Day 200

On my way south, near the end of a day of driving through the Poconos, I passed by a sign that caused me to pause.  I wanted to stop and explore. The problem was the sky was darkening and my parking spot for the night was still a half-hour away.  You might remember my note on day 6, “Plan to come back through Bushkill PA (north of town) to explore the old church and cemetery you saw. I’m sure it will be worth it.”

As you likely know, I spent my time on the road meandering.  Most of the time I did not know where I would be from one day to the next.  I had more or less forgotten my pledge to visit the church on the way home when I found myself about 30 minutes from Bushkill.  Imagine that.

“The Reformed Church of Bushkill traces its history back to 1737, when a group of Reformed churches was established in the Delaware Valley. The first church building was erected in 1832, was rebuilt in 1874. Beyond that, not a lot of history is known about the church – many early documents were lost in a couple of fires down through the years.

In the 1980’s we were down to a dozen or so worshippers on Sunday mornings. Church life consisted of constant concerns over money issues and the congregation had lost sight of its true calling. The federal government had purchased the entire village we served (including the church) and it became part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. We were a church without a future or a constituency, and frankly, we wouldn’t have known what to do if we had one.” (http://bushkillchurch.org/history/)

While the government saved the church (well maybe saved is too strong a word) the government has not done a very good job taking care of it.  I was quite sad to see the overgrown church yard and deteriorating church building.  I wonder if there is anyway I can advocate for some attention to this historic site.  I’ll put this wonder on the list for now.  As always, my curiosity list is very long.

Cooper and I enjoyed our stroll (well maybe stumble is a better word for our walk through the overgrown prickle bushes.)  The oldest of the stones we found was set in 1843.  There are likely older ones but the condition of the cemetery is hiding them.

I don’t know why I am so fascinated (comforted) by cemeteries.  I don’t think I need to know, do you?