A Steeple Chase Through the Northwest Hills

Way back on October 23rd of last year, Princess Patti of Ansonia in the Valley and I got together on a sunny Saturday with beautiful blue skies and tolerable temperatures to explore a bit of Northwestern Connecticut.  The object of our adventure was to ferret out and photograph some foliage before it was gone for another year.

Patti, a blogger whom I have had the pleasure of getting together with in real life several times, lives a little over an hour away from me just a bit past New Haven and much closer to the northwest hills so it made sense to meet at her royal residence and venture forth from there.  Her loving spouse who is also a blogger, Prince Ralph, had prepared a list of places for us to check out so we set out with his list, a partial bag of donuts, and my GPS unit to see what we could see.

In addition to being an ace reporter for the New Haven Register, Patti is also a professional passenger as her Prince is usually in charge of operating their royal carriage whenever they traverse the countryside so I put her in charge of directions as we headed out of Ansonia. Along the way she pointed out sites of interest in her town as well as a few of the surrounding ones as I got a chance to see parts of Connecticut that were new to me.

I've got a lot of pictures of our journey to share but for today I thought I'd just post pictures of some of the "quintessential white clapboard New England churches" that we found along the way.  There might not have been much for foliage but in New England, you can always find a nice church or two to take pictures of!

Our first stop was this beautiful 1829 meetinghouse which is the First Congregational Church of Litchfield located - not surprisingly - on the Litchfield Green and part of the 1959 designated "Old and Historic Litchfield Historic District".  Sounds a bit redundant, huh?

A special act of the Connecticut General Assembly designated the entire borough of Litchfield as an historic district giving it the rather redundant name above - the first such district in Connecticut. On November 24th, 1968, a central portion of the borough was given National Historic Landmark status as "Litchfield Historic District", and on November 29th, 1978, the entire borough was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an historic district. So see? It wasn't just Connecticut that thought Litchfield was historic - the bigwigs in Washington did, too!

The next church we stopped at (where the picture of Patti at the beginning of this post was unknowingly taken!) was the Warren Congregational Church whose motto is "Loving hearts, serving hands, growing faith". The Warren meeting house was built in 1818 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Unlike Litchfield, I don't believe that the entire town of Warren was, though!

Continuing through the northwest part of the State, we came across the North Canaan Congregational Church which is actually located off of Route 44 in East Canaan and not all that incredibly far from the Massachusetts border.

I believe the meeting house was built sometime around 1822 or so but I was able to find darned little information on the church!  Maybe someone from North Canaan or East Canaan or just Canaan in general will stumble across this post and enlighten me a little bit!

The last white-spired meeting house that I took pictures of is the Norfolk Church of Christ Congregational located on the green in beautiful Norfolk, a very lovely town that I'm pretty sure I'd like to visit again! The current meeting house was completed in 1814 to replace the original 1770 meeting house which stood on the same spot and was too small to hold the growing congregation.

You probably can't see it very well in these pictures but this church has a very unusual feature in that the spire has a cross at its apex. Placed there upon completion of the building in 1814, it is “the only Puritan Meeting House whose spire from the first was surmounted by a cross and the same cross still points skyward.”

As you can see from the blue skies surrounding the white spires of all the churches we spotted, it was a beautiful day in spite of the fact we weren't finding too much foliage to speak of as we wandered through rural Connecticut. Even with the lack of color though I, for one, had a lovely afternoon and I'm pretty sure that Patti did, too. We even got to one of Connecticut's few historic covered bridges and I'll be posting about that soon - just give me some time to finish getting the photos together!

A Quintessential New England White Clapboard Church

Chances are good if you’ve ever looked at any pictures of New England , you may have seen one or two featuring a white clapboard church. Those churches are as New England as chowder, fall leaves, and the Boston Red Sox and one of my most favorite things to take pictures of when I get the chance.

On my recent trip to Concord I had the chance to take pictures of what could be called “a quintessential New England white clapboard church” when I came upon the First Parish in Concord Unitarian Universalist Church located pretty much smack in the center of town just up the road a piece from the houses of Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne that I wrote about yesterday.

The current building is actually the fourth meetinghouse for the parish that was “gathered” in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The congregation's first meetinghouse was located across the street from the present one on Concord's “Old Hill” which is now a historic cemetery (and no, I didn’t get a chance to visit it so yet another reason I need to go back to Concord!)

A larger meetinghouse was constructed on land across from “Old Hill” between 1667-1673 and it too was eventually replaced by a third and even larger building in 1711. That building was renovated in 1791 and then again in 1841 when it was turned 90 degrees to the north to face Lexington Road – a practice that was not all that uncommon back in those days.

Fifty-nine years later on April 12th, 1900, the third meetinghouse burnt to the ground during a tragic fire that also caused the steeple bell to partially melt. That bell is sitting on the lawn in front of the meetinghouse but do you think I was smart enough to take a picture of it? Sadly that would be ‘no’. The rebuilding of the meetinghouse began that very same year and the fourth meetinghouse, a modernized version of the third, was finished in 1901.

The First Parish was originally formed as a Puritan Congregationalist congregation whose minister from 1765 to 1776 was the Reverend William Emerson, grandfather of Ralph Waldo Emerson. The Massachusetts Bay Provincial Congress convened in the First Parish meetinghouse several times in 1774 and 1775 and for nine months in 1775-1776, the church hosted the students and faculty of Harvard College from the uncertainties of war in Cambridge in the relative peace and safety of Concord .

It was during the 69-year pastorate of Reverend Ezra Ripley from 1778 to 1847, that the First Parish grew away from its original Congregational Calvinistic roots and evolved to the more liberal Unitarianism, a nontrinitarian Christian theology which that holds that God is only one person, in contrast to the doctrine of the Trinity (God as three persons).

From the First Parish's website: "We welcome all people to our faith community without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, color, national origin, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Grounded in our Unitarian Universalist principles and purposes, we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person."

Now that sounds like my kind of church - makes me wish I lived closer to Concord ...

A Visit to the Village of Yantic, Part Four

I had one more series of photos that I wanted to post from my walk through the Village of Yantic a couple of Wednesdays ago and these shots are of the beautiful granite church that stands on a hill above the Village.

In addition to founding the Yantic Volunteer Fire Company that I wrote about previously, Winslow Williams continued the good works of his father, Captain Erastus Williams, by making sure that the Grace Episcopal Church had land on which to build.  The captain, who was a religious man, had insisted that his mill workers attend monthly religious services which were originally held in the village schoolhouse; in 1853 the parish was formally organized and ultimately became Grace Episcopal Church.

Construction began in 1891 on the beautiful building that would become the permanent home of the Grace Episcopal Church and was completed in 1901 - if I'm reading my Roman numerals correctly! - at the cost of $20,000. 

The magnificent structure looks like it should be residing in the English countryside as it stands proudly on the hill to next Hale Mill. Unlike the beautiful old mill though, the church building is still very much alive and in use to this day.

Rumor has it that the pews inside are all hand-carved and that there's also a beautiful pipe organ which is reputed to be one of the finest in Eastern Connecticut.  The pulpit was dedicated to the memory of Captain Erastus Williams with the lectern left in memory of his wife, Lydia - the woman for whom the Village of Yantic was built. 

While I was taking photos of the church I had the pleasure of talking to one of its parishioners who happened to be taking care of a couple of tasks around the church.  Fred, as his jacket read, asked me if his car was in my way of the shots but I assured him that it wasn't - however the sun was!

Fred, as it turned out, was 98 years young and had been attending Grace Episcopal Church for 64 years!  He told me that he used to live in the village but had moved to a different part of Yantic where he had lived with his wife until he had to place her in a nursing home due to her advanced Alzheimers in 2000. It was easy to see that it hadn't been an easy decision for Fred but as he said, it was dangerous for her to be at home with the stairs and his own advancing years.

We talked a bit about how much the world had changed over the years and I told him that knowing how much it had changed during my 51 years, I could only imagine how much it had changed over the course of his 98.  As we looked over the village from our vantage point on the hill, he told me how there used to be a beautiful mansion across the bridge and how the mill used to bustle with workers and activity but those days were long gone.

I wish I'd had more time to talk to Fred or that I had been smart enough to ask him to perhaps give me a glimpse inside the beautiful church but unfortunately, I didn't think about it until much too late and he'd gone on his way.  Maybe someday if I'm back in Yantic to mail a letter at the cute little post office, I'll have the chance to see him again.  He'll be easy to spot, he's the handsome older gentleman wearing the World War II Veterans hat and a jacket with his name embroidered over his heart that has beat for 98 years.

In conclusion, Napoleon has been quoted as saying "History paints the human heart" and I've got to agree with him though I might have changed it up a bit on my Wednesday walk to say that history paints the Village of Yantic - and paints it very well.

Hmm ... where to take a walk next?

A Reader-Inspired Post That Goes to New Heights

Much to my delight, I received an email the other day from someone who reads my blog via NorwichBulletin.com. Now, I know that there are people who read via the Bulletin as my Stat Counter tells me so (on the few occasions that I bother to check it these days!) but they aren't the commenting type apparently. That's okay, I know that not everyone is and I'm just happy to have people reading. However, to get an email from someone is - to me - really special and I wanted to share that with you as well as the pictures that it inspired.

"Hi Linda,

I read your blog in the Norwich Bulletin every day. Thank you for sharing. Mostly, I wanted to write and let you know that your pictures are absolutely awesome! You are an artist with a camera. As a train nut, I love your pictures of the local railroad action.

A suggestion if you would like to get some great shots of Norwich from a distance – behind the First Congregational Church in Norwichtown are two paths up to the top of Meeting House Rocks. The view from Avery Chapel is breathtaking.

Again, thank you for sharing.

Patricia"

Thank you so much, Patricia, for writing and I'm glad you've been enjoying the my train pursuits! Thank you, also, for your suggestion to visit Avery Chapel.  On Friday I decided to do just that being that the weather was rather nice - especially for January!

Some of you may remember that I've posted a picture or two of the First Congregational Church of Norwichtown back when I was doing my Steeple Chasing series that was inspired by Princess Patti of Ansonia in the Valley.  Just in case you're new here or you've forgotten - this is it: 

This quintessential New England white clapboard church is actually the fifth meetinghouse for the congregants of the First Congregational Church which was first gathered in 1660. The current building was constructed in 1801 and sits at the western corner of the historic Norwichtown Green.

To the left of the church as you are facing it are the Meetinghouse Rocks - the site of the second and third meetinghouses for the congregation. I really wish that I was able to find a picture somewhere of those buildings as I just can't even begin to fathom what they looked like standing atop the rocks.  I can understand why the congregants built them up there, though, it's very pretty on the summit as you'll soon see.

 

One of the two paths that Patricia referred to in her email begins at the base of Meetinghouse Rocks and leads up a rather steep set of stone stairs to the summit. This is actually the path that I took down from the summit as I opted to climb the second path, located behind the church, up as it didn't require the skills of a mountain goat! Truth be told, this particular path may have been easier going up than it was going down but I had my Dad's trusty walking stick with me and took my time as I really didn't want to end up in a pile at the bottom of the path with my camera in pieces!

Both paths have boxes with Visitor Information and brochures that explain the history of The Albert Curtis Avery Memorial Chapel that now stands at the summit and it was nice to know that visitors were welcome as I'm always a little afraid that I might be inadvertently trespassing somewhere when I'm out looking for pictures.  The brochure that I picked up welcomed me to Avery Chapel and just asked that I remembered that I was walking on sacred ground. 

The Avery Chapel was built as a gift to the church so that its namesake would always be remembered.  Albert Avery was an advisor to the Senior Pilgrim Youth Fellowship of the First Congregational Church who died unexpectedly at the age of only 32 the same year I was born - 1958. Inspired by the significance and beauty of the Cathedral of the Pines in New Hampshire, a place the Senior Pilgrim Youth Fellowship traveled to every year, it was decided to build a chapel patterned after the Cathedral as a remembrance to Albert.

With many people donating not just money but their time and talents to the project, it became both a church and community effort which was completed in time for its very first service to be held on  March the 29th, 1959 - Easter Sunday.  Over 200 people made the climb to the summit to attend the service.  

 

Over the past 50 years, the cross has been replaced, benches have been added, and flowers and bushes have been planted in memory of other loved ones. Services are still held at Avery Chapel for various occasions including an Easter Sunrise Service that must have the most spectacular view in all of Norwich. 

 

From the summit one can get a gorgeous view of the Norwichtown Green and some of the historic homes that surround it as well as the Johnson Home for Ladies (the large white building) that sits on the corner of Town Street and West Town Streets. I've often driven by and thought it might not be a bad place to spend one's advancing years as one becomes history while overlooking history.

I've driven past Meetinghouse Rocks and the First Congregational Church more times than I can count and had often wondered about the summit but was never quite sure how one got up there.  Thank you again, Patricia, for telling me about those two paths and giving me the inspiration to climb to the summit.  It's beautiful up there and I can guarantee you that it won't be my last visit; I've already made a note to myself to go back during sunset sometime soon and if I can ever roust myself out of bed early enough in the morning, I'm sure the sunrises from there are well worth the early hour.

A Trip To Sleepy Hollow, Part One

“From the listless repose of the place, and the peculiar character of its inhabitants, who are descendants from the original Dutch settlers, this sequestered glen has long been known by the name of SLEEPY HOLLOW. . . ” - Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

As I previously mentioned, this past Friday my friend Amy (who loves to take pictures as much as I do and loves exploring cemeteries as much as I do!) and I packed up the girls and made the 2-hour trip west to the small village of Sleepy Hollow just up the Hudson from New York City. A dispatching buddy had mentioned to me awhile back that it was probably someplace that I would enjoy as there are some mega-awesome graves there and, of course, there's the legend of Sleepy Hollow and Ichabod Crane being chased by the Headless Horseman to entice visitors also. It sounded like it was right up our alley so we set off Friday morning for a little bit of an adventure.

I've decided that the best way to do a post is to actually do several posts being that I took way too many pictures - again! Besides, that way I get to relive the trip again and maybe throw in a little extra history for those of you who enjoy it as much as I do. For those who don't, well ... I hope you enjoy the pictures! So, let's start with the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow, which sits adjacent to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, shall we?

The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow and its accompanying 3-acre burying ground are the setting for Washington Irving’s short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; it was in this cemetery that Irving's unfortunate character Ichabod Crane sought refuge from the Headless Horseman.

The church, whose walls are about two-feet thick and composed of local fieldstone, was constructed around 1685 on what was then the manor of Frederick Philipse, Lord of Philipse Manor, whose 52,000 acre landholdings stretched from Yonkers to Croton. The congregation was formally established in 1697.

The original bell, which was cast in the Netherlands, still hangs in the open-air belfry. Its inscription is from the book of Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 31: "Si Deus Pro Nobis, Quis Contra Nos?" - "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Though the church has undergone some alterations over the years, nothing has been changed that would make it unrecognizable to a member of the congregation from a generation past. When the Albany post road was rerouted from east of the church to west, the door was moved from the south wall to the west wall and the original small, square windows were replaced with the current large, pointed arches; beyond that, it remain as it did in the late 1600's.

In 1963, the church and grounds were designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior. The Friends of the Old Dutch Burying Ground, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1984 to preserve the landmark as well as educate the public about its historical significance. Tours are available and services are still held at The Old Dutch Church on Easter, Christmas Eve, summer services, and occasional weddings.

The burying grounds at the Old Dutch Church are often confused with Sleepy Hollow Cemetery but they are not related except by proximity. We weren't able to tour the inside of the church but we did walk around outside and take pictures through the windows.

At over 300 years old, the church is one of the oldest standing churches in the State of New York and it speaks volumes about the volunteers who care for it that it is in as wonderful shape as it is. I know by European standards that's probably not all that old but by American standards it most definitely is!


I like the way the windows reflected the burying grounds outside in these two pictures above. I think they kind of add to that "eerie feeling" you're supposed to get when visiting the place!

Next installment will be the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery!

Steeplechasing in Norwich, Part III

Ah, it's Sunday again which means it's a good time to take a look at more of the lovely churches that we have here in Norwich and continue doing some steeple chasing that I was inspired to do after reading similar posts by my friend the Princess Patti of the Late Bloomer Boomer.  I think that you'll find some of the nicest architecture ever when it comes to churches and even if they don't all have steeples, they are still beautiful buildings.



This first church is the Central Baptist Church which is located in the same square as Norwich's City Hall.  The cornerstone of the building was laid on November 18th, 1891 with the formal dedication of the church taking place on October 14th, 1892. Central Baptist sits directly across from the United Congregational Church...



... which was built in 1857. The congregation of the United Congregational Church was very involved in helping to educate people as well as the anti-slavery movement. Abraham Lincoln visited here before his election and the church was the founder of the Norwich Free Academy where Amanda attends high school.



As an added picture bonus, I snapped a shot of the United Congregational Church when I was out doing night photos during the last full moon. I think it takes on a whole new look at night.



This next church is also a Congregational Church, of which Norwich has many!  However, considering that Norwich was settled by Congregationalists in 1659 I guess that's not really all that surprising.  Park Congregational Church was established in 1874 and sits on Broadway directly across from the Norwich Free Academy campus.



Speaking of Congregational Churches, this is the Taftville Congregational Church, though it's often referred to as "The Green Church" when giving someone directions! Taftville is one of the villages of Norwich; in 1866 it was named after the founder of the large textile mill that was located there. Formerly one of the largest textile mills in the country, the Taftville Cotton Mill is now known as Ponemah Mills and is being converted into luxury apartments.



This castle-looking structure, appropriately located on Church Street in downtown Norwich, is the Family Church of God but I haven't been able to really find out anything about this church in my research.  I found the prism effect in this picture to be quite fascinating as the only other time I've had that come out in a picture before was when I was taking pictures in a cemetery and I've never been able to account for it but I think it looks nice.



On the west side of Norwich sits Saints Peter and Paul Church which was founded in 1938. Behind this church sits a lovely park that depicts the Stations of the Cross where I recently took some pictures that I'm sure I'll be posting at a future time.



Also located on the west side of the city is the First Baptist Church of Norwich which was established in 1880.  The current congregation is under the direction of Pastor Cal Lord who has been with the First Baptist Church for over 22 years.  Believe it or not Dr. Lord has a blog of his own titled Dancing With God and he has been kind enough to occasionally stop by and leave a comment or two here on my blog.  He's given me encouragement with my pictures so I hope he likes this one of his church!

I hope you've enjoyed this last series of photos of some of the churches located in the town I call home.  There are a lot more churches tucked away in various parts of Norwich but whether I get to them or not will remain to be seen!  Everyone have a great Sunday!