by Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain.

Member since:
September 20, 2007

Rosa Parks and a Church

July 21, 2009 10:00 PM EDT

views: 132 | comments: 62

With my job, I travel to 9 different counties. All of which are new to me since I have not "explored" Alabama. During my travels and when I have time, I try to capture some of the people's stories and a glimpse of the area.

Recently, I was going along State Highway 10 from Abbeville, Alabama heading to Clio when I found this:

I desperately wanted to venture into or at least peek into the house. The overgrown state of the grass, weeds, bushes, and trees kept me from venturing too close. Maybe next time, I will wear the appropriate attire for such adventure. Regardless, I could just imagine Rosa Parks spending part of childhood here and gazing over the fields.

My next find was found while traveling along Highway 51 from Clio towards Elba (which will be another photo essay). I spotted the top of a roof from the main road. I saw vines climbing, shingles missing, and the tip of a steeple.

Curiosity got the better of me and I had to take a look. I pulled off 51 onto Church Street and found myself in the Elamville community. There I found this:

As I photographed it, I thought of all the things that has happened in this church. Weddings, funerals, baptisms, services, gatherings...the list is endless. I do wish someone would come along with the funding to restore this old beauty.

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Tags: alabama, life, rosa parks, living, south, southern, church, abbeville, elamville

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Comments: 62

phil w. Jul 21, 2009, 10:16pm EDT

Wonderful photo essay and history lesson ,Renda ! Great shots.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:11pm EDT

Thank you, Phil, for the compliment and for tagging along. These two finds made for an interesting day :)

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Jim G. Jul 21, 2009, 10:17pm EDT

Interesting that Rosa Parks was born in Tuskegee, which was where the "Tuskegee Airmen" black fighter pilots trained during WW II & were instrumental in Harry Truman desegregating the Armed Forces. Great pics!

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:12pm EDT

It is, isn't it Jim? Thanks dropping by to see these.

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Human, Katherine, seeker of intergalactic life, inhabitant of Earth Jul 21, 2009, 10:24pm EDT

I very much enjoyed this article Renda..I too will daydream about what life must of been lived in abandoned buildings/homes. Makes it hard to be driving : - )

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:14pm EDT

Yes, thankfully, I have spare time sometimes and can stop and admire the treasures. The only thing I have to be careful about it not getting so caught up that I lose track of time. I did that when I first started this job and quickly learned to do my "sight seeing" after I finished all my visits when possible. Sometimes, if I'm not going back the same way...well, then I just have to stop and grab the shot :)

Human, Katherine, seeker of intergalactic life, inhabitant of Earth Jul 23, 2009, 11:16pm EDT

At least you always have new things to check out, there's only so many pictures I can take around the house....

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 25, 2009, 8:48pm EDT

Yes, I can understand that. I'm wanting to change the backyard as we speak to "enhance" the activity and hopefully draw more wildlife (birds and such) so I can photograph them.

Human, Katherine, seeker of intergalactic life, inhabitant of Earth Jul 26, 2009, 1:12am EDT

I'm thinking Bird houses that will actually draw the right birds to them...more feeders with specialized mixes...

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 26, 2009, 10:12am EDT

That's a good idea. We have trouble keeping wooden birdhouses because the squirrels like to chew them. We need to find some metal ones or something. I also want to build a pond with a waterfall. I think it will be nice and I liked seeing your birds at yours.
There's a lot we could do.....now I just need to save some money and do it.

Human, Katherine, seeker of intergalactic life, inhabitant of Earth Jul 26, 2009, 7:18pm EDT

The pond is a huge hassle...think long and hard about if you want to mess with one...ours is a prefab plastic mold and then Gary made the waterfall from boulders and rocks around his parents and our yards...we've had it since the first summer we moved in if I'm remembering correctly, and they really aren't all that expensive....but the pump needs to be big enough to move water..those are 100.00 or more.

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Steph-in-NE ..... Jul 21, 2009, 10:26pm EDT

love that church remind me of the song "old Rugede Cross"
I knew Rosa Parks lived there I did a essay on her in College a long time ago

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:15pm EDT

Rosa Parks led a very interesting life. You chose a very good person to do your essay on. That church is something else, isn't it?

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Human, Katherine, seeker of intergalactic life, inhabitant of Earth Jul 21, 2009, 10:27pm EDT

This has not shown up in my feed....I found it through my Group SKYWARD...odd...I was thinking I'm not getting all my connections stuff...

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:16pm EDT

I don't seem to be getting as much as I did before in my feeds. I just thought everyone was spending time outdoors. I hope if it's a glitch, then they get if fixed. Did you find out anything about it?

Human, Katherine, seeker of intergalactic life, inhabitant of Earth Jul 23, 2009, 11:14pm EDT

Nope, didn't research, just know I'm not getting everyones stuff, I'll have to fall back on stopping by my friends home pages to check out the recent posts and pictures, make sure I"m getting everything seen that I want to see

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 25, 2009, 8:47pm EDT

Yes, I need to do the same thing too.

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René Allen Jul 21, 2009, 10:48pm EDT

What a BEAUTIFUL and very EDUCATIONAL PHOTO ESSAY Renda!

This is FEATURED in Artistic Therapy!

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:17pm EDT

Hi Rene,
Thank you so much for the feature! I found some more interesting things yesterday and a few days ago during my additional travels :) I will work on getting those posted soon.

René Allen Jul 26, 2009, 9:29pm EDT

I hope that you do Renda, because this is EXCELLENT! The Church should definitely be restored as it has HISTORIC VALUE.

I had the pleasure of hearing Rosa Parks speak on more than one occasion at my Church. Surely she is missed by MANY.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 27, 2009, 8:38pm EDT

I'm still working on them, Rene. I had a few good days of some very good finds during my travels of visiting patients. It was very rewarding in more ways than one.
How fortunate you are to actually have heard Rosa Parks speak! I bet she was something else and just an incredible person! I would have liked to have heard her and met her in person.

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Lisa Frost Jul 21, 2009, 10:49pm EDT

wonderful photos. I think that would be a beautiful building to fix up, if it is in any condition to restore it.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:18pm EDT

I'm afraid that may be a part of the problem, Lisa. It probably would be very expensive to fix it up, but I would love to take a look inside. I tried peeking through the windows, but I was too short :(

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Marsha S. Jul 21, 2009, 11:11pm EDT

what a neat adventure! thanks so much for sharing it with us

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:18pm EDT

Thanks for tagging along, Marsha.

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JOHN BECK Jul 22, 2009, 12:50am EDT

That church could use work! I love what's left of the church sign.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:19pm EDT

Isn't that sign awesome? I had to zoom in when I downloaded it to make out that line about heaven and hell. Thanks, John.

René Allen Jul 26, 2009, 9:30pm EDT

I meant to mention that Church Sign Renda. You did a wonderful job capturing it on FILM.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 27, 2009, 8:36pm EDT

Thank you, Rene. It's been a LONG time since I've seen a wood carved sign on the side of a church....

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GayLynn P. Jul 22, 2009, 2:00am EDT

Beautiful essay, Renda. I love that old church. It should really be restored. Would love to see more about Rosa Parks house. It's odd that they have such a nice sign, but the property is unkempt. That's sad.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:21pm EDT

For some reason that old church really called to me. I wish a group would restore it. If I had the money, I would do it :) About Rosa Parks, I'm wondering if it is privately owned or what the deal is with it. It is very sad. I would have enjoyed being able to walk through it.

GayLynn P. Jul 23, 2009, 7:44pm EDT

I have always loved old buildings, their architecture and history. It would be fun to restore that church. It would make a beautiful museum or country store or community center, or many other uses. I hate seeing our history decay around us. Yes, the Rosa Parks house is very sad. It should be a monument to a woman to instigated a movement that resulted in tremendous change.

GayLynn P. Jul 23, 2009, 7:55pm EDT

I have a particular fondness for old barns. Somewhere I have a roll of film with some wonderful old barns on it. My thought was that one day I'd try painting the barns from the photos... Well maybe.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 25, 2009, 8:47pm EDT

You are so right. Her home should be a monument...it would make a neat little museum too. I hate to see buildings sitting like this too. I would be interested in your barn photos/paintings. I have a wonderful old tobacco barn photo in my archives.

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Janie E. Jul 22, 2009, 2:59am EDT

Awesome essay, Renda! The shots are fantastic!!

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:21pm EDT

Thank you, Janie.

Janie E. Jul 24, 2009, 2:12am EDT

You're very welcomed!

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Magi the magical poet is riding the wind again Jul 22, 2009, 5:45am EDT

I found this absolutely fascinating.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:22pm EDT

During my travels yesterday and one day last week, I managed to stumble upon some very interesting finds Magi. I will get around to posting those soon, I hope. Hope your week is going well.

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Nancy * Jul 22, 2009, 6:21am EDT

Wonderful photo essay, it's sad that no-one has kept up the church, perhaps somoene will, hopefully before it's to deteriorated to bring back to life.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:22pm EDT

Nancy, I think so too. I wish I could do it.

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Marianne R. Jul 22, 2009, 6:50am EDT

Beautiful photos and essay. Chiggers are bad this year. I would have stayed out of that tall grass too!

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:23pm EDT

Yeah, I don't want to get any chiggers! Or run into any snakes. I'm glad you enjoyed this Marianne.

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elizabeth e. Jul 22, 2009, 6:56am EDT

I'm smiling...you are a wanderer like I and on your adventure you found several gems. Sad that federal funds are not available to fix up the home Rosa lived in when she was small. Last Spring Papa went to Montgomery, Alabama and visited various Civil Rights places including the Rosa Parks Library and Museum. He got me a T-shirt that I'm wearing right now that says "The only tired I was, was tired of Giving in."

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:25pm EDT

Bob, ha! It is funny you should mention Montgomery.....those places are on my "must see" list. It is sad the home isn't fixed up. I love that saying! I'm going to have to pick me up one of those shirts when I go.
It's also funny you should mention being a wanderer. For a long time, my family referred to me as the "gypsy" ;)

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elizabeth e. Jul 22, 2009, 7:54am EDT

As for the church, it has some classic lines you were able to capture. Nice job.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:26pm EDT

Thank you, Bob. It was a neat old church.

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David W. Jul 22, 2009, 10:12am EDT

A very nice and telling photo essay. HIstory is not as dramtic when viewed first hand. Still, she changed the world.

I was stationed in Misssisippi in 1958 and ventured occaionaly into Alabama. It was not a welcoming place for a serviceman from New York in those days.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:28pm EDT

I can only imagine, David. Heck, some places I've had to venture into hasn't been very welcoming. Don't get me wrong, they aren't UNWELCOMING....but some of the people do look at you like they know you don't belong there. Fortunately, once they see I'm "medical".....they lighten up a little.

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Granny Janny H. Jul 22, 2009, 11:37am EDT

Visions of the past reflected in a unique perspective. I enjoyed it.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:28pm EDT

Thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed this!

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fancy c. Jul 22, 2009, 1:15pm EDT

so lovely

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:28pm EDT

Thank you, Fancy.

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Kat W. Jul 22, 2009, 10:11pm EDT

Interesting information on Rosa Parks. Wonderful shots of this charming country church. What a beauty she must have been when she was new.

Thank you for posting your wonderful photo essay at Pretty Pictures.

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 23, 2009, 7:29pm EDT

Kat, I bet she was something to talk about when she was "new". Now, she has a unique, regal beauty about her. Thanks for coming by :)

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Kay Bevis Jul 24, 2009, 5:21pm EDT

Ren, Great photo essay. Be safe on your travels :)

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 25, 2009, 8:42pm EDT

Thanks Kay. I'll be safe. I have more to come :)

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Ruthi C. Jul 24, 2009, 8:02pm EDT

It's a shame that both of these buildings sit vacant, both should be restored. Wonderful essay & wonderful job you have Renda!

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 25, 2009, 8:43pm EDT

I wish both would be restored, Ruth. It's so sad to see them decaying. I can only imagine the memories that were created in both of these. Thanks for the compliment! Glad you stopped by.

Ruthi C. Jul 25, 2009, 10:05pm EDT

Oh yes, there are plenty o' tales to be told within the walls o' these old buildings. I'm glad I stopped by too, Renda!

Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Jul 26, 2009, 10:10am EDT

So true, Ruth....so true :)

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Jennifer W. Aug 9, 2009, 8:34am EDT

Thanks for sharing. Just letting you know your content has reached 25 comments and has been removed from !!Need More Points!!

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