Here is this weeks photo prompt...
'This week capture what takes you back to moments past and reminisce a little.'
I drive past this building every day on my way to work. The photo below was taken a couple of years ago. This was the church of my grandparents, and my great-grandparents before that. Several generations of my family are buried in the adjoining cemetery, including my father.
But, as with many small country churches, attendance dwindled over the years until finally those who were left could no long sustain the expenses to keep it open. It was a sad day indeed when it was announced that the doors would be closing for good, the congregation dispersed to other local churches and the building put up for sale.
I have many fond memories of attending Sunday school here as a child, weddings (and some funerals too), strawberry socials, euchre nights, church bazarrs, etc. It saddens me that I cannot go inside it's doors anymore. The spirits of my ancestors are embedded in the walls.
The building was eventually sold and it now houses a Jewish day school and community centre. There is a large menorah where the church sign used to be. An 8' tall solid wooden fence has been erected to separate the cemetery from the building. It feels like an insult to the souls laid to rest there. Their eternal view of church of their youth and old age, life and death is forever blocked.
It's amazing the memories that old buildings bring back... when the family home was sold 2 years ago a lot of people assume it would be bulldozed as it is right on the edge of the University. It wasn't but you can see throught the front window when you drive past which I always do when I'm in Alberta and the bookcase between the dining room and living room is missing... I'm sure other things are too!
ReplyDeleteMy grandparents old house was bulldozed when the property sold and there now stands in it's place a huge monstrosity of a house that looks like the architect was intoxicated, high on drugs, demented or all three when he designed it. LOL
DeleteI like your comment of "The spirits of my ancestors are embedded in the walls". I completely understand what you mean. I think it's sad that there's a fence seperating the cemetary, and that you can't walk back inside, but at least they haven't torn down the old church - that would be heart breaking! Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's not even a 'nice' looking fence. It's ugly, in my opinion. I understand their desire for separation from the cemetery but I think a cast iron fence like the one at the front would have served the purpose and been much easier to look at.
DeleteAt least it's still a place for spiritual use instead of being torn down for a commercial use.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with that, don't get me wrong. I'm glad the building was saved and the fact that it is still a spiritual hub is fantastic. Times change and we must change with them. I'm just lamenting my personal sense of loss but only for a moment or two.
DeleteMy grandfather was a general contractor and he built the church that his family attended. Family and church was my grandmother's life. They tore that church down and built a new one in its place. Though I only visit the area occasionally, as all the people that mattered to me in that town are dead. I am pained when I see the new church and I understand how you feel,
ReplyDeleteWow Bonnie I think it's great that you got to attend the same church as your grandparents and great grandparents did. I bet it does hold some wonderful memories for you. Thanx for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo sad that this church could no longer sustain itself. I see many like this in our small town and other areas. Our own congregation is experience a huge decline in attendance and those of us who still attend will have to try and keep it going. Our ancestors built the church and it's a sad thing to think someday it could be closed. Our younger generation does not have the attachment that we do....nor the committment.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how things change, but still bring back those memories!
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