The Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church that my Great Grandfather helped to build has a bit of sad history.
Rev and Mrs William Lahtinen and their 2 year old daughter.
They arrived in Finland and the child became ill and died, the parents buried the child in Finland and returned home to America via the Titanic. They perished when the ship hit an iceberg and sank....April 1912.
I sat in a pew and thought about all the people that must have knelt at this communion rail over the years. If you sit there long enough on a warm summer day you can almost hear the shuffling of mens feet approaching, softer footsteps following, small children talking and a shhhh from a parent. Then it is silent again and you embrace the quiet for a moment praying before leaving the church.
Far Side
Having just lost their daughter, I almost wonder if they made a choice, or at least Mrs. Lahtinen to not get on the lifeboat.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes thought I could hear someone humming along during the offertory hymn I played at our old church.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad, sad story although in the end they were altogether. Ed's comment is also something to ponder.
ReplyDeleteStillness in a church cannot be described. My favorite times at our country church is taking a turn locking the doors after an evening meeting. The church is so dark, the only light is a glow of the stained glass behind the altar from a distanced security light, the only sound my breathing. It is awesome.
ReplyDeleteSad history indeed, and a beautiful place to just sit in the quiet.
ReplyDeleteDo you attend this church or is it active or just a historical place to visit? It's beautiful. I am thankful they have preserved the history of it.
ReplyDeleteIt is in a Historical Park in Annandale Minnesota
DeleteSounds can create such an image.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad story. I too wonder if the mother didn't want to get on a lifeboat and leave her husband. Thank you for the lovely and thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteSeems that praying comes naturally in a church, even if you aren't religiously inclined.
ReplyDeleteVery sad story! I can imagine the presence of others in the church.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a sad story and a great loss. I understand just how you feel about hearing people from the past in the church. When I am in a very old building I sometimes feel the same way. That church is just bursting with history and the memories of all that have worshipped there.
ReplyDeleteThat is a sad bit of history!
ReplyDeleteLahtinen is a name in this area. Yes, I imagine that little church has heard a lot over it's time.
ReplyDeleteThe story of the family is so sad... and yet there is always God's beauty in what is left behind. I understand those whispers of the presence of others who have gone before us. I feel them, too. 🙏🏻 ❤️
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad story about your great grandfather and his family. So sorry to hear that. What a shock for all those who knew and loved them back then. God bless them.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a tragic story. So many people perished and each one had a story to his/her life.
ReplyDeleteI used to read pioneer stories often and I much preferred the true life ones. The bravery of people then amazes me when I think of people now and how they react to sometimes silly things.
I spent a lot of time in the church alone. Especially in Spokane. It is a feeling like no other. I know it's just a building, but they are buildings filled with history. Joyous and sad times alike.
I hope you and Far Guy have a wonderful Monday. It was so beautiful here last week and this week is supposed to be light snow off and on and then 7-9 inches on Thursday. Crazy.
Blessings,
Betsy
The communion rail is beautiful. That is a sad bit of history.
ReplyDeleteSuch an ill fated trip! God rest their souls.
ReplyDeleteI love to sit alone in a church. Such peace, especially in this troubled world.
Such a sad story.
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