Revisiting A Delta Church

Over the last few years, I've been working on a project to document the architecture of the Arkansas Delta. Primarily, it has focused on abandoned structures, which are a valuable but fleeting record of the vibrant culture and troubled history of the Delta. Recently I've been wanting to revisit a certain old church that I got a few pictures of before, one that has stuck out in my mind ever since. I've been worried that the building has deteriorated, and might not be standing for too much longer. But getting a fisheye lens for Christmas provided the perfect excuse to drive over and check in on the church, and a chance to get a few more pictures.

The condition of the church hadn't changed much since my last visit. A good chunk of the roof is missing, but the damage is somehow contained to one side of the building. The result is a strange view where one half of the church is in ruin, and the other seems to still be in decent shape.



Oftentimes it's hard to find any information about some abandoned places, like this old church. I have searched but haven't found anything about what type of church it was, or when it was built, or who built it. The biggest mystery is what happened here. What caused the church to be in this condition?



There are two pianos that have been left behind. How long have they been sitting here? The keys are dirty with dirt and debris. How long has it been since they were used to play a song?









The church was probably once filled with people, who were there every week. Where did they go?





This just emphasizes the tragedy of abandoned places. People must have devoted untold years of their lives to this church. To help build it, to worship here weekly. To have attended countless weddings and funerals here. When this church is gone, all that time and effort is lost. There is a significant section of the church's roof that is missing. How long will it be before it finally succumbs to the slow drag of nature and gravity? And who will mourn it, once it is lost?



As I headed back towards home, I drove under a dark gray sky that seemed to press upon the flat landscape of the Delta.



I made a quick stop to get a few pictures of this old abandoned building, which looks like it was a home or maybe apartments at one time. Now it appears the only life in the building are the vines that are slowly taking over the structure.



Parked nearby was this old car. I guess I can't say it was "Found On Road Dead" since it was a GMC.



And one last shot - taken along a lonely stretch of road. This tree stood tall along the pavement, a passive witness to the occasional cars driving under it and the lazy clouds passing above it.