It was just an old Gothic Church
With spires pointing up to heaven
And dark green shutters over wide
Arching windows that made me
Stop that frigid, snowy day.
Within the stark sanctuary,
Fir branches and holly adorned
The windows and the organ,
Candles burned brightly in
Mysterious ways.
In silence, I sat and as I gazed
out the window, a barren village
met my eye. Granite stones with
Ancient names like Savery and
Shaw chiseled, names of
people long ago, who, once, like I,
found solitude within these walls.
And as I sat in contemplation
A familiar melody came
To mind, a silent night,
A virgin birth, a Creator
Of mankind.
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Union Church in South Carver, Massachusetts is a prime example of Gothic architecture with its towering spires and large arching windows. It was built in 1855 by William Savery, prominent Carver family, who donated the land as well as the materials for the Church. Unlike other churches in town, Union Church only opens its doors to the public on Old Home Day, the last Saturday in July and on the second Sunday in December in the late afternoon.
In the past, I have found myself in the cemetery reading markers on the graves. One can learn much about the history of our little town there.
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Comments: 84
adorable.
Also, I love the way you enlarge my vision of architecture.
Since I was little I have loved this little church...somehow it speaks to me of a time long passed when life wasn't so hectic. Each December I find myself coming here just to sit and in the silence feel the people who once sat in these pews. Electricity has never been installed in the Church...the descendants of the Savery family want it that way...which just suits me fine.
Though I must admit, I sat for a long time and my feet were frozen solid when I finally left.
The sepia images were taken last August when I needed some time to be by myself.
Ten stars from me.
This is a wonderful little church. I remember in the late 60's after seeing Arlo Guthrie's movie, Alice's Restaurant, that this would make a great "home for hippies". Of course when I told Mom, she was scandalized, "Bob, the Savery's would NEVER sell that church!"
It is a jewel and I love the fact that the descendants open it up twice a year to the public to wander in and sit for awhile. They do a wonderful job decorating it with natural flora for the one day in December.
You saw these images on skype when I tried to tell you what it was like inside this little church. Camera shake, huh? That's what causes the candles "mysteriously burning?".
Anyway, I digress. Your photos and poetry are just lovely.
Of course it would remind you of rural Vermont.....churches like these dot the New England landscape.
What you say is so true....some folks just don't see the value in these old structures. We are fortunate that members of the Savery family live in town and have the fore thought to know that what their ancestors built has meaning in this modern world. Last summer, they hired an expert restorer to rehabilitate the "points" on the window shutters...quite costly I heard, but they did it anyway.
Being a strong member in a historical society, I knew you would love this story.
The family is really quite firm that they would like to keep the Church as it was in 1855. The Savery Trust maintains the Church, the grounds and the cemetery. The first divided highway in America was created by William Savery and it is still used.
When I was doing research on this Church I came across an article on geocaching at Union cemetery.
Hugs and blessings - S.
Your photos and words are beautiful, Bob.
Spirits abound within this rose colored sanctuary. But no fear did I feel.
Thought you would enjoy this step back into the past.
When I worked at Ben Ellis School, I used to pass the Church and cemetery everyday. On the ride home, I often used to stop. I have learned much of the town's history from Connie Shaw, one of the descendants of Savery. She heads up the Historical Society in our town. Just last week I attended a meeting of the Society and they are talking about "the restoration of Lakenham Green"....and restoring King Philipp's Hall.
This cemetery one could spend a week in just musing over the lives of the people who once lived here. Did you know the first tea kettle in America was created here? And in the War of 1812, the cannonballs that were used came out of the iron foundries in South Carver. The iron hull of the Constitution also came from Carver. We may be a small rural town but we have played our part in colonial history.
The clouds that August day were incredible.
love
It was cold.....very cold. But then again, there's next year at Christmas or better yet, we can go on Old Home Day in July, the other day Union Church is opened.
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HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
May the New Year fill you with light and creative energy.
A great pictorial - I don't think I've ever seen a gothic structure I didn't like, this gingerbread gothic style always speaks to my heart.
Thanks so much for posting to Gather Sepia!
It's a gorgeous church....I am so glad the descendants of William Savery have kept it up and that they allow the general public access to it.