Wednesday, July 8, 2009

GONE


It is gone. The little roadside chapel of my youth. For more than 120 years it stood by the rambling creek, the Sunday morning gathering place of the farm families that lived in its vicinity. In its early days it was the center of social activity in the surrounding rural area. There were chicken suppers and ice cream socials, Easter and Christmas “programs” when the youngsters did recitations and raised their pure, sweet voices in loud (and sometimes discordant) celebration. For all those years, and four generations of my family, the old Seth Thomas clock ticked away the moments, as itinerant preachers offered up sermons based on the tenets of the Methodist Church. It seemed it would be there always, this cornerstone of my childhood, where the moral values instilled by my parents were reinforced and my faith in a higher power came to be. It is gone. Fallen to the relentless forward march of time. Through a veil of tears I pictured, still, my parents and their friends passing the time of day on the front steps. Surely this spot is hallowed for all time, caught forever in the memories of those of us who were fortunate enough to be a part of Nigh Chapel.

11 comments:

  1. Oh Bev, such memories are so bitter sweet.

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  2. No one can erase or demolish your wonderful memories, Bev. Sometimes the march of time is like Sherman's march to Atlanta - brutal and useless. I'm sending you a HUGE hug! Love & blessings, Terri xoxo

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  3. That is so sad,why would they take something so old and historic down. At least you have memeories.Beautiful Church. Such a Shame.

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  4. So very sorry your chapel is no more, Bev. If we were to lose our Friends Meeting House, I would feel the same way you do for your church.

    :(

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  5. Bev, I love your moving story of Nigh Chapel and what it meant to you. Had it fallen into such disrepair that it was beyond renewal? It is so sad when such treasures are disposed of like so much trash. Beautiful writing.

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  6. This post brought tears to my eyes, Bev. I hate seeing pieces of history disappear, and especially ones that have such meaning for so many people. It was such a pretty little chapel. I'm sad with you, but I'm glad you have such wonderful memories of it. Those will be with you always. ~Lori

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  7. How sad, but your memories are with you always . . .

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  8. I can't believe some one would tear that beautiful place down. I am heart broken for you. I just spent two hours looking at endangered properties in North Carolina and trying to decide if I can afford to restore one. I just wish people could see past the dollars and realize this is community, people. I am so sorry for your loss. The photo was lovely though.

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  9. OMGosh...I just found this post from the family site. Nigh Chapel was still there last time I drove by, but that's been months ago:(. It'll never be the same, it's true. Fortunately for us, God isn't confined to buildings....

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  10. :-((

    I guess we knew it was coming, but I didn't really want to believe it. I look at the photo and the old memories come flooding back. I remember those terrifying mornings as an Acolyte, hoping that my flame would not go out as I gingerly creeped it down the aisle (and there always seemed to be a puff of wind that would come out of nowhere, about half way down the aisle, too! ;-D ) I'm really glad we all went out there, took one last walk through it and got some pictures that day, even if it was raining. Did they end up just tearing it down? :-((

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  11. Uh... this is Gare-de-boy, by the way.

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