writing a novel – stories about abandoned churches
My husband and I were married in an older local church. I remember its lovely flower garden, the church bell, the woodwork, the organ, and the beautiful stained glass windows. Our wedding day began an extremely successful marriage… so far we have been married almost 33 years!
The church was deconsecrated in 1995 and torn down. The congregation moved to a new church not far away. The new church incorporated the furniture, hanging lights and stained glass windows from the old church.
Even today, almost twenty years after the demolition, I drive past the empty space and I always feel badly. Sometimes there is a car parked on the very spot where we said our vows.
Once I took my son to the now-empty site of the old church and showed him where it once stood. He asked, as a joke, ‘Does that mean you and Dad aren’t married any more?’
His question seemed funny at the time, but now I think about how closely our lives are linked with the spaces where we celebrate. If a space disappears or changes, it may seem profoundly sad. But it doesn’t negate the actions taken there. The best things in our lives supersede the physicality of their associations.
~
Copyright Jane Tims 2012
nichepoetryandprose 
I know how you feel. So many buildings that were important to me when I was young are now either gone or abandoned.
LikeLike
Sheryl
December 9, 2012 at 12:33 am
Hi Sheryl. Yes, the ideas apply to other buildings. I belive in re-purposing of old buildings… better for the environment because it saves the debris going into the landfills. Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
December 9, 2012 at 8:09 am
I see this theme being worked into your novel 🙂 My blog on Zenfolio is back up …thought you would like to know. Also revamped the Zenfolio site a bit. See you guys tomorrow! Today if you are reading this in the morning/
LikeLike
JD
December 8, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Hi Denis. Looking forward to all Christmas visits! I’ll have a look at your site! Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
December 9, 2012 at 8:11 am
Interesting thoughts, Jane. My husband and I were married in my parents’ home which is not their home anymore, but I am fortunate in that my brother and his wife bought the house so I can still visit. I agree with you, though, so even if I couldn’t visit anymore, it would not negate the actions taken there.
LikeLike
Robin
December 7, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Hi Robin. Thanks for sharing your story. I love to go back to special places, but all I have to do is look at my husband and son to see the true value of the places I love. Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
December 7, 2012 at 6:02 pm
So well put, Jane. And so right. 🙂
LikeLike
Robin
December 7, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Hi Jane, Thank you. Your post says so much, and your last sentence is so true and well-said. Ellen
LikeLike
Ellen Grace Olinger
December 7, 2012 at 8:51 am
Hi Ellen. Thanks! This will be one of the themes of my book. Jane
LikeLike
jane tims
December 7, 2012 at 5:55 pm