Photographs and thoughts on photography and camera collecting
Of course you frequently see statues of angels in cemeteries, but they’re not usually so daring. The grave marker bears the name ‘Diachenko’.
Taken with a Tamron AF Aspherical LD 28-200mm f3.8-5.6
According to Find a Grave this is a memorial to Ida E. Barrett who died December 11, 1879 Age 22 years, 4 months, 22 days:
History of Putnam County NY Page 478
Isaac Barrett married Tamar, daughter of Abram Cronk, February 14th 1852. They were the parents of one daughter, who died December 11, 1879, at the early age of 22.
This young lady was a general favorite in the community, and a bright and shining ornament in the Baptist chruch of which she was a loved member. Her loss was deeply felt and greatly mourned. The following notice, which appeared in the papers, expressed the feeling of all who knew her: “Barett-At Mahopac Falls, N. Y., Dec. 11, 1879. Miss Ida E., only daughter of Deacon Isaac D. and Tamar A. Barrett, in her 23d year.
“Her life from childhood was devoted to Christ. She was baptized into the fellowship of the Mahopac Falls Baptist church in the 14th year of her age, and her spotless character and pleasant manner won the admiration and love of all. During her sickness of nearly five years her suffering was at times intense, and she had many fears that she would fail to gain heaven, but she never murmured. Her constant prayer was that Jesus might be with her, and Jesus indeed was. Her last days were passed in almost angelic serenity and she passed trustingly into promised rest.”
Taken with a Tamron AF Aspherical LD 28-200mm f3.8-5.6
What an interesting shape! This church also has a nice old cemetery. A medallion on the tower indicates that it was established in 1832. Other than that I’ve so far been unable to find anything about its history.
Taken with a Tamron AF Aspherical LD 28-200mm f3.8-5.6
There’s a small park directly opposite the Lake Mahopac Methodist Church. In it stand a few war memorials. This one has a plaque on its base which reads:
This monument is to honor all those who fought and died for our freedom. Persian Gulf War; Enduring Freedom; Iraqi Freedom and all wars against terrorism. Dedicated May 29, 2006. God bless our fallen soldiers.
Nearby stands a small boulder bearing a plaque which reads:
In humility before God and in honor of all who fought and those who died in the Second World War that freedom might live, we gratefully dedicate this stone.
There’s at least one more, but I neglected to note the inscription.
Taken with a Tamron AF Aspherical LD 28-200mm f3.8-5.6
I’ve always liked this small stone church but I hadn’t realized that it’s the oldest Methodist Church in Putnam County. According to the church’s website:
The Lake Mahopac Methodist Church was first organized as a society on July 14th, 1822 at the home of Benjamin Townherd. It is the oldest Methodist church in Putnam County. The church was originally called the Chapel at Carmel Big Pond, this being the former name of Lake Mahopac. The first church building was erected in 1826 and stood on a tract of land that had been donated by Nathaniel Crane. This land now includes the site of the Catholic Church of St John the Evangelist.
The original Methodist church was a stately New England-style white frame building with a balcony overlooking the beautiful lake.
As the decades went by, the building must have declined to a point that prompted the Rev. Hart Fuller, pastor from 1911-1914, to write in the church historical journal that “what this place needs is a new church and a prayer meeting”.
Some nine years later, that came to pass. Hilary Chambers donated the land for the new church. The building still standing today was finished during the ministry of the Rev. Henry Lincoln and was formally dedicated on July 30th, 1922.
The beautiful Gothic-style sanctuary boasts stained-glass windows that are dedicated to former church members and trustees. A pipe organ was installed to “secure good music” for the church. The building cost $25,000 to complete and was paid for in large part by “generous giving on the part of summer visitors” who used the area and lake as their summer retreat.
The Parish Hall with its meeting rooms and kitchen was erected in 1957. That same year, in celebration of the church’s 135th Anniversary, Pastor Lester McGonagle wrote, “Where would the church be without the dedicated men and women who loved the Lord and His Son? Lake Mahopac Methodist Church will continue to grow in winning new people to Christ and spreading the Gospel of love unto all. May God continue to bless and nurture His good people in Mahopac”.
Recent renovations with money raised by church members and the local community have restored the church to its original beauty.
Taken with a Tamron AF Aspherical LD 28-200mm f3.8-5.6