Thursday, September 20, 2012

St. Gabriel

I can't believe I'm posting three days in a row, but here I am! Today I went out to the cemetery to put autumn flowers on my mother's and sister's graves. It was a glorious day, with temps in the upper 70s, blue skies, and a slight breeze. Along the way I stopped and photographed some things I've wanted to shoot for some time.

This is the road where my grandparents' old house now resides. I love the funky lettering on the sign. Looks like they lost an O, two U's and a P and did the best they could. No pretense out here in the country!
This is my grandparents' home, relocated to its new position on Bayou Paul Rd. Although never in pristine shape it looked a lot better than this. It makes me sad to see it here, away from its original birthplace. There used to be a glass louvered door where that ugly white one is now. I got locked out once when I was home alone and broke one of the glass panes trying to get back in. Boy, did my paw paw fuss at me! The house also originally had a tin roof, but in later years they put on a more traditional roof. Looks like it's never been replaced.
This is how I like to remember the old house, with my grandmother beside it, and the levee out in front.
These are my two oldest kids with my grandmother, Celina, in 1985. Autumn looks upset and Greg looks like the cat that ate the canary. I can only guess what mischief that boy was up to. He looks mighty proud of himself.
St. Gabriel Catholic Church
This historic church is where my mother was christened, had her first communion, and was confirmed.
I think she married my dad here, but he doesn't really remember. :/
Built between 1774 and 1776, it is the oldest church in the Louisiana Purchase Territory.
This old store dating back to 1880 sits on the corner of Bayou Paul Rd. and Hwy. 75 (River Rd.)
The levee, across the street from Barthel's store.
Hope you enjoyed meandering along the River Rd. with me today. Sharing with Nancy's Rural Thursday.

55 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

what a gorgeous church, and great family memories. sorry your grandparents' home was moved, but at least it still exists, i suppose.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Love your Grandmother's apron and your photos are very good. It looks like a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Suzan said...

I DID enjoy traveling with you!! So much family history! LOVE the old church!! Am surprised that there isn't a cemetery around it. Is this the original church or has been replaced on the same site?
So nice that your family is from the area--- True Roots!!

Unknown said...

I did enjoy it, and thanks for the tour! Love your old photos!

Christine said...

What a wonderful post! I've so enjoyed wandering along this road with you.

Anonymous said...

Great post. I love the beautiful little church and the old store.

Tricia said...

It looks wonderful there. I loved your tour...it's always interesting to see far away places :)

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

The church is pretty neat, with its history in the community and in your family. Your grandparents' home looks like a home where the atmosphere was welcoming and where memories were made to be treasured for a lifetime.

Mary said...

That is a lovely trip through your LA roots...cute children...now grown. Those are super pictures to share.

Justine said...

that was a lovely trip I took with you and your photographs, you have a way with words and a brilliant way with photographs.

Stewart M said...

Splendid set of pictures! I have come to be try worried when I see that "cat that eat...." look on my sons face! Things normally get very silly when he wears it!

More Dubai stuff coming next week!

Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

Kathy said...

Some nice memories for you!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Beautiful pictures - I love the road sign.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post, I especially like the shot of your grandma and your kids... the general store, that one I would frame and hang!

Nancy said...

Such a neat walk with you through your family history, Gail. The house, store and church are amazing for how old they are.

xo

Anonymous said...

I love it when we make the time in our day to capture those things that we pass by and think "I need to capture that"...I did that yesterday with the swollen Withlacoochee River. I loved hearing more of your history...I get warm and fuzzies when I look at pictures of my grandparent's home...it is still there but was sold a few years back. I love that church!

Starla said...

Great photos! I may never visit your neck of the woods personally, but I have certainly traveled there with your photos!

Autumn said...

So many great memories here! I'm so glad I remember spending time with my great-grandparents. They were such characters in the best sense of the word.

@Tree Hugger - Suzan, the cemetery is behind the church, and some of the graves go back to the late 1700s.

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Sweet memories, Gail. I love the little church. How wonderful to have it still around. Have a great weekend.

Deanna said...

I loved taking a walk down memory lane with you. Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful buildings with us and sharing your memories of their history.

LindyLouMac said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely memories. I find it fascinating that you actually move houses from one location to the other in the USA.

Anonymous said...

These are such beautiful images and great memories. I love the church! That would make a beautiful sunset photo ;-) Thanks for sharing your memories with us. Have an amazing weekend! ~Hugs

Anonymous said...

When you said louvered glass door, I had to stop and think for a minute and then it dawned on me what it was....those were great! I never see them anymore! Thanks for showing us around and I love that street sign!

Anonymous said...

1774-6... That's incredible that it's still there! I love old structures like that... would love to tour that & the store! Wonderful captures =)

hootnonny said...

I enjoyed traveling Bayou Paul Road. Would love to know all about everyone who lived along that road. Enjoyed the image of your grandmother and kidos.

Lisa Gordon said...

Gail, these are wonderful!
I just love the first one.
Every sign should be so interesting!
Wishing you a fantastic weekend.
xo.

Kerry said...

This was really neat. Thanks for pointing out the levee...wow you wouldn't want that to bust a leak would you?

Greg has something hidden behind his back...

Carletta said...

So sad to see old homes of any kind we knew from our childhood in a state of disrepair. Even though it is out of place I think it's wonderful that you are still able to see and remember the good times within its walls.
Love the old storefront - the b&w was a great choice.
The last shot - the epitome of rural loveliness!

Lynn said...

Wonderful trip. Your photographs stir memories worth revisiting. Happy weekend, Gail.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Gail, that old church is absolutely wonderful and I loved every single thing about this whole post. It's really neat that your kids got to know their great-grandmother! (As a "G-G" myself this really means a lot to me!).....we loved Louisiana so much; this post really makes me want to come back.

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots. That wooden church is stunning!

Unknown said...

I enjoyed this so much.. I just love the looks of that old store. I love the B&W editing. Lots of history here my friend.

Hugs~

Dave said...

Yes, it was nice Gail. It's always nice to reminisce. Loved the old store - Dave

Rosemary Aubut said...

Wonderful memories Gail! The kind that we never forget! Love the church photo but all are wonderful!

Rosemary Aubut said...

Wonderful memories Gail! The kind that we never forget! Love the church photo but all are wonderful!

Unknown said...

Love this "walk" down memory lane.
Nothing stays the same...
not even our memories (at least, mine don't).
What lovely and nostalgic old buildings.
And, thank goodness for photos!

Charlotte Wilson said...

Gail,
Thanks for the trip down your memory lane.
I love that old Catholic church. Too bad your dad forgot where he got married. :o(

Charlotte

Patrice said...

Love your Louisiana photos - my parents grew up in Houma, and your photos reminded me of spending my summers there!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

I really enjoyed this post... so many great memories, lots of history. Love that shot of your grandmother... looks like Greg is hiding something behind his back!

Phil Slade said...

Those are just lovely pictures Gail and coupled with your understated commentary it's another great post. Had to laugh that your dad didn't remember where he got married and so did you obviously.

Kerri Farley said...

Lovely memories! What a beautiful church!

Hilary said...

What a beautiful spot .. and clearly some fond memories. I love the photo of your grandmother and kidlets.. and that church is so charming.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I truly enjoyed this visit with you. It is a beautiful place I love the old buildings and you have beautiful children. Lovely memories.

Amy Burzese said...

A great collection of shots. I can relate as my grandparents place was sold and turned into apartments and went down hill from there. I remember wishing that it would burn down so I wouldn't have to see it in that shape. The car wash in the side yard didn't help things either. Finally they torn it down. It was a relief.

Shug said...

Girl, you really have a sight for subjects to photograph. I just love them all...
Went through your state on our way to Florida, but took the upper roads. 20 to Jackson and down. Sure wanted to travel through your area, but hubby chose the other route.
hugs

Arti said...

Ah! Old memories... They are like gold... A heart warming post Gail.
Have a wonderful sunday :)

janjan0000 said...

Gorgeous Gail! Such rich, interesting history.
I have to get down there one of these days.
LOVE that sign! and the old store! Wow.
xo

Dianne said...

the church is so beautiful!
it's a lovely scene

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

What lovely memories.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Thank you for the walk around your homestead, good that its still standing and you can see it. I am sure it brings back memories.

Have a blessed week!

Michelle said...

Love the history in this post along with the black and white. Such a fun trip down memory lane, thank you for sharing it with us.

Oh...and I agree that your son looks pretty pleased with himself and your daughter thinks he's a riot. :) Those are the kind of photos that become even more priceless with time.

Reena said...

Very nice memories! Love that the old Barthel Store still stands. Looks like a great place for many shots!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Sweet memories! Love the church pic- and the store looks like it holds a ton of memories too.

Barbara said...

Oh, Gail, I'm reveling in so much rich history! Love your memories and your place in all of this. I've got to see that church for myself some day. So glad it's still standing! Same for that grocery store!!

renae said...

hi! I just joined you via Mary at merrydotdandy, my sister! yes, I have seen you comment to her lately and I wondered who you were. So now I know. Please come over and see what your opinion is of my territory? I'd love it if you'd join me? You have a smart blog!