historic churches

Mud Pike Baptist Church and Cemetery

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We were off on another daytrip in south east Indiana. We did have a couple of specific destinations, but as usual we did enjoy just coming upon interesting sights. One of these surprises was the Mud Pike Baptist Church and Cemetery which we came upon on, you guessed it, East Mud Pike Road. The church is roughly equidistant from Napoleon and Osgood, Indiana, both on US Highway 421, aka Michigan Road.

Pretty white church edifice

Remounted bell and one side of the cemetery

Notice the “Weeping Willow” tree in Mary’s tombstone

The grave of thirty two year old Sarah, passed in 1878

Grave of John Blackmore, Charter Member and church land donor

The bell remounted

Originally Delaware Baptist started in 1842 with 12 members, and Charter Member John Blackmore donated the ground for the church in 1844. In 1911 the bell was mounted in the belfry of the structure. A  fire devastated the church in 1996, resulting in the bell crashing to the floor. It now is mounted in a place of honor next to the flagpole and bench. The church was renamed Mud Pike Baptist Church in 1938, and it celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2017.

The historic 1850’s Big Flatrock Christian Church

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The website of the Big Flatrock Christian Church gives an informative insight into the history of this still vibrant rural Rush County Indiana church. One preacher, Knowles Shaw, gave his first sermon as a charter member of this congregation. Shaw was also an author, singer and evangelist. He was a very prolific writer of hymns, penning over 110, including the beloved and well known “Bringing in the Sheaves”.

Plaque honoring Knowles Shaw

One of many stained glass windows

The original church edifice was built in 1852, with a major renovation occurring in 1921. The church is “just over the hill” from a beautiful covered bridge constructed in  1888 by the E.L. Kennedy Company. Lots of history in this corner of Rush County , Indiana in the heart of Hoosier farmland.

Historic church and cemetery

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A few days ago Sher and I took a nice day trip in our RV to south east Indiana. Our first stop was Batesville, covered in a previous post. Next stop was Oldenburg, another town with a strong German heritage.

 

 

 

The Holy Family Catholic Church has a long history in Oldenburg. The stone church was finished in 1848 as seen in the pictures above. It replaced the original log church, and is now the Rectory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The current church is a magnificent structure. The day we visited was election day, so there was a fair amount of foot traffic in and out of the entrance to the Fellowship Hall. Social Distancing was not a problem. The large stone cross is a remembrance for the first Mission that was preached in 1848.