Additional info on an old church

 

The church in Madison County NC has more information, so I'm giving a new post to cover what I've learned.

Here's the marker which stands near it.

"Early sessions of Madison County court were held in a log house on this site between 1851 and 1859. Bell Institute, a school operated by the Presbyterian Church USA, served the area. The school house and a dormitory stood a few yards west."

Location. 35° 51.037′ N, 82° 44.183′ W. Marker is near Marshall, North Carolina, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Walnut Drive and Barnard Road (County Road 1151), on the right when traveling south on Walnut Drive.  

From Historic Markers

An enlargement of the area, showing "Academy St." and the area churches which are still open, but not the little unnamed church where the marker stands. I'm pretty sure the school house was on Academy St. or School St. which  is right off of it. The community is still known as Walnut.

And another great source of Madison County historic information, friend Vicki Lane commented in this way:

"It's not been a church for many years. I think it was Methodist or Presbyterian but not sure. It's a gorgeous building and was recently given to a local charity but what their plans for it are, I don't know. It has no rest rooms and, with the graveyard all around it, no way of putting in a septic tank."

I'm always interested in the background of an area...especially old buildings which even have historic markers in front of them!

And since the cemeteries are so near to this church, I imagine many of the ancestors buried there used to worship in the church.

 I offer this meditation which I came upon from "A Network for Grateful Living" which sends me a quote every day. The other day this came and was very appropriate for grieving the loss of life, which continues in so many unexpected places. 

A Meditation on Grief by Jack Kornfield

Going into OZ

We received an invitation to lunch at Vicki Lane's, and Susan knew how to get to her house! So I got to be a passenger on the drive to Vicki Lane's home. I'd attended a reading and discussion of her latest book in Black Mountain a few weeks ago, and afterward we'd had lunch with our mutual friend Susan. It was a lovely ride up through Madison County, including seeing a deer on a steep slope above a creek (too fast to photograph of course.)

The first house we saw as we drove up the gravel road...there were at least 4, maybe 5 before we met Vicki at her barn, where she was in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. She said that was necessary to reach her house, and I agreed completely after we lurched up over many rain breaks across the road.

Finally we were at Vicki's home. I'd seen so many snaps of different parts of her farm and home, it was somewhat a dream to have them flow together into a reality in which I could walk. It felt like being in Oz. (But just to be clear, Vicki isn't anything like Dorothy...in my mind anyway!)

She showed us her azalea which has three colors of blooms on it, on the side of the path.

Susan was ahead of me on the path...

What happened to this photo? I love the gate with the moon, so I'm keeping it. If Vicki wants to share a version of it which is more proper, that's her choice!

Vicki made fresh Focaccia bread to go with a fabulous mixed salad. Her kitchen was reminiscent of everyone's grandma's...if they'd been good cooks at least.

It was great to see the "Castle People" and the cabinet where Vicki's granddaughter plays with them.  We even were able to see some new art by Vicki and Josie

I enjoyed her pretty orchids...still blooming while mine have all stopped for the season.

We had a wonderful view of mountains and valleys, as well as a blue feeder for birds right outside the window. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak visited there.  While we ate we enjoyed learning more about Vicki's life, and just having great relaxed conversation.

Vicki Lane

Susan Moore

Vicki Lane and Barbara Rogers 

Desert was served in "Calamityware" which causes chuckles for those who look closely at the designs!

Such a beautiful vista of mountains from Vicki's porch! She's a wonderful gracious hostess, and has a wealth of information about the area where she lives. It was like having lunch with any author, just think, like L. Frank Baum talking about OZ. Yep, we went into another world. I asked Vicki if they'd named their home...like lots of older mountain homes. Apparently someone gave them a sign that says "No Fun." That's just about the opposite of my experience!

And I'll finish this lengthy report of our lovely luncheon visit with the Foxglove, which I think she's also shared on her blog. And if you don't already look at her blogs,  here's a link to it!

This is a photo of her mystery novels which take place in a location much like her own home (and Asheville.) And her latest (below) is a historical novel, taking place in Shelton Laurel and Marshall NC.

Today's quote:

Embrace the light and let it guide you

beyond the winds of desire.

There you will find a spring and 
nourished by its sweet waters
like a tree you will bear fruit forever.

 —Rumi