by: Jonathan Widener
For over three years now, I have driven through Glendale Springs on my way to work in Wilkesboro. Twice a day, four to five days a week, I would drive by the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and see lights on in the church and the signs advertising the Frescoes. A fresco, should you need to be caught up, describes the method of painting on fresh plaster using water based paint. Basically, their incredibly beautiful paintings on plaster.
Ben Long, an artist from Statesville, North Carolina, painted the frescoes with student assistance at St. Mary's Episcopal in West Jefferson in the 1970's and finished up at the Holy Trinity in 1980. They are masterful paintings indeed.
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| Mary, Crucifixion, John the Baptist |
Mr. Long, who this year was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the highest honors presented by the Governor of the State of North Carolina. It's an honor that's awarded to individuals that have a long and distinguished record in service of the state. Long painted three separate Frescoes in St. Mary's. On the left, Mary with the child. On the Right, you'll see John the Baptist. And in the center you see a depiction of the crucifixion.
On the day I took the picture above, a church group from Statesville had already arrived and were listening to the story behind the frescoes. Both Churches offer self guided tours and feature a push-button audio recording telling the story of the paintings.
While both church's are nice, St. Mary's is definitely the nicer of the two with padded pews and carpeted floors. You will find parking to be limited at the building but a separate parking area can be found a good strole away. Walking is good right?! The church is located on Beaver Creek Rd in West Jefferson.
Of the two church's that hold the Frescoes, my favorite has to be Holy Trinity in Glendale Springs. The church has a really amazing story and a rich history. The church was actually closed for 34 years prior to being reopened. The Frescoe were part of the revival of the building. The pews, which had been distributed and donated to families were all returned and the church reopened in 1980.
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| The Last Supper |
Mr. Long painted this rendition of the Last Supper with the aid of college students and residents of the area, whom happened to serve as models for the frescoe. Much of the accommodations located around the church were not there until the project began and the church reopened. In many aspects, the frescoes and the church form the heart of the community.
Holy Trinity has a larger parking area across the street and local grounds for picnics. It's located on a larger tract of land that includes a cemetery and an opened lower level for visitors. On my first visit, I was taking in a fresco that was painted by one of the students when I noticed that to the right, there was a columbarium. Basically, it's a mausoleum for the cremated. These are all located in the church's grotto; a public area for the urns to be displayed. And it was around this time that I started to wish I hadn't visited by myself and that it was time for me to end my visit.
All kidding aside, these places are both North Carolina treasures. It's so rich and rewarding to know that both churches are still in operation with regular Episcopalian services being held each Sunday. Both locales are always open for tours unless services are taking place. If you're passing through and you want to slow down, you really should stop in for a visit. Both locations are small and come across as unassuming but don't pass them by! They really do have a lasting impact.
Edited: Jason Bowen
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