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Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Hometown

One of my major ambitions as a child was to grow up and move away from Raleigh. One of my earliest career goals was to be a trapeze artist in a circus. I used to sit under the trees on capitol square pictured above, feeding the pigeons and dreaming my dreams. I frequently skipped Sunday school which was taking place at Christ Episcopal Church which you can barely make out in the right hand side of this photo (red roof). For many decades the same old man sold peanuts on the square and I spent many pleasant moments feeding the birds on the peanuts I bought from him. I can't remember how old I was when I started ducking out of Sunday school to feed the pigeons.The rooster on the top of the church steeple has always been a favorite feature of mine about the church. I think it's a beautiful church and it is the oldest example of the early Gothic Revival Style in the south (U.S.). Richard Upjohn who founded the American Institute of Architects designed Christ Church in 1848. The sanctuary was consecrated in 1854 and the adjacent bell tower was completed in 1861.
Through the arches above, the entrance to the bell tower is on the left and as you walk straight down the path an entrance to the church is on the right and an entrance to the chapel is on the left. I have always preferred the chapel in many ways. Much smaller than the main church and quite beautiful.It's funny how I ended up in Raleigh. It's not the same town I grew up in which in a lot of ways is what I like about it. The triangle area which includes Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Research triangle park and several smaller towns has a lot of variety. I could do without the traffic but I like the diversity in this area. After all is said and done, it's probably just as well that I didn't run off with the circus.

14 comments:

Yolanda said...

I love these photos especially that rooster such quirkiness and whimsy for a church.

Napaboaniya.Elaine Ling said...

Carver I hope you didn't get caught ducking out of Sunday class to feed those pigeons!

I've got an award for you here.
:)

eastcoastlife said...

haha... I'm surprised you want to join the circus!

So happy to hear that your PET scan was clear. *hugs*

SabineM said...

I love those arches!
Oh and your story about the crashing of the Porsche!
YIKES.....

Anonymous said...

WoW......some very beautifully captured shots!

Carver said...

Thanks Yolanda, The rooster has always been fun for me.

Thanks Napoboniya, I appreciate the award.

Thanks Eastcoastlife, I appreciate that and it is funny but the circus was my small child ambition until I realize what a hard life it was, ha.

Thanks Sabine, It is odd how your photo of the porsche sent me back to my friend who crashed her father's so long ago. I guess it was your daughter wanting one. I did find it humorous that you'd tell your daughter sure if she gave up horses. I don't think there is any risk of her taking you up on that.

Thanks Flyingstars, I appreciate you saying that.

Anonymous said...

Now...Lemme see here. Were you skipping Sunday School from the church where your dad was rector?
What did you do, shoo away the pigeons and scurry back in just in time for the sermon?
Carver, Carver, Carver!
The sisters would have kicked my ass if I skipped anything. (smile)
I love the photos and the Triangle has sure grown into a large metropolitan area. Kinda like a new town grew up all around and you didn't even have to leave to be somewhere else.
I am glad you didn't run away and join the circus. I would be afraid of all those heights for you.
Thanks for another great history lesson. 1854. Wow! Glad the chicken has been safe for all these years. (Little vegetarian joke there.)
BTW, I know of no religious significance for a rooster...and I never dared skip anything to do with church. I feel another google search coming...
Love, K.

Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
-Matsuo Basho
(I just love that guy.)

Carver said...

Hey Kim,

Yep, my dad was the rector of the church when I skipped Sunday school. Frankly, I think the teachers were relieved on the Sundays when I didn't show up.

Great quote and I don't think I've heard it before.

Below is some info on the history of the weathercock.

"The rooster is a universal symbol of the sun, as its crowing announces the approach of a new day. In ancient times, the rooster was revered for its intelligence and courage. The rooster's vigilance and ardour won the admiration of the Greeks and Romans, who adopted it as their patron bird. Its noble bearing has made it a universal symbol of pride. The early Christians made the rooster a symbol of their faith because of its role in Peter's denial of Christ. It came to symbolize vigilance, prayer and, in particular, the Resurrection of Christ and Redemption of all Christians" Link where I got that: http://www.civilization.ca/tresors/treasure/136eng.html

jmb said...

You make it look like a very inviting place Carver.
A friend was a professor at Chapel Hill for a few years but came back to Canada eventually. He remembers it very fondly.

MaR said...

Beautiful pictures, Carver. Love the church and the golden rooster! I don't like big cities themselves either, but the variety they offer...
Glad you didn't run off with the circus, you might have never blogged!!!

MaR said...

Found Raleigh in google maps...I love maps!!

Carver said...

Hi JMB, I've always liked Chapel Hill. That's where my surgical ONC works and my parents, one of my sisters, brother, and uncles all went there. When my daughter was accepted there, I wanted her to consider it because it's such a bargain for in state students but she went with out of state schools who gave her academic scholarships so I can't argue with that. I live about 45 minutes from Chapel Hill when the traffic isn't too bad. I'll have to go there sometime and take photos because it's a beautiful campus.

Hi Mar, I love maps too. My daughter sent me a link to one that shows you how to get to somewhere in Europe from the U.S. and part of the instructions involve swimming the ocean. That was pretty funny. As an adult I've had two friends who actually worked for a circus and it made me realize what a hard life that is.

Christy Woolum said...

I love the fact you wanted to join the circus. A woman that always sits by me in church is from your area. She is a huge Tarheels fan. I think it is an area I would love to visit.

Carver said...

Hi Inland empire girl, My mother was a HUGE tarheel fan. She graduated from UNC in the 40s and loved "her" team. As a matter of fact, after her stroke (left side paralysis) one of the few things she still enjoyed was watching Carolina basketball on TV.