Day 15 - Inspired Sunday - St. Martin's Catholic Church in Valwig, Germany

I love to visit churches and cemeteries in my hometown and when we travel. There's a lot of history just waiting to be discovered!

On our last trip to Germany we stayed in a quaint apartment above a wine shop owned by Manfred Stein and Sons Winery. 

Not only did we have access to some wonderful wine from the Moselle River region but we were greeted each morning by the clanging of the church bells. 

Small towns in Germany love their church bells and they usually start at 7 am. It's like the official get up and get out of bed for the entire town. It's actually a nice way to be woken. 

Not only did we have a wine shop downstairs but we had this lovely view out our window...

St. Martin's Catholic Church overlooks the Moselle River as it sits above the small town of Valwig, Germany.


After dinner we took a walk up the hill and visited the church. The quarry stone structure is quite imposing with the tall plain windows and massive door.

The church is surrounded by a small cemetery. 

Two crucifixes flank the front doors of the church.

Don't be content to just gaze out the window. Get out and take a walk and see what you can see!

For the month of October I'm going to be writing everyday mostly about walking. I hope I might encourage someone to get outside and take a walk!

Day 2 - Inspired Sunday

The best cure for jet lag is to stay up! 

We'd flown all night and our flight arrived at the Frankfurt Airport at 9 am (3 am our time). From past experience we knew the best way to beat jet lag is to stay up even though the body's saying it's time for bed. So our friends picked us up and we headed out for our first day of adventure in 

Germany. 

The Nurburging is a popular motorsports complex located in the town of Nurburg, Rhineland-Palatinate about 164 km northwest of Frankfurt. The race track was interesting but our real destination was the Classic Race Museum  located 5 km from the race track. 

So off we went. 

The guys checked out the museum and met the owner who apparently was a pretty interesting individual.

The girls decided to save our 6 euro and instead have a coffee in the museum's cafe and to take a walk through the small town. I was delighted to find just a short distance from the museum this small brick church. 

Maybe because I was tired or had too much caffeine but I've no idea of the name of the church. I only know if you make it to the Classic Race Museum take a short walk to the corner and you'll find it! There's no parking but the town is tiny and the church is well within walking distance of all the houses. 

Next time you're in a new place take a walk. 

There might be something interesting around the next corner.

For the month of October I'm going to be writing everyday mostly about walking. I hope I might encourage someone to get outside and take a walk!

A Walk By Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Downtown Jacksonville

After a meeting in downtown I decided to take the long way back to my car. Temperatures of close to 100 made it a quick walk but I managed to snap a couple photos on my way.

Downtown Jacksonville boosts several beautiful old churches and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church one of my favorites. I love the tall spires and the red roof.

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church is one of the oldest Catholic Churches in north Florida. The original church was founded in 1854 and just a few years later in 1863 it became the victim of the Civil War when Union soldiers looted and burned the building. In 1871 a new building was dedicated but disaster stuck once again when in 1901 the building was destroyed in the Great Fire that consumed downtown Jacksonville.

The Gothic style building we see today was constructed in 1910. One hundred and six  years later the church draws hundreds of people each week for daily mass, confessions and weddings.

My photo taken on my cell phone doesn't do the beautiful building justice. You can take a virtual tour of the exterior, interior and the stain glass windows by clicking the link below.

Church Tours - Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

No matter where you are always take the time for a short walk and just see what you find. There are treasures around every corner!

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

121 E Duval Street

Jacksonville, Florida

Corner of E Duval and Ocean Street




Check out other churches at:

Inspired Sunday - Church of the Good Shepherd in Spanish Harlem

While participating in The Great Saunter, a walk around Manhattan, we passed through Spanish Harlem also known as El Barrio.  As we made our way down Isham Street we got a fleeting look at the Church of the Good Shepherd. It was a solid, impressive granite building that took up the entire block. 

The Church of the Good Shepherd is a Catholic church established in 1915. The original wood structure was built on land purchased from the Isham family. In 1935 Architect Paul Monaghan designed the present Romanesque-style building you see today.

The Church of the Good Shepherd was originally established to minister the Irish community. Today the church and adjacent school serves a largely Hispanic congregation. 

This church was only one of the many interesting sights we passed on our long walk around Manhattan.

Inspired Sunday - Avondale United Methodist Church

Riverside-Avondale is a wonderful example of a walkable neighborhood. Sidewalks that run under a beautiful canopy of shade trees, parks and benches scattered here and there, the river and lovely old houses to drool over make for a nice walk. Not only that but the neighborhood is pretty much self contained.  A hospital, grocery stores, restaurants and numerous churches are all within walking distance. This is one of our favorite areas to walk and so many churches to look at it's hard to choose just one to highlight...

Avondale United Methodist Church

The church was organized as the Avondale Methodist Episcopal Church and a lot was purchased and a small chapel built in 1927. In 1941 the Gothic style sanctuary was built by architect Leroy Sheftall. The message engraved above the sanctuary doors reads "To the Glory of God".

A lovely day of walking in a beautiful neighborhood! 

Avondale United Methodist Church

New Zion Missionary Baptist Church - Fernandina Beach, FLorida

New Zion Missionary Baptist Church is the second oldest African American Church on Amelia Island. The church was founded in 1870 by Rev. Lewis Cook and met in member's homes until a church was constructed in 1878. The the original wooden structure burned on February 11, 1907. Under the direction of Rev P.A. Callaham the current building was completed on the same spot by November of that same year. A mere six years later in 1913 the mortgage was burned. Pretty impressive!

On the naming of the church one of the members said, 

"call her New Zion and she will never grow old".

The corner stone was laid in 1907.

New Zion Missionary Baptist Church
10 South 10th Street
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Information on the history was found at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church website.

St. Mary's African Methodist Episcopal Church - Armstrong, Florida

Last week we took a nice long walk on the Palatka-to-St. Augustine rail to trail in St. John's county. After reading the history of this rail road line and that it passed through the historic town of Armstrong I knew this would make an interesting walk.

Armstrong Historic Community

The town of Armstrong is one of  the oldest African American communities in St. John's county. The small community was settled about 1886 around a sawmill. By 1900 it was a thriving agricultural community shipping potatoes by rail. Timber and turpentine was another big industry for the small community.

While walking the trail you can see the location of the train depot, the Armstrong post-office and the Sand Cut Camp which was for railroad employees. You can also see the remains of St. Mary's AME Church.

St. Mary's African Methodist Episcopal Church

The original church was a wood frame building constructed in 1914. This building was destroyed by fire in 1915 and the members met for the next ten years in homes around town. The present church and bell tower was built in 1925. I can just imagine the excitement of the congregation when their new building was finished.

The picture on the sign shows the church in 1985.

This is what the church looks like now. If you peer closely you can just barely make out the remains. The woods and undergrowth are threatening to completely over take the abandoned building. 

(I could have gotten a better picture if I had gotten off the trail and tramped through the high grass and underbrush. But this is Florida and that means ticks! So, no way...I stay on the trail.)

Take Time to See the World Around You!

 I often wonder if any of the bicyclist that blew by us have ever taken the time to stop and peer off the trail to see the ruins of this tiny church. Walking is a nice way to  view the world around us at 3 miles per hour.

Get outside and take a slow walk to see what you can see!

State(s):	Florida
Counties:	St. Johns
Length:	8.5 miles
Trail end points:	FL 207 and CR 207 (Spuds) to (nearly) I-95 in Elkton

You can see other churches and cemeteries by checking out:

San Biagio Church - Montepulciano, Italy

Built from locally quarried travertine San Biagio Church sits at the base of  the medieval hill town of Montepulciano. We could see the church from the wall of the town and we just knew we'd have to make our way down the hill to check it out. 

The church is even more impressive close up. Built around 1500 the church was designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder. A nice solid building.

The dome of San Biagio served as the inspiration for the dome of St. Peter's at the Vatican.

The front of the church is actually pretty plain with one lone tower. There was supposed to be a matching tower but it was never built. Even so it is a beautiful, impressive church surrounded by a lush green lawn perfect for a picnic or a little nap.

Check out more churches being shared at 

Unknown Wall Painting of the Crucifixion in Lucca, Italy

While on vacation in Italy we made what was to be a quick stop in Lucca.

Lucca is in the Tuscany region not far from Pisa and famous for the well preserved Renaissance wall that surrounds the city. The wall is broad and perfect for walking or biking and at a distance of 2 miles makes for a leisurely walk. The idea was to walk the wall, hop back in the car and make the drive to our Airbnb that was to be our home during our stay in Tuscany.

You know what they say about the best laid plans. Hunger drove us down into the town in search of lunch. We ended up walking just about every street in this beautiful town.

Have you ever snapped a photo of something and later on wish you'd taken the time to get more information? Or a better photo? That happened with me while in Lucca.

As usual I was trailing behind my travel companions as we walked down an alley. Suddenly a rusty iron fence caught my eye and I stopped to take a photo. It was in front of what I thought was just an arched doorway. I was delighted to see the fence was some what protecting a wall painting.

See the small white rectangle on the wall below the painting? It say 'Eleosine' which translates as alms. There is a small slot for depositing coins. Could this have been a convent or a monastery and the money used to help the needy?

A beautiful rendition of Christ on the cross. How long before it completely disappears? Anyone familiar with Lucca or this wall painting? I would love to know more about this painting before it's gone.

Sharing over at 

Walking the Way of the Cross - Madonna della Corona, Spiazzi, Italy

In my previous post I wrote about our visit to  Madonna della Corona. A beautiful church built into the side of Balto Rock in Spiazzi, Italy. Today's post is about the walk down to the church. I actually enjoyed this walk almost as much as the church itself.

We parked in the lot of Stella Alpina a hotel at the top of the mountain. The hotel and conference center is part of the Madonna complex. We weren't sure how far we'd need to go but  even so we set off down the narrow road.

The view of the surrounding mountains was spectacular!

There's actually two ways to get up and down the mountain. The road which is winding and narrow or the STAIRS! Pictured below is only one section of the stairs. The other sets of stairs are cement like this one but very narrow and they have no hand rails. We came down the road and back up by the stairs. 

I'll admit that I abandoned the stairs half way up and finished by way of the road which wasn't quite as steep. Our young in excellent shape son ran to the top. Show-off!

The views were lovely but we were delighted to find that the road was lined with life sized bronze sculptures depicting the Way of the Cross. The sculptures are by the Veronese architect Raffaele Bonente. (You won't see the sculptures if you take the stairs. A great excuse to walk the road!)

The Way of the Cross

The Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross shows the life of Christ from his arrest to his Resurrection. Talk about a wonderful walk. Not only was the view of the mountains and across the valley breath taking but to see the life of Christ portrayed so vividly was engaging.

Station I

Jesus is condemned by Pilate

Station II

Jesus takes up his cross

   

Station III

Jesus falls the first time

Station IV

 Jesus meets his mother

Station V

Simon of Cyrene carries the cross

Station VI

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

Station VII

Jesus falls the second time

Station VIII

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem 

Station IX

Jesus falls the third time

Station X

 Jesus stripped of his garments

Station XI

Jesus nailed to the cross

Station XII

Jesus dies on the cross

Station XIII

Jesus is taken down from the cross

Station XIV

Jesus is laid in the tomb

Station XV

The Resurrection 

This was one of may favorite places to visit on our trip to Italy. It's well worth a side trip if you're in the area!

Santuario Madonna della Corona
Località Santuario, 1
37020 – Ferrara di Monte Bardo
Verona, Italy
Phone and Fax (+39) 045 7220014

Rector Don Pietro Maroldi
info@madonnadellacorona.it

How to get there
By car: From the A4 Milan-Venice, exit Peschiera del Garda and continue towards Spiazzi (km 38); or from the A22 Brennero-Modena, exit at Affi, Spiazzi direction (20 km). By train: the station of Peschiera del Garda or Verona Porta Nuova, take the bus, line Spiazzi Caprino.