Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Epworth-By-the-Sea, Georgia


While on our Anniversary Trip in June of 2008, we visited St. Simon's Island. One place we visited while on this gorgeous island was Epworth-By-the-Sea, a United Methodist Conference Center. Wow---what a beautiful place!!!
First we saw the Lovely Lane Chapel (one that is pictured above) which is the oldest church building on the island. This little church (they say it seats 150) was named after the site of the 1784 Founding Conference of American Methodism in Baltimore, MD. You will enjoy seeing our pictures of this little chapel. I read where many people get married there---and I certainly can understand why.
After seeing the church, we just walked around the grounds. The Live Oak trees are so beautiful, in addition to the fountain, the Prayer Tower, the Gazebo and the dock--looking out at the Frederica River. Hope you enjoy our photos of Epworth-By-the-Sea.

This is the inside of the Lovely Lane Chapel. They say it seats 150--but to me, the people would be very crowded.


The stained glass windows in Lovely Lane Chapel are amazing. These memorial windows feature John and Charles Wesley and Francis Asbury, all very prominent men in the United Methodist Church.



I am sitting at the lovely fountain at Epworth-by-the-Sea. The fountain and area around it is called Waters Garden.



George is admiring the huge Live Oak trees on the grounds at Epworth.


The grounds were immaculate. What a wonderful place to sit --and retreat--away from the hustle and bustle of life! That is the Frederica River in the background.



This is the Prayer Tower at Epworth-By-the-Sea.


George stands in the gazebo at Epworth-By-the-Sea.


Wouldn't it be fun to have a picnic under the Live Oak trees???? We took TONS of pictures of the Live Oaks.


Finally, this is the picture we took as we were leaving Epworth-By-the-Sea. The Live Oaks and that beautiful Spanish moss were hanging over the roads. Beautiful, isn't it???? I could spend an eternity in a place like this!!!!
Hugs,

 

45 comments:

Kirigalpoththa said...

Very nice church!

Love the oak tree with spanish moss too :)

Kcalpesh said...

Beautiful and very different exterior, interior and surrondings for a church! Nice captures that you've shared here :-) I'd never seen that kind of moss hanging from a tree...

- Pixellicious Photos

Kelly said...

St. Simon's Island looks beautiful and the church is gorgeous. Is that you up on the pulpit? :-)
The branch on the Live Oak that's closest to ground is so cool. I bet lots of kids climb on it. (You posted this at 4:00 a.m.--are you an early bird or a night owl?)

Deb Murphree/Alabama Politics said...

Thanks Betsy, for sharing such beauty with us. I tell ya what! When I retire, I won't have to travel the countryside...I'll just get online and view your blog LOL...xoxo love you.

Jayne said...

I love the Spanish moss all over that area. My hubby's aunt lives on the island. It's truly a magical place.

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is such a beautiful place Betsy!!!!
I would love to picnic with you guys anytime here!

Rose said...

Hi, Betsy, you are sure showing some great photos. I cannot pick a favorite. That was a beautiful place to be.

Have a great day!

Beth said...

That is a beautiful place, Betsy. I love those live oaks. We had lots of those in eastern North Carolina where I grew up, and I miss them. In fact, there was a huge one in Wilmington that they used to decorate for Christmas. What a sight that was! Thanks for bringing back a fond memory.

Peggy said...

What a beautiful peaceful place!

Darla said...

How peaceful is this place? My goodness...is that you preaching in there?

Darla said...

Oh, oh I forgot to tell you We made it through the whole episode of House last night!!

Susie said...

How beautiful indeed Betsy! Love those Live oaks with the moss flowing down. So pretty!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Oh my,this place is BEAUTIFUL.I would want to get married in that church and maybe just find a place to live right there.Thanks so much for showing us these lovely places.
Blessings,Ruth

Mary said...

What a gorgeous place to have a retreat. Both the church and the prayer tower look so inviting. What a wonderful place to sit and pray and meditate.

Small City Scenes said...

Love it! Love it! Love it!!!!
that little old church is beautiful. Most of the old timey churches left standing out here are Methodist. Or Lutheran. I have a 'Holy Houses' post and on the archived posts are the old churches. they are so beautiful. MB

Roses and Lilacs said...

Love the little chapel. The inside is kind of dark but the windows are lovely.
Marnie

Vicki ~ FL said...

Lovely church and beautiful grounds...

DeniseinVA said...

Hi Betsy, incredible photos!!! Epworth-By-The-Sea is a very beautiful area and those churches are magnificent. Thanks for sharing them.

Snap said...

Epworth By The Sea ... a beautiful spot!

Tina said...

Gorgeous shots Betsy, I can see why you loved visiting this church! Looks like you had great weather and the lighting was just right for all your pics. Stunning stained glass work..def a neat place to visit!!

Dorothy said...

Beautiful post! The stained glass windows are interesting. Love the live oaks and moss!

Janice K said...

What a beautiful center for retreats. I thought the live oaks were most interesting......so big, spread-out and close to the ground. Around here all the oaks are very tall and the branches high up.

LV said...

Everything about this place is simply beautiful. What a wonderful trip that must have been. You did an excellent job capturing all the bright, lovely stained glass windows.

Anonymous said...

Yes ma'am, it IS a beautiful place, but those trees are amazing! I'd love to have a couple in my yard or several of them at my parent's farm! Neato!

Carol Murdock said...

Betsy, this is beautiful and I'm sorry to say I missed this place when I stayed on St.Simons' Island.
:(
However it was another church I went there to see,Christ Church and graveyard. One of my VERY favorite authors lived there and is buried at Christ Church. Eugenia Price. She has a three book series set in St.Simons based on one of the founding families.:)

storyteller said...

What a LOVELY spot! Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos with us today ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Salitype said...

ahhh! it is such a beautiful place, from the white washed chapel and stained glass window which oozes character,the oak trees are truly enchanting.

magical,simply magical!!!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: That is such a fun place with neat captures of the area.

Cheryl said...

What a gorgeous place to visit. I would love to sit on a bench and look at the sea...

Cicero Sings said...

You find the loveliest places to visit ... almost makes me want to travel!

Arkansas Patti said...

Aw, now you have gone and made me miss my live oaks and the spanish moss. Nothing quite like them.
My goats used to love eating the moss and none hung down any farther than a goat could reach on his hind legs. Careful though, redbugs love to hang out there,
Thanks again for a neat trip.
You are right, a dog would not fit in your plans now.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

A truly amazing place !
What gorgeous stained glass windows, and the grounds so immaculate.
I would love to visit there one day, so I'll be adding it to my list of Betsy and George's recommendations :)

amelia said...

What a beautiful place!! The tree's are gorgeous and the scenery in general is lovely.
Can you tell me what is a 'live' oak??? Is it live instead of a dead oak?

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Stunning chapel and i haven't seen Live Oakslike that since i left N.O.

Another wonderful stop!

Janie said...

Beautiful chapel, and I just love the live oaks, especially the one with the hanging Spanish moss.

SmilingSally said...

We are loaded with huge trees and Spanish moss.

Shelley said...

That church is just glorious! Beautiful outside and beautiful inside! I really liked that spanish moss tree too - so picturesque! I seriously think you and George should not only write a waterfall guide book, but include a travel guide too!
:)
Hugs from windy Michigan,
Shelley

Loran said...

You and George sure get around! It's so interesting to see what you visit.

By the way, it isn't unusual for snow at any time in the Rocky Mountains. It's just not welcome this time of year!

Unknown said...

Amazing trees Betsy!

Sunny said...

Such a wonderful place, so much beauty. I love the trees with the moss.
Sunny :)

diane b said...

You find the most beautiful places. The Church is gorgeous and these trees so majestic and the Spanish moss is so graceful, I've never seen that before.The grounds look so inviting for a walk.

Unseen India Tours said...

Another beautiful post !! THe Church is simply stunning !! What a great post..Colors on the glass are fantastic..Unseen Rajasthan

SquirrelQueen said...

St. Simon's Island is so beautiful, the chapel by the sea is gorgeous. I see you found a waterfall, I knew you would.

I love the Live Oaks and spanish moss, it is just so romantic. Great photos.

Hugs,
Judy

Joy said...

What a beautiful beautiful place.
We have a little Methodist History powerpoint that is playing in our church lobby right now. Very interesting. Of course we have a Wesley Chapel and Asbury Hall at our church. Keeping it all in the family I guess.


Joy

Connie said...

I love the Live Oaks and the hanging moss, Betsy. We don't have anything like that here. Thank you for sharing these.