Isaiah 45:18
This church pew is located in a primitive Baptist Church built in Cades Cove, which is located in Townsend, TN. As you walk in, you can smell the aged wood and see dust float in the sunbeams that pour in through the windows. The slats of wood creak as you walk to your pew and you feel a presence of precious love and appreciation…you’re humbled at the simplicity, yet you still feel an incredible connection. The thought of how many people were saved in these pews and how many generations of families benefited from the preachings here provides an incredible sense of awe that beckons your heart.
The church was built in the 1800’s and still stands as tall and strong as it did over a century ago. The only difference is the reason that people visit it. It is no longer the home of Sunday morning service, gospel hymns, or Baptisms. It now stands as a preserved glimpse into our past to see how Christians worshiped years ago. There were no large screen projectors, expensive sound-systems, air conditioning, day cares with pagers, or even restrooms. Christians came together for one purpose…to worship. You may think it’s challenging some Sunday mornings to wake up early, fix breakfast, get the kids ready, etc…but think of the people that attended this church…they didn’t have alarm clocks, toasters, coffee makers, or even cars! You may stop and wonder if you would rather attend your current church or one such as this…imagine if this one provided stronger messages and more devout Christians. Would you still opt for the modern day luxuries? Does it practically break your heart to realize what all the Church has had to do to entice people to attend? Realize this…and let this completely sink in…the only part of your church that matters is Jesus. Everything else is expendable.
This hardwood pew provides a deep appreciation for those that worshiped ages ago. Just as it says in Isaiah 45:18, He indeed did not create it to be empty…
What a beautiful, thought provoking picture. It “speaks” volumes. I can see myself sitting alone in the pew with only the Lord’s presence. His light shining upon me as we commune in silence. Looking at the picture fills me with the Peace of Jesus. Thank you for sharing it! Blessings!
I like the symbolism of the rays of light shining from the single source (the window in the wall), radiating a welcome sense of warmth and light, much as the teaching and preaching must have done in this old church’s younger days. Thanks for publishing this photo.