Each year, countless numbers of children dress up in costume and head outdoors on a quest for candy. While not observed as a statutory holiday, many consider the day to be of celebratory significance. Halloween is thought to have begun in the form of an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain, which involved dressing in costume and setting large bonfires to ward off ghosts of the dead. Naturally, the Christian church did not approve of a day that invited thoughts and rituals surrounding the Devil and other frowned upon material. In an attempt to distract or ‘Christianize’ the Pagan day, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st ‘All Saints Day’ (which had previously been celebrated on May 13). November 2nd was declared ‘All Souls’ Day’, a Christian day to celebrate the dead. As centuries passed, traditions and holidays were melded together, and modern day Halloween arrived. The original declared days still exist and are celebrated by some, but Halloween and it’s attachment to consumerism has risen to the top in popularity.

Thinking about Christian traditions and the history of Halloween, I found myself standing with Bumblebee before a small and seemingly abandoned Catholic church and cemetery on a cloudy day in October. Our suspicions were confirmed when we noticed the lack of power metre and some boarded windows. While the property is small, it was clear that it had a rich past as I spotted a plaque placed outside. With our camera equipment in hand, we carefully walked the perimeter of the building, stopping briefly to read gravestones along the way. Almost reaching the place where we started, we spotted a particularly somber looking plot elaborately covered in toys and colourful objects. A quick glance at the engraved stone revealed why - a child had died, and the family kept the burial ground looking cheerful in memoriam. A sadness passed through us, unspoken as we continued towards the building to look for access.

The two of us had explored many abandoned churches before, but something about this one left us with an eerie feeling. As we stepped inside, we were immediately faced with layers of thick grey dust draped over rows of empty seats. Cold stale air permeated the space, and a deafening silence washed over us. We chose our steps carefully, almost afraid to disturb what spiritual forces may be lurking. The slots in pews where Bibles once sat proudly were now devoid of any religion, empty. (Side note: strangely enough, we were unable to find a single Bible in the entire building). A small piano stood at the back of the room, once a musical symbol of hope for those who attended mass. On the opposite side of the piano was a confessional, almost completely immersed in darkness. Statues of Jesus and another religious figure stood tall on separate walls, their only purpose now to oversee the state of decay that was beginning to set in. Water damage was evident on the ceiling tiles, but aside from these rust coloured ceiling stains and dust, the church did not look overly ‘abandoned’. Further investigation revealed dates on documents from 2011, but nothing more recent than that. Behind the altar, bins of religious artifacts and other belongings were still stored carefully. What had happened here? I wondered.

Research later revealed that the church was originally built in the mid 1800’s following the infamous Irish potato famine. As a result, many citizens left their homeland overseas in search of a new beginning. In an attempt to serve the population on a religious level, the one room building was constructed. Despite a fire that damaged a portion of the original property, the church became so successful that they decided to close their doors in 2011 and relocate to a brand new building for worship. It is unknown why the owners did not clear the old place out, but one thing is clear: they took the Bibles with them.

To all who celebrate Halloween, have a great one!


Church Hymns by Storytrail, on Flickr


Chills by Storytrail, on Flickr


Say Your Prayers by Storytrail, on Flickr


Collecting Dust by Storytrail, on Flickr


At the Altar by Storytrail, on Flickr

Lovely writing as always!

1)

Rise Up by Bumblebee, on Flickr

2)

Building A Mystery by Bumblebee, on Flickr

3)

Up Your Cup by Bumblebee, on Flickr

4)

Say Your Prayers by Bumblebee, on Flickr

5)

Silent Hymns by Bumblebee, on Flickr

6)

Dust Bunnies by Bumblebee, on Flickr

7)

Path Of Light by Bumblebee, on Flickr

The week had been a rough one. Our intrepid explorers had been at each others throats for days - the tensions of the week building up, layer upon layer. Deciding to blow off some steam Storytrail and Bvmblebee grab their gear and hit the open road. The drive to the location was a quiet one, neither wanting to say anything to set the other person off. Their failure to bring down UER, and Peptic Ulcer's return after wandering the countryside, humbled and humiliated by their last set but now renewed and determined. As well, finals were coming up for Bvmblebee and there was a lot of work to do. Story's boss had been an asshole all week and the couple had no other outlet for their frustration than each other.

The entry to the location was easy and each began setting up their gear for what they had hoped would propel them to the top of UER so they could shut it down. Each photo meticulously taken with their usual attention to even the smallest detail. Perfect exposure, framing that would make DaVinci envious, color saturation laid in with surgeon-like precision. Each knew that they could make even the most mundane of subject matter a divine work of art.

As they packed up to move to the next area, Bvmblebee turns and knocks himself into Storytrail. Before he can apologize, she exclaims, "DAMNIT! Whats wrong with..." but she doesnt finish. As she's yelling their eyes meet and instantly the tension melts away. There is a pause - both looking into the other's eyes and their hearts sink simultaneously just like the moment they first met.

As if someone had fired a starting gun, they both lean in and begin kissing each other passionately. Their lips part and their teeth bang together but neither one cares. All caution is thrown away and the passion they feel consumes them. Their hands begin moving over each other's bodies and they find themselves now on the floor, Story on top of Bvumblebee, their lips never breaking their caress. Each is breathing heavily, their surroundings just a blur as the smell of the decay only heightens the fervor of their desire.

Story breaks their kiss and begins to rip off the heavy coat she is wearing. Still looking into Bvumblebee's eyes and impatient for what is to come she notices something in her peripheral vision. She turns to the nearby hallway and sees THIS!



"OH MY GOD!"
Story awakens, sitting straight up in bed and out of breath.

Bvmblebee is startled out of a deep slumber but is wide awake. "What is it! Whats wrong?", he asks.

"The worst dream of my life. It was unbelievably horrific! Worse than the last one."

Bvumblebee puts his arms around Story and holds her until she stops shaking and begins to breathe normally.

He then tells her, "Dont worry baby, its ok. It was only a dream."

"I know but you dont understand. It was so real!" she replies.

Pausing a moment, the fury of the situation welling up inside him, Bvumblebee purses his lips and exhales deeply before whispering to her, "I know. I know baby. It'll all be over soon. I've got just the thing for this Ulcer guy...."

Story sighs, and says, "But why didnt he have any feet?"

To Be Continued...

Great pics and nice write up! You guys always find the coolest places

Posted by Peptic Ulcer ... Story sighs, and says, "But why didnt he have any feet?" To Be Continued...

Ha! Curious to see where you're going with this one...

Posted by ForgottenRails Great pics and nice write up! You guys always find the coolest places

Thank you very much!

Great find !!

Enjoyable read as always

I wonder what is the reason for the wrought iron enclosed grave?
A family plot perhaps?

Posted by leafloving4x4gal Great find !! Enjoyable read as always I wonder what is the reason for the wrought iron enclosed grave? A family plot perhaps?

Thank you! I'm actually not sure, but it makes a heck of a cool photo.

Posted by Peptic Ulcer "But why didnt he have any feet?" To Be Continued...

Still a better love story than twilight...

The newspaper article about Vampires isn't creepy on it's own, but within the context of a church... It's pretty creepy.

Posted by Skye_Ann The newspaper article about Vampires isn't creepy on it's own, but within the context of a church... It's pretty creepy.

Agreed, a pretty random find.

This is a solid and unique find - nice work

Great find, love the pics. I always wonder about so much stuff left behind...

Posted by Freaktography This is a solid and unique find - nice work

Thanks!!

Posted by Eagle_Crow Great find, love the pics. I always wonder about so much stuff left behind...

Thank you! Yes, it is unusual that the owners left so much behind.

Exceptional! It is always a treat to see a church that hasn't had all the trinkets ransacked. Aside from that too, every Catholic church has a relic (usually a piece of bone) from their patron saint. I've always wanted to find a church so intact that you could actually seek out and find their specific relic still remaining on site.

Wow WOWWW!

Cemetery cool and quiet, hate to leave your sacred lay...
Very cool location and pics😎

Great pics and story. Very entertaining

Posted by Ground State Exceptional! It is always a treat to see a church that hasn't had all the trinkets ransacked. Aside from that too, every Catholic church has a relic (usually a piece of bone) from their patron saint. I've always wanted to find a church so intact that you could actually seek out and find their specific relic still remaining on site.

I agree! After visiting Detroit and seeing all of the stripped churches there, this was a welcome location. Very interesting to see so much left behind, especially when it seems the congregation simply moved across town.

Posted by entresaisons Wow WOWWW!

Thank you!

Posted by blackhawk Cemetery cool and quiet, hate to leave your sacred lay... Very cool location and pics😎

Thanks very much!

Posted by Herm Great pics and story. Very entertaining

Thank you, I appreciate it!

the church is abandoned and in that good shape totally amazing