As you drive down Greenville Highway through Flat Rock, NC, you can just barely see this structure through the trees.
The church is called St. John's in the Wilderness.
It was built as a private chapel on the land of Charles and Susan Barings in 1833. It later became a place of public worship for the citizens of Flat Rock and was expanded in 1852 due to its congregation's rapid growth.
The cemetery surrounds the church on three sides. The additions made to the church's structure actually covered some of the graves, including the Barings', who now rest under the sanctuary. Plaques on the sanctary walls have replaced their headstones.
Even though the Barings' chapel was built in the heat of the American South's slave era, blacks and whites worshipped side-by-side in this sanctuary. There was no segregation within this church's walls; all walked in to worship as free and equal men-- even if the reality outside of the walls was different. It was truly a sanctuary for human souls. In fact, the first wedding held in the church was between two of the Barings' slaves.
And, Carl Sandburg's funeral was held here.
If you're in Flat Rock on a day like Labor Day, when the rest of the town is in downtown Hendersonville enjoying the annual Apple Festival,
St. John's in the Wilderness truly feels like a sanctuary in the wilderness.
The cemetery surrounds the church on three sides. The additions made to the church's structure actually covered some of the graves, including the Barings', who now rest under the sanctuary. Plaques on the sanctary walls have replaced their headstones.
Even though the Barings' chapel was built in the heat of the American South's slave era, blacks and whites worshipped side-by-side in this sanctuary. There was no segregation within this church's walls; all walked in to worship as free and equal men-- even if the reality outside of the walls was different. It was truly a sanctuary for human souls. In fact, the first wedding held in the church was between two of the Barings' slaves.
This is the Cemetery of Slaved and Freedmen.
The headstones include some historical figures, such as:
Christopher Memminger, first secretary of the Confederate treasury;
Rev. John Drayton, developer of the world-famous Magnolia Gardens of Charleston;
members of the families of three signers of the Declaration of Independence; and
Major General Edward P. King, Jr., of the United States Army who led the defense of
the Bataan Peninsula in the Battle of Bataan against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in World War II.
And, Carl Sandburg's funeral was held here.
If you're in Flat Rock on a day like Labor Day, when the rest of the town is in downtown Hendersonville enjoying the annual Apple Festival,
St. John's in the Wilderness truly feels like a sanctuary in the wilderness.
A wilderness like the one where Abraham was able to hear God's call and respond to it.
A wilderness like the one where Moses met with God face-to-face.
And a wilderness like the one where Jesus escaped so often to pray.
As much as I would love to take credit for this photography, I stole all the photos here. My camera went dead soon after we arrived in Flat Rock.
I've passed the church a number of times but never knew its story. It is a lovely place, and if at all possible, I intend to stop and see it for myself the next time I'm through Flat Rock. Thank you for this nice post.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting history this place has. This is my favorite part: "Even though the Barings' chapel was built in the heat of the American South's slave era, blacks and whites worshipped side-by-side in this sanctuary. There was no segregation within this church's walls;"
ReplyDeleteTalk about Halloween with the graveyard. Wonderful. Love that house that looks like a witch lives there. Reminds me of a house in Los Gatos we used to love to go trick-or-treating.
ReplyDeleteAbout no guests for Halloween. That made me laugh. I've been there. All dressed up like a witch, cauldron with dry ice steaming, Halloween chamber of horrors c.d. on, big yelloware bowl...my favorite bowl..filled with candy, candleabra burning on the piano, a GIANT cut out silloutte I made of an owl in a tree on the front door.....nobody...HUH?
very cool.
ReplyDeleteSo many important people in history - all in one place. Thank you for such an interesting post. Very eloquent!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad ya'll enjoyed! I had fun researching it. I found all this info in various places after visiting, since the church was closed when we went exploring.
ReplyDelete