This school year has become the year of road trips. As our youngest child went off to college and we have unintentionally become the road trip couple...up and down the East coast multiple times between Southern Vermont and Southwestern Florida. Some of these trips have been to get our little dog home for the holidays, some have been to visit children. A friend in Florida told me that every time they make these trips back and forth to New England, they stop somewhere new. Our newfound empty-nesty-ness is giving us just that freedom to explore all kind of treasures off the beaten path. This week on a drive between Charleston and Jekyll Island we found such a treasure....The Smallest Church in America. My ever patient and always wonderful husband kindly turns around and pulls over when I start doing my "Oh!! did you see that?!?!" as we drive by such treasures.
The Smallest Church in America ~ Darien, Georgia
We were confused about all of the signs about cameras. I now know that the original church burnt down from arson and this one is the new church, rebuilt by volunteers.
Twelves seats, a nod to the number of Apostles.
Kindness matters.
It was wonderful to visit this lovely site without the help of Google and knowing nothing about it, just stumbling across something interesting and taking it in without any knowledge about it's origin. The sign out front says "Built in 1949 by Mrs. Anges Harper and deeded to Jesus Christ".
I have since learned that Mrs. Harper was a service station and grocery store owner who built this tiny church as a place to give back to her customers, a spot they could relax and have a peaceful moment on their journeys. She deeded this property in perpetuity to Jesus Christ and in the land records Jesus' address is "Heaven".
A few years ago there was a fire and the original church burnt down. It is believed that a vandal was using a blow torch to try and break into the donation box. Volunteers donated the supplies and their time and rebuilt the church immediately.
Mrs. Harper used to bring blankets to the church for migrant workers. We found these pants and shoes with a kind note. Small acts of kindness are everywhere.