About Me

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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

InSPIREd Sunday - Anchorage Presbyterian




Anchorage Presbyterian Church is situated in the heavily wooded upscale old community of Anchorage just outside of Louisville.  Established in 1799, it is the oldest church in Jefferson County.  In the mid 1800s, the pastor of Anchorage Presbyterian opened the Bellwood Female Seminary to educate young women with some surprisingly modern ideas--independence, financial security, contributions to society in addition to traditional roles of women in the home.

Here are some closeup views of the more interesting architectural details:

 Bell tower and steeple, Gothic windows and ornamental brickwork left sanctuary, historic sign

Arched doorway front entrance, bell tower closeup, variation of rose window over entrance

I read through a bit of the church history, especially the minutes of the annual sessions, and was impressed with the role the church took in the morals and behavior of its members.  A couple of issues heard and ruled upon in the Session by the church elders:

~ Mr. and Mrs. Smith were separated when Mrs. Smith moved to Louisville leaving her husband in Anchorage.  She was asking for annual support of $75.  Mr. Smith appeared before the Session to appeal saying that when his wife was living with him she did not fulfill her wifely duties.  A witness on his behalf said that Mrs. Smith did not dine with him and guests instead ordering her meal in her own quarters with extra sugar!  Mr. Smith said the situation was unbearable; the Session elders agreed.  Mrs. Smith was ordered to appear before them, which she never did.  So she was suspended from the congregation and Mr. Smith became an elder.

~ Dancing was frowned upon as a dangerous waste of energy.

~ A neighbor's dog was chasing a farmer's pig.  The farmer was hauled before the Session for cursing the neighbor and his dog.  Both men were warned by the elders about "blackguarding."

~ The church was almost split in two over using a melodium to accompany hymn singing--narrow decision to allow musical instruments.

~ Finally, and my personal favorite, many fruit trees were planted when the Bellwood Female Seminary was establish, believing that it was much more healthful for the young women students to be eating fruit rather than sweetmeats!

As you can see, those early Presbyterians were a stern lot!

Linking to InSPIREd Sunday , a new meme celebrating places of worship and their unique architecture and history.  Thanks to Sally and Beth for hosting.

 

7 comments:

Elizabeth Edwards said...

love the red door, that little circled window too - what a great church.

so happy you did link up. have a great week. ( :

A Colorful World said...

What a fascinating history of this church! It seems in line with some other of the more stern early churches and I never would have guessed it of a Presbyterian church. Thank you for sharing the info. It's a lovely church, and your photos are great!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I love old church minutes..makes me thankful we are not judged quite so harshly in today's time. Lovely church, too!

Jan n Jer said...

Boy how the churches have changed in this day and time...This doctrin sounds alot like the early Methodist churches. Todays morals are quite different aren't they!!!!

Bruce Clark said...

Love the design of that steeple.

Brian King said...

Absolutely gorgeous church! It has a ton of history, too.

Sally in WA said...

Love the history you included along with the fabulous photos. Thanks for sharing it in InSPIREd Sunday!