White Country Churches




I am slightly obsessed with white country churches.

Not really sure why.  I think it is because they are simple, yet beautiful.

Plus- white wooden churches are almost always 'old' - which makes me think of simpler times in society.  Back when God was feared and worshipped.

One of my former bank tellers used to have a sign in the bank window that said "Sitting in church doesn't make you a Christian any more than sitting in a garage makes you a car."

I know that it is not the building that matters.  Christians in China are just thankful when they can gather together anywhere  - who cares if it is in a cave or a basement or a house?

And I know that you cannot "judge a book by it's cover."  These cute churches could have been completely devoid of the holy spirit, where deceitful and unkind people showed up every Sunday to gossip and best one another in their latest clothing with their various church committee appointments. 

But I doubt it.

Life was too hard, back then.

Here are a few of the churches I have shared on my blog, before....


I love how the above church is without landscaping - just grass around old wood and a great roof shingle.

(how precious is that postcard?)

I took this next photo, but cannot remember where.



 My feeble brain is telling me it was the Highlands/Cashiers area - but my brain could be wrong.

This cute church is actually in Iceland.....



I did not take that one, but would love the opportunity to see Iceland (if you happen to know of a way I can get free airline tickets and a free place to stay).

 Somewhere in the Northeastern US.


And I posted about this round church here.


I just realized I need to try and paint this next church - complete with the curved rows of harvested corn....


 That picture is pretty much perfect.  The telephone wires will one day be a thing of the past, so I am glad they are included in the photoI love old telephone poles.  (That last sentence will raise my husband's blood pressure - he is ALL ABOUT placing things at 90 degree angles and new technology.)

I took this photo while biking the Cades Cove loop .....


It is supposed to get to 100 degrees here, today - not counting the humidity - I wish I was in Cades Cove, or maybe Maine, today...


Wow.  I can feel the breeze.

One more that I cannot credit to any photographer....

Jonah's Run Baptist Church, Clinton County, Ohio





And another Cades Cove church......

Check out that foundation - quite a slope.

 I pass this church on occassion in Ila (or maybe Hull), Georgia......


I don't know the Chandler family. 

I am glad someone saved and now maintains this building.  The new church is across the road. 


I am sure they thought it was beautiful when they built it.

Twenty years from now I may be painting 1960's brick church buildings and sharing them with you in a blog post.


You just never know.

Comments

Terry said…
There is no shortage of great little churches. Even the abandoned and the ruined inspire.
Mac n' Janet said…
Love the pictures, I too like simple white churches and Georgia is full of them
Love the pictures of the old white churches. I have seen the ones at Cades Cove. Such a pretty place.
I love the wonderful photos and I too have a "thing" for old churches! They just have a special feeling about them, I guess from all the years of triumphs and tragedies they have witnessed.
Looking at your pictures reminded me of reading Jan Karon's Mitford series of books with the lovely little town and all the sweet churches and people.
Have a great evening!
Tina xo
Oh yes, I adore old white churches too. I hate to pass up an opportunity to take their photo. Lovely painting!!
Wow! I found you on ETSY and put your church in my treasury! Your art is just wonderful! I really love it!
I am going to add you to my blog roll so I and others can keep up with what you're posting!
Isabel said…
I Love these:O)There is one nearby in a nearby Tx town that I will have to get a picture of and share with you, I love looking at it when we pass by it:O) Thanks for sharing:O)
Jamie said…
Heaven forbid you are painting those brick and wood "Brady Bunch" churches 20 years from now. Not that I would want to say anything against the house of our Lord. But if you did end up painting pictures of some -- am sure you could find the good in the design.
ladygray said…
I too have a slight obsession with little white country churches! Glad to know someone else does too!! :)