What happened last week is horrible. What has happened the past few days in Charleston restores my faith that all people can live together.
These photos are from a church here in Augusta that may be torn down later this year.
The small building was put up by slaves prior to the civil war. They pooled their savings to buy the freedom of a literate black man to serve as their pastor.
This a painful part of our history. A part we shouldn't forget.
The large building was put up around 1875...to me it shows how much progress the black community made in this area in less than 50 years. I hate to think we would lose this.
The inside of the building is in poor shape...
partly from no maintenance being done (one of our photographers fell through the balcony floor! She was bruised and shaken but ok...)
and partly from vandals or folks camping out here.
We were out there photographing for a local museum so the church could be documented before it disappears...
7 comments:
Its too bad that someone doesn't step in and try to restore and save the church. I always hate to see history like that get destroyed. I saw a story last night on a few billionaires in Italy stepping up to try to restore/save some of their historical structures (the coliseum, the fountain from "Three Coins in a Fountain", etc) as the govt. apparently couldn't afford to do it.
Like Sherrill, I wish that church could be restored. So much important history within those walls.
Thanks for an interesting story and a peek into history.
Our former company spent years working with the Historical Society to preserve a church that was significant for its congregation and its architectural style. We gifted the project our project management fee. It was quite frustrating contending with the ongoing vandalism. The structure is preserved for a time but its days are still numbered. It is hard enough to keep these structures standing with an active congregation. I agree, it is difficult to see a building that was once so full of life and promise fade into obscurity but we have to move forward. It would be great if razing it makes way for another church but it wouldn't be bad to see something pop up that would provide a living for some of the local residents. My guess is that the wood structure will be dismantled and stored until it can be rebuilt on the grounds of a museum, park or sister church.
That is so sad. I was not aware of this and these photos are so sad. Such a difference between the two buildings and yet both are the same ; doomed. I looked at the simple coloured window panes compared to our fancy, all decked out with pictures windows and the very simple pewters, and I think they have so little, let them be. Why remove the little they have? Yes, yes, document it all before it is all gone because after it is gone ... forever is a very long time without it.
Such a thoughtful post - thank you. Documenting is so important. Perhaps pieces - like the stained glass - can be rescued and used in meaningful ways.
Our minister challenged us on Sunday to look inside our hearts and sort out the racism
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