“Happiness depends on your attitude, not on what you have.” ~ Unknown
This is the little South Fork Primitive Baptist Church below the family cemetery at Malone. The church was established in 1807, though I’m sure the current building is not that old. It would have been made of log; nothing about this building indicates it is log, though I suspect this is the original site. I posted some exterior shots of the church back in May 2021, and I tried to see the interior in the third photo of that post. I ended up with an interesting photo of the screen but nothing from the inside. The church still held services until relatively recently. The last two members sold it to Danny Nickell, the current caretaker of the cemetery who lives next door. He was talking with me about the church yesterday and offered to let me see inside. I jumped at the chance. My great-aunt Ada Sparks who lived a stone’s throw away attended the church for decades, yet I was never inside. Larry Scott Evans’ mamaw Myrtle is listed as a church contributor on the plaque below the remembrance table. She, too, lived just a stone’s throw from the church (and across from Ada). I was kicking myself for not having my Canon with me, but l wasn’t going to say no to seeing it. It is in really good condition. In the very back are the original pews (below). Some years before the congregation closed its doors, they removed the center armrests to create benches more easily upholstered. Aren’t they exquisite? I understand why they would want a little more comfort, but I am so grateful they didn’t upholster all the pews. Danny hopes a new congregation will want the little church, and I hope he finds them. These oversized, sanitized, way-too-modern churches are not to my taste. And while I am not a primitive Baptist, I greatly value the aesthetic and sensitivity this church brings to the community. My fingers are crossed that somewhere out there, a small but mighty congregation will see that value and wish to carry it forward. When I go up for decoration day in May, I’ll call Danny and take my camera for better documentation.
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