Driving On The Road Less Traveled Led To A Walk In The Churchyard
A Scenic Photographer Tends To Dismiss The Present And Focus On The Future
Certainly I do not remember experiencing any morbid mood swings, these words will become obvious at the end of this post I hope, the day I pulled off that bumpy county road and into the church parking lot. Ah yes that narrow twisting piece of rural asphalt I found myself traveling after getting on it a few miles back at one of those points of interest road signs in the hope of taking a few photographs.
While driving along on what most would consider a country road I proceeded slowly so as to take in the scenery composed of thickets of trees, an occasional house, small farms, and numerous meandering streams. It was quiet and peaceful that day as I found myself anxious to find out what the historic church setting would turn out to be as I navigated the twists and turns in the road. It was at the point when I spied a small pond in the depression of a field directly in front of me that I realized just how fortunate I was to have made the turn at that road sign 10 minutes ago.
For there on a slight rise above the pond, and to my left, were a couple of older looking brick buildings, one obviously being that of a church, set behind group of very mature trees. The scene itself seemed worthy of an artist rendering that was for sure and behind them were grave stones spreading out into the adjacent churchyard. Yes I had arrived at my destination and could already feel the ambiance from the scenery descend upon me as I approached the entranceway of this historic Kent County Maryland parish church.
Note: it is unclear as to origins or the previous usages of the building in the photograph above. It does not appear to be one of the church buildings referenced in documents that was built in 1696 and used for worship prior to the existing church having been constructed, seen off to the left side of the picture. So while it shows colonial era architectural attributes I can not speak of its usage nor history.
I took a moment or two in order to stand outside my car and take in the tranquil surroundings afforded me at that moment. It was so quiet there as it felt like I was the only person in the vicinity for miles. Directly above me towered a 100' plus high designated Maryland Bicentennial Tree, a swamp chestnut oak, that some believe is more than 400 years old. I do so look forward to my upcoming visit in the spring in order to see it's huge canopy filled with leaves shading the churchyard.
Walking in the direction of the church I looked out across the nearby grounds taking note of the different styles of tombstones and grave markers that spanned a period of over three centuries. In the distance I could see the pond I had passed earlier set out in the middle of what appeared to be a small farmers field adjacent to the parish property as the morning sunlight shimmered off the water's surface. There were so many other types of trees scattered throughout the churchyard that I had difficulty identifying certain ones. There was no doubt at that very moment how I could spend the better part of the day taking numerous photographs around this property.
As I approached the church I noticed the grave marker of a colonial planter named Michael Miller buried here in the St. Paul’s Kent Parish churchyard. Mr. Miller donated the land that the church was built on in 1696, the present building was constructed in 1713. For over 300 years St. Paul’s parishioners have walked past Mr. Miller’s grave on their way to services being that it is located close to the entrance door of the church.
Driving home after my brief visit to this Eastern Shore historic church I thought about one of the dilemmas faced by scenic photographers out on location which is how can one seem more focused on their next visit then they are during the one they are currently on. In this case was it the time of day, position of the sun or composition of the foliage that had me thinking this way? Perhaps, no it certainly was because I recognized how much more picturesque those images will appear what with the background of Spring being a part of each photograph that I would be taking here in the future.
G J Gibson
Note: the photograph of Mr. Miller's grave marker was originally posted on my Photo Art Tumblr Blog and this article was first published on the G Gibson Photo Art Gallery Journal
Images and Article Copyright ©2014 G J Gibson Photography
