll bet there was an echo in those tall chambers---and the screen-porch and the big old concrete block supports.
Those say Mississippi of days gone by, and the DOUBLE screen-doors, sagged from their years of ushering in the Faithful---those doors say, "Y'all COME RIGHT IN!!"
These are wonderful, Janie! I love steeples. Your photos are amazing!
Very creative post Janie. I've always been intrigued by the steeple in Port Gibson. And didn't know about the one on the Gulf Coast.
Also, your post below about the pansies and snapdragons motivates me! LOL
Awesome pictures... Wow!
Rachel, as usual says it best. I was thinking of all the loving hands, and probably sacrifices made that went into every one of these beautiful houses of worship. I seem to be partial to the smaller ones, as well as the "down and outters." Have noticed in our travels that the Episcopal churches are always so well maintained and have such character.
Wonderful, wonderful photographs, Janie! Loved all of the steeples.
XO,
Sheila :-)
love, love your steeples!!! i've only seen the one in natchez and i was in awe.....as always, you captured your subject and as always, i enjoyed!!!!!
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