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| Joppa Baptist Church, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky © Doug Hickok There was a time in the 19th century when the Kentucky hills, in the area that is now Mammoth Cave National Park, were populated by several scattered communities of settlers. Many had small churches like this for sanctuary on Sundays. Although the original church of 1862 no longer exists, this simple country church was built around 1900. A church such as this often served as a center for community activities as well. Country churches in this region typically had two entrance doors, one for men and one for women. Many a God-fearing soul has walked the creaky wooden floors past the pews shown here. The communities have gradually disappeared, but this little church and the cemetery next to it survive and are still used occasionally for special gatherings. Surrounding the church are miles of dense woodlands that conceal what lies beneath. Located under this church is the largest cave system in the world. 390 miles of caves have been explored so far. Only about 10 miles are open to the public, who can see the caverns on guided tours. We didn't have enough time to join one of these tours while on our road trip, but later this week I will show you the sink hole we hiked to. Because, really, what IS a vacation without a visit to the local sink hole? |
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Rural Sanctuary
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Great composition and point of view! Movie like Doug.
ReplyDeleteI like these small quite simple and modest churches, they often have a lot of charm as this one
ReplyDeleteHas ha....absolutely, no vacation would be the same without such a visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fascinating background to this frame which fills in the history and heritage of a time not so long ago perhaps when the world was a very different place. Cultural beliefs and lifestyles always intrigue me, and this structure stands as a reminder of how diverse we are as a species with our order and structure to life and religion, our place in the world.
A terrific low down perspective offers a very interesting angle on the wooden detail and my eyes are drawn to the escape hatch in the ceiling, my dark mind offering up some stories...
love that perspective
ReplyDeleteКрасиво! Мне нравится ваш угол зрения!
ReplyDeleteNice vibe created with this capture Doug!
ReplyDeleteWONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo true...if you haven't visited the local sink hole it can hardly be considered a complete holiday.
ReplyDeleteLove the perspective here. I've been down in those caves. Truly awe-inspiring. And it makes you wonder what else is beneath our feet as we move blithely over the surface of this remarkable planet.
Sorry I can't help this: little house on the prairie.
ReplyDeleteLove your angle. Happy Sunday!
This photo looks very good from this perspective, I like it. And I think people like this peaceful church. 390 miles of caves? It is very interesting!
ReplyDeleteThe low viewpoint makes your shot very eye-catching and likable. Excellent work.
ReplyDeleteHa! Do they have glow worms in their caves?
ReplyDeleteIf so, is this a glow worm's eye view?
What a shame you and Becky didn't move those pews on the left slightly towards the left direction, to give the photo a better symmetry! Ha~
Surely, you had time to move the pews. :^)
A truly iconic country meeting house.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Great POV. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteSo atmospheric - I can almost feel the ghosts of those long-gone worshippers.
ReplyDeletelove the pov .. and also the shadows n lights of chairs .
ReplyDeletegreat work Doug
very effective angle and perspective again, and warm and appealing tones!
ReplyDeleteExcellent approach here Doug--I love the perspective you chose and the resulting shot leads our eyes heavenward. Great shot!
ReplyDelete