Monday, October 23, 2017

Evening Encounter

By Joann M. Ringelstetter

Photos in this blog post can be purchased as wall art, paper prints, downloads, phone cases, and keepsakes. Just click on the desired photo and look for the blue “BUY” button.

Two years ago, on September 22 at 6:30 a.m., Ruth and I started our day photographing in a cemetery in Richland County, Wisconsin. We photographed our way to the apple orchards in Crawford County, spending several hours in the area. As the afternoon waned, we wandered back through Richland County. Around 6:30 p.m., we found ourselves near one of our favorite rock formations called Steamboat Rock.


We’ve visited Steamboat Rock many times over the years and it never disappoints. For years, there’s been an old abandoned spring house at the base of the rock. It always amazes and delights me to find that it’s still there. However, on a visit there a week ago, it was obvious that it may not be there much longer.


And on another autumn visit over 10 years ago, we discovered upon a close study of the beautiful patterns in the rock, that there was a hornet’s nest camouflaged among the patterns.


We never visit without taking a few photos, so on this autumn day, we drove down the county road that goes past Steamboat Rock and turned off on Steamboat Hollow Road, which was a safer place to park the car for a few minutes. It was a beautiful, warm autumn evening and a peaceful country quiet surrounded us.


As I stood in the road with my camera on the tripod and pointed toward the rock, an old convertible slowly approached. There was an older gentleman driving the car and a young girl on the passenger side, and both of them were thoroughly enjoying the ride. We waved at each other….a sort of acknowledging wave that said, “What a gift it is to drive through the countryside and enjoy the scenery!”


After I finished taking a few photographs, there was still a little daylight left, so we decided to go check on the remains of the old Bowen’s Mill, which is a short distance from Steamboat Rock. Our first visit to this mill was in 1998. Ten years later, on an autumn 2008 visit, it still looked the same.


Bowen’s Mill was built as a flour mill in 1867 on the Pine River. People from the surrounding counties brought their wheat to Bowen’s Mill for grinding into flour. Four generations of the Bowen family owned and operated this mill, which became a feed mill in later years.


And now, it was another seven years later and, other than the landscape being overtaken by trees and shrubs, it still looked the same. We keep expecting to find a pile of rubble whenever we make a return visit, but the old mill continues to stand the test of time.


As I stood there with my tripod and camera, admiring the strength and determination of this old building that was close to 150 years old, I noticed the convertible that I had seen by Steamboat Rock coming toward me. The driver stopped the car in the middle of this quiet country road and said, “Are you the same person who was over by Steamboat Rock a few minutes ago?" “That I am!” I responded. “You’re everywhere!” he exclaimed. “As are you,” I replied.


We both laughed, and then he told me that he was sharing his joy of the open road (and his open car) with his granddaughter. I bid them farewell, and Ruth and I headed for home.

In case you’re wondering if Bowen’s Mill actually made it to 150 years, it did! Ruth and I checked on it a week ago, and it’s still going strong.

Photos in this blog post can be purchased as wall art, paper prints, downloads, phone cases, and keepsakes by clicking on the photo. You will be taken to the gallery website where you will see a big blue "BUY" button. Or to see all photos available, click on the "Browse Galleries" button on the menu at the top of this page. Thank you for your interest!

Happy Shunpiking!
Joann

Monday, October 9, 2017

The Island Church

By Ruth A. Ringelstetter

Photos in this blog post can be purchased as wall art, paper prints, downloads, phone cases, and keepsakes. Just click on the desired photo and look for the blue “BUY” button.

The first time Joann and I visited the Island Church (also called St. Wenceslaus Church) was in January of 1999. It had just snowed, and although the roads were clear, the shoulders were not, and there was no place to park for most of our photos. We would pull up to a stop, Joann would jump out with her equipment and I would drive down the road, waiting somewhere for her until she signaled, and then I’d drive up and she would hop back in.


The little church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2013 and is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. It is also a Wisconsin Registered Landmark.


On February 18, 1863, Anton and Therezia Christel sold 1 acre of land for the church to the first Bishop of the Diocese of Milwaukee for $35.00. The land was on a hill and was surrounded by deep, boggy wetlands with one access road.


The Waterloo Area Historical Society says the church was founded and built by migrants who were mostly Roman Catholics from Bohemia and Germany.

The little church is 32 X 24 feet and was made of log and timbers. After about 20 years, the church was sided to protect it from the weather.


The first priest was Father Hubert Jansen who came from Jefferson. Mass was held about every four weeks. On Sundays when no mass was held, parishioners would gather and a member would read scripture passages and lead prayers.

In 1891, the Island Church priest was Father Francis X. Hess. He moved to the newly completed St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waterloo, and the congregations were merged. Regular services at the Island Church ended shortly thereafter.


The small St. Wenceslaus Church Cemetery was first used in 1865 and is located just behind the church.


In 1970, an article appeared in a Milwaukee newspaper saying that the church had been given to the Wisconsin Historical Society to be moved to Old World Wisconsin near Eagle. Several area residents formed a committee to preserve the church on its original site. The group is known as the Island Church Foundation and they were successful in keeping the church at its original location.


Services are held twice a year at the church. On the second Sunday in July, the church holds a nondenominational service, and on the fourth Sunday of September a Catholic Service is held in celebration of St. Wenceslaus Day.


Our first two visits to the church were almost 10 years apart, and were both winter visits. But finally, in August of 2016, we visited on a gorgeous August Day. This time, without snow on the ground, Joann was able to walk around the church and back to the old outhouses.


There is also a tree swing hanging from a big tree behind the church.


Finally, just a couple of weeks ago, we visited the church when the doors were open. It was our first time to visit when Joann could take some photos inside.

The entryway has a viewing spot in the wall where the original logs can be seen.


The church still has the original unpainted pine pews that were made by an early parishioner. In the aisle between the pews, stands the original small iron stove with extended stovepipes.


The original confessional is still there in the corner.


Everything inside remains just as it was when the last mass was held. The altar still stands with its candlesticks and other religious articles. On the walls, the pictures representing the Stations of the Cross still hang just as they did when the church was in use.


Even with how small the church is, there was a choir loft raised about three feet above the floor.


You can visit the church and cemetery at any time, but if you’d like to visit for a service or view the inside of the church, follow them on Facebook. Events at the church are listed when they are scheduled.

Photos in this blog post can be purchased as wall art, paper prints, downloads, phone cases, and keepsakes by clicking on the photo. You will be taken to the gallery website where you will see a big blue "BUY" button. Or to see all photos available, click on the "Browse Galleries" button on the menu at the top of this page. Thank you for your interest!

Happy Shunpiking!

Ruth