Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Wrightstown Friends Meeting House, circa 1787


This is one of many old churches in Newtown. This one is a Friends church which I think is another name for a Quaker church. I decided to stop here just as the sun was setting. At a later date I'll post some pictures of the sun setting behind the cemetery.

"Friends began meeting in the home of John Chapman in 1686 and built the first log meetinghouse at this location in 1721. The present building was built in 1787. "

Now I put on my hat and give a salute to the veterans.

29 comments:

Kcalpesh said...

Very beautiful shots James! I've always been fascinated by the structures of churches around the world! Awaiting the sunset pictures!

I have an invitation for you to join the World Photo Bloggers

Bogey said...

If only those walls could talk. What a marvelous step back in time. You could almost here the buggy's coming up the road. The tiny pumpkins add just the right touch to the headstones. Great photos James.

Pat said...

John Chapman...not the Johnny Appleseed John Chapman?

Anyway, your photos are stunning, and God-willing, I hope to make a mosey-around-the-US tour in the not-so-far-off future. Pa in the fall is on my list. I'll tell you when I'm rolling through!

Rune Eide said...

You have caught this building in a wonderful light that shows it off in just the right way.

VP said...

Beautiful images. This is my first Friends church. I have read of these buildings only in books and it is interesting to see one of these houses in contest.

Malyss said...

Strange, it does not look like a church at all! for me, it's a simple house. A very beautyful one, but only a house.. And the cemetery looks strange to me, too. Are there pumpkins between the stones? An other world, really..

Julie said...

Same as Bibi for me too, James. I was just discussing with my daughter over dinner a visit to New England in the Fall of 2011. Long way away, I agree.

I love the light in your first photograph, James. Just exquisite.

Kat said...

This is beautiful James. I'm anxious to see your sunset photos. I love Quaker architecture and furniture. Proof that plain is not always a bad thing. Kathy

B SQUARED said...

The pumpkins add just the right amount of color to make this an outstanding image.

Hilda said...

It doesn't even look like a church to me — I thought it was really just a meeting house, a secular one. Even the small tombstones as so simple. Except for round orange candles (?) that is.

And I bow my head to them. The Philippines owes your soldiers so much.

Thérèse said...

If not for the graves who could have thought of a church? I like the simplicity of it.

Cezar and Léia said...

So peaceful and beautiful place, it's a great homage and beautiful pictures!The first one with the light as a detail is fascinating!
Léia

The Gilje Crew said...

That top picture is really nice (they both are of course). I really like the golden light highlighting the church. Very well done!

Lois said...

It's so pretty with the leaves on the ground surrounding it and I love all those little pumpkins in the cemetery!

penny said...

There is so much character and history in the old building in your area, James. Your photos are wonderful with or without the sun.

God Bless our military for our freedoms.

Ellie said...

Interesting! Great quality! The pumpkins draw attention to the cemetery - makes the image spoo-oo-ky!

Sunny said...

Wonderful building. The pumpkins amoung the headstones are quite interesting.
Great pictures as always.
Sunny :)

Cheryl said...

A lovely building, simple but sturdy. I enjoyed the side view and the view of the headstones. The orange pumpkins along side the stones was so neat! Gosh beautiful part of our country that I certainly need to visit someday soon.

cieldequimper said...

I wouldn't have thought this was a church either, maybe a parish house or a rectory. Interesting history and I love the second shot with the graves in perfect rows.

amatamari© said...

Very interesting these churches, seem buildings quite simple:
here in Italy is not easy to see these architectures ...
The first picture is beautiful with those gorgeous red leaves!

Owen said...

Beautiful James... both shots really speak to me. That may be because I grew up in a town in Pennsylvania with a heavy Quaker leaning (Swarthmore) where there was a Quaker Meeting House, and also spent two years at a school called Friends Central School, where a Quaker meeting every Wednesday morning was part of the program at the school... I don't consider myself a Quaker, but I have alot of respect for their manner of practicing religion, which is very low key, peace loving, respectful, and no dogmatic preaching...
Thanks for sharing these !

Matty said...

I always enjoy looking at historic locations. In my minds eye, I can see the people from 1787 walking around the actual buidling.

ruma said...

I take a pious atmosphere from fallen leaves and a huge tree surrounding the circumference.

PeterParis said...

The twilight gives a wonderful atmosphere!

maryt/theteach said...

James, these are fine, excellent photos! I love that the Friends put pumpkins between the gravestones. Isn't that amazing!
Are you military, James? To put on your hat to salute...

Ebie said...

You have great skills in your photography James. I also salute to you for your valuable service to the country.

Take care of your back James!

Quilt Works said...

Lovley I like the way someone placed little pumpkins between the stones!

Maria Berg said...

Like the pumpkins in between, MB

JPT said...

That's some pretty good stuff. My kind of stuff actually!