They also had a tractor pull, but Gary did not stay for that as he does not have interest in those.
I read and napped most of the day since we had been on the run every day during the previous week. We had fun, but was tiring on this old lady!! Then Sunday we went to SS and Church, after deciding to stay with the church we had visited the previous week.
Monday, was a day to catch up at home on work. I cleaned house, did laundry, fixed dinner, and decided to go back and wash bedding also. They only have two washers and dryers here, so I had to do it in stages. Now that all is caught up we can take off again, beginning with Smithfield VA on Tuesday. We had driven through it a couple times going to other places and thought that it looked interesting. It is not the beach or navy base or historical pre-revolutionary settlement, so you do no hear much about it. They are known for Smithfield hams and for peanuts.
But as you can see from the pictures, it is a cute whimsical little town. We stopped in three different art shops and Gary wants to go back and spend more time at the last one. The first one was full of local artist's work and we found one of the artists in, doing her thing. She was a registered surgical nurse, who is now retired and doing what she loves best! One of the women in the building at the tourist information center lived in the west side of Cleveland at one time. So we had to chat for a while with her. Then as we walked the streets, we stopped in another Art Gallery to find that the artist lives in the back and upper part of the house, and she shows and sells her art and antiques. It was interesting talking with her also.
The main street was lined with these beautiful flowering trees. The blossom put me in mind of lilac, but the tiny blossom parts were much more delicate and ruffly. It was more tree than bush. The trunk of the tree did not have bark, so it looked naked! It took me several tries before I could find someone who could tell me that it is a Crepe Myrtle.
We stopped for lunch at an ice cream parlor and then continued on our trek to the Isle of Wight County Museum, which was free. That was a first, free that is!!!
This Antique Store was closed on Monday and Tuesday, but looked interesting enough to want to go back another day. Also, our campground owners were telling us a good restaurant that we should go back for . Another day!!
This Antique Store was closed on Monday and Tuesday, but looked interesting enough to want to go back another day. Also, our campground owners were telling us a good restaurant that we should go back for . Another day!!
There is more restoration going on around town also.
And Victor, this picture is for you!
From Smithfield we went outside of town to find St. Luke's church which is well advertised. We found it back off of the highway in a recessed area near the James River.
This was built in 1632 and still sits on it's original foundation, though it was been restored several times. It is the only surviving original Gothic building in the United States. It was originally known simply as the "Old Brick Church".
The stained glass windows that are in it now, were installed during the restoration in 1887. The original glass was clear and cut in diamond shaped panes, but much of those were destroyed when a tree fell on the church in a violent storm. Because many of the newer windows were dedicated to people who have descendants in the area, they were never changed back to the clear glass during later restorations.
The Gothic character is reflected in it's buttresses, stepped gables, brick-traceried windows and medieval, timber-trussed room. The roof was originally built with hand hewn beams as you see it today. But they had to remove a plaster barrel roof inside of the beams to put it back to it's original appearance. The General Court of the Colony of Virginia was permitted to convene in the church in the 17th century. The high box-pews were designated for use by the dignitaries who attended worship service following the court session.
The pulpit was built along the side of the church, which was done in early churches so that the lower class of people sat in the back of the church while the more important people could sit in separate pews in front. Thus the minister could speak to all without his back to any. Notice the board over the pulpit. This was to project the voice of the speaker, thus the term "sounding board".
This baptismal built from one single piece of oak, still stands in the back of the church. And today, weddings, baptisms and other special ceremonies are scheduled in the church. Also on the fifth Sunday of the month, an Episcopal service is held here.
The church houses a rare 17th-century American altar and minister's chairs, and 16th- and 17th-century Bibles.
It also houses this 1630 English chamber organ, the only surviving one of it's kind in the world. Even though it can be played today, they only play a recording of it because of it being so rare and priceless. (Be sure to enlarge the second photo for a look see.)
Joseph Bridger is buried under the floor of the church, but I do not remember his connection to the church or the circumstances surrounding his burial there. His sister-in-law was later buried there also.
The church is surrounded by cemetery from those very early years, as well as today. One surname that I saw a lot of was Jordan.
Gabriel Galt was also buried here. He was a very well known surgeon, who in 1860 designed a tool called the "Galt" trephine, used for relieving pressure on the brain.
Though we have visited several beautiful churches, I do think that this was by far the more interesting for the history itself. Each one has it's own prominent historical feature.
I get so frustrated with the Internet service here in the evening!! I have been trying to save this from the time that I began, and I still can not connect!!
I had hoped that I would not have to do this over, but I did have to re-type it and move the pictures around. You can bet that I saved after every paragraph today!!
We will be going in to Richmond to the Library of Virginia for Gary's genealogy research next. So check back with us. We will get back to sight seeing in a few days.
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