Thursday, June 11, 2015

Old Methodist Church in Island Grove, Florida

We drove past this old Methodist Church in Island Grove on one of our Sunday afternoon drives.


 I took photos of it from every angle but this one just seemed best. (with my old Canon S100)


 But these photos got passed over so I went back to look at them again and do a little research.


 The website HERE had a lot of great info about this small Old Florida town, Island Grove.

Other websites mention that the church was built in 1882 and eventually fell in disrepair. Someone bought the land in order that the old structure could remain.


 What was interesting when I did the research online pertained to the post I did on the Antioch Cemetery HERE. We didn't realize when we stopped there to take photos that Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was buried there. We are watching the old movie "The Yearling" based on one of her books right now and we've visited her house in Cross Creek several times.


 We have such fun traveling around Florida and it's so nice to be able to research online and find out where we've been! LOL
 Hope we can figure out how to get back some day!

I’m joining Tex for the

41 comments:

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Looks a very ntresting place tofind and explore adn you got some good fences as well as the old church

Linda Kay said...

What an interesting post about the old church and cemetery! That church appears to be sinking into the ground, right? I'm not sure what we ever did to get information without the Internet...the old encylcopedias were always so outdated.

Sam I Am...... said...

What a great post! I love those old buildings but unfortunately in the South they deteriorate pretty quickly and are hard to restore because of termites. Is that where Ms.Rawlings lived? I think I remember seeing her home at one time with pictures of her there but when they were taken I don't know...it seemed to be maybe in the 1920's? How did they tolerate the heat as there was no AC back then? Thanks for sharing...very interesting!

eileeninmd said...

What a neat old church and I love the cemetery. Great fence finds. The internet is awesome source of information! Have a happy Thursday!

Debby Ray said...

What a great old church looking a little delapidated, but it makes it all that much more interesting, doesn't it? I do love being able to look up the history of these great old landmarks. Your photos of it are great! Happy Thursday, friend!

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...


This is so interesting, charming and peaceful. I love the history behind these landmarks as well. There is an old cemetery that I pass on my morning walks which also has Historical markers and information-sometimes I stop for just a bit to imagine another time.
Have a lovely day and many hugs!
Jemma

Stacey said...

You know, there's a lot of old churches like that around Texas and you can't help but love them. Just imagine the Sunday best clothes, the families gathered, the fried chicken, the old hymns. There was an old Methodist church right at the entrance to our land....way down an old dirt road. A few years ago they finally tore it down but I sure miss seeing it.

Arlene G said...

Very interesting post Diane. And I am a fan of old cemeteries...you never know who you might find there!!

Montanagirl said...

You are soooo funny! I love that old church. As for Photoscape, my iMac couldn't seem to find a program that would open it, so maybe it's just for "windows" machines.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

That IS interesting and how nice that someone bought the land to preserve it.

TexWisGirl said...

great shots of the old church and surrounding fence! thank you, diane!

Diane said...

Interesting! Great old building. Looks tired and saggy-- just like me! LOL!!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I enjoy seeing such interesting buildings and learning the history also. Glad you are having fun!

Linda

Debbie said...

great snaps, and good timing as it appears to be on it's last leg. maybe the new owner will fix er' up, it's a sweet little thing!!!

ThreeOldKeys said...

it looks like one lively church service would knock it completely flat ... or maybe a strong wind! It's a beautiful old building and you really captured it.

Back In Thyme Primitives said...

What a beautiful old church. I love old building and this one does not disappoint. Thanks for sharing!

Antiques And Teacups said...

I just love touring and seeing ceneteries! Really, you can learn so much! And vintage buildings are wonderful. Love your photos!
Ruth

Simply Shelley said...

A great post. I love the old church, and the story that goes with it. Thanks for sharing your discoveries with us ♡ Blessings

Stephanie said...

What a fun and interesting post, my friend. I just loved seeing the church and your photos were phenomenal!

Enjoy the upcoming weekend. Hugs!

Dewena said...

I love the way you research these places!

I'm glad it's been kept from destruction, wish someone would love it up a little!

Vee said...

Love Cross Creek...if you go back there, look for her grave, okay?!

Gayle said...

I can just imagine the walls responding to the great old hymn singing.
Thank you for the history too---love it.
Like the name of the cemetery 'Antioch'.
When we drive to our daughter's I always text ahead that we on the 'road to Damascus' when we pass through that little Appalachian town.

Christine said...

When I see old churches fall into disrepair I am saddened! Looks so forgotten and forsaken.
Still your images are wonderful and it is so interesting to find out about its past.

PatC - All is Bright said...

Great post. Very interesting article too. I love old churches. Last year we visited one in south Texas by the Rio Grande. They just fascinate me! Thanks Diane.

Nancy's Notes said...

I've always loved to photograph old churches and this one is wonderful! I love the history too. I do find it interesting to walk around in old an cemetery too. Great post Diane, I love following you around on your trips!!

Nancy
xo

Anonymous said...

it sure has had its years. Poor old church.

Thank you for the History of it.

Deb said...

How wonderful that someone bought the property to preserve that great old church! And I love to tour old cemeteries too, so much history all around us if we only take the time to see it! Thanks for sharing your great pictures Diane.

Ida said...

You got great shots of the old church/fence. Now if only someone would take it upon themselves to try and restore that church, that would be awesome.

Primitive Stars said...

Afternoon, what a great old looking church, sad it's crumbling though.Blessings Francine.

Linda said...

Doing research always adds interest to the places you visit. That sure is an old interesting structure.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I think it is more fun to stumble on something wonderful and then do the research afterwards. Makes me feel like I discovered a secret. If you plan to much in advance and already know what you're looking for it isn't quite so magical.

I love the old falling down church. (Well, I don't love that it is falling down, but I do like finding old structures and wondering about the history or the story behind it.) It is lovely that someone saved this piece of history.

And thanks for the movie suggestion -- it has been years since I thought of this and it would be fun to see it now that we know Florida!!

September Violets said...

Wonderful photos of the sagging church. How nice that someone loved that church enough to buy the land it sat on!
Wendy

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What an interesting post - it is always fun to discover things about an area. The photos are great. You have such amazing places to visit. I like to research places we've been also - isn't the internet fabulous??

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

I would love to get inside that church and poke around.

Stephanie said...

Interesting place to visit, love the old church!

cynthia lee designs said...

For several years...we have taken vacations to Tennessee and go to family church's and cemeteries. The scenery is beautiful and we have learned a lot about my husband's family that had came to the beautiful hills of Tennessee to make it home so many...many years ago.
hugs,
~Cindy

Unknown said...

What an interesting building! I hate to see old buildings going to ruin! What stories thay must have! We have a lot of barns around here that are going slowly to the ground (and some not so slowly) It is so hard to look at those. With the MEGA Farms taking over we are losing some very pretty farms. We have one here that is still going strong (at least I hope so) in the bend of a major highway. My husband use to make remarks about how he should just sell out. Big shopping area and restraunts building up around him. Even a round-a-bout at the end of his driveway. I say all power to him. If he can hold on why should he quit. If he is happy, why should he quit.

Carla from The River said...

Fun, I enjoy doing the same.
I plan to do some research on the house I posted too. :-)
Carla

Anonymous said...

The church has seen better days. The internet is a wonderful tool!

Scrappy quilter said...

It sure looks like it had it's better days. Oh if only the walls could talk, I wonder what stories they would tell.

Conniecrafter said...

Always good when historic places are saved