Sunshinexpress
ikwilson@att.net
The two remaining trees in front of our Church was a significant
Landmark. The entire Church was aware of the necessity of this removal,
and were given the assignment To reminisce, and write down
what these Trees has meant to us in the past.
This is my report. This is in Story Format.
God established these two trees sometime before the beginning of this
twentieth century.
This was several years before the first church was built on this property.
On February 7th 1992 Man laid these trees to rest. The reason for this removal was obvious to all;
They were beginning to be more of a liability than an asset,
Their limbs decaying, Falling on parking lot. They were in very fragile condition.
The entire congregation unanimously agreed upon the removal.
If these Trees could talk!
I am sure they would remember, and tell more of what went on in there
presence than I,
or the entire Church at Grape Chapel could remember.
I will try to recall from memory what these trees meant to me.
I was born 5/5/29 (For the record)
and by the time I was between the age of 2_3
The very first memory of life would happen under these trees.
Our family lived about a mile from this spot.
Attending Church services were the most important part of our childhood.
I had 2 older brothers, 3 older sisters and a baby sister at the time this story begins.
Our (The Wilson Family) Mother and Father would see that we always
attended each service
if at all possible. Dad, in the early years of my life would not always go with us,
But I can remember him always having the lantern filled and ready.
Well, not always, because there were times when we didn't have enough oil for the lantern,
Or just simply had to conserve. At this time (many times!) Dad would have the Pine Torch chosen,
and prepared for quick lighting.
There was a trail at the back of our barn we would follow across the top of the hill,
And down the washed out path to the bottom.
There we would cross the Bucker Branch.
The area just across this branch would later become the property of: Bill Keen.
Bill Keen was a brother to my Mother.(Josie Keen Wilson)..
Even though wagons and horses formed the road leading by this property,,
It was like a super highway compared to the trail we had just descended.
We would follow this road,(northeast).
This road would pass in front of my Grandpas'' (I. J. Keen) house.
This property is still in
the Keen family..
FROM here we would go East, and cross Moccasin
Creek.
This was just one more obstacle before getting to the church.(more later)
After crossing the Creek we would follow lane to the Tatter house:
This was the only remaining structure of the John Keen house place.
John, was my great Grandfather. ,
The construction of ''Kirk Road'' (298 now)
was still active at this time, and what a delight it was for little bare
footed boys to run and play on this graded surface.
It was at this intersection that we would be in sight of those majestic Oak trees.
.It was also here that George and Lottie Keen would soon be moving,
and building their home.
Since there was normally enough natural light at night hsre to see
without the torch or lantern, It would be left
at the Tatter house until our return.
Well some of you might be guessing as to where the Roy Wilson (my
Father) home place was located.
It was at the very top of 2nd hill across moccasin creek on road now called Elliott Trail.
O.K. let us get back to the Trees.
If those Trees had eyes they could see the Wilson clan
as they rounded the curve at the Tatter house,
and know that more company is coming.
Without the church records I will not comment on when the Brush Arbor was built,
But I can tell you it did remain there for most of my childhood.
It was attached to these Two Oak trees
as well as other smaller trees located where the Church stands today.
As the Wilson family arrived, Within all probability
Many other families were already there and the service was about to begin..
Remember? I said at the beginning of this story,
This very place would be my first memory of life?
WELL, It was about to happen.
This fact, Indicates, and is true,
The first part of story simply had to be fabricated, or reconstructed.
The story would prove to be easily written, as this very same pattern
would be repeated over and over until I was a young adult.
This meeting under these trees, Probably was some type of special
service.
There was this bearded gentleman up front, making preparations to preach.....
While my baby sister was being held and consoled by another of the family,
I fell asleep in my mother’s arms...
After all, how much could a child my age endure?
Being chased and dragged and carried this mile of treacherous path.
I don’t remember the prelude to the service,
But I will never forget this
first impression of the sermon
that was about to happen: I awoke
abruptly! Why?
With all this shouting, preaching, crying; Surely there is no one asleep by now.
It was explained to me later, The subject of this service included ""Fire and Brimstone"
" and here I was apart of this great service...
doing my part: Crying my heart out...
This was my first memory. In this first sermon,
I also remember a relative quietness and thanksgiving.
This same preacher, The one that had awaken me telling me about the perils of Hell,
was now telling me about Jesus.
Mother would later expand on this topic.
To me The Title of this first Sermon in memory
could very well have been "Good Boy...Bad Boy."
When the first permanent Church structure was built,
It was located across the branch where the parsonage now stands.
(History of Origin is available} The Brush Arbor remained, attached to these Trees
for a few more years. It was used for the Ladies ''Grove meetings''
and special gatherings. The Men’s ''Grove meeting'' was on side of hill,
Back side of the new Log building.
And... Then... there were the tables that were placed in the shade of these trees.
Homecomings, Dinner on the Grounds was among the many acuities
that was dependant on the shade of these trees.
The tables were still in use when the present building was constructed.
This new building was dedicated in 1947.
Others have told of memories the trees have brought back.
My Sister remembers our dear Mother that was always there,
making sure that all her children were in Church regular.
She also remembers our father who would always insist
that We make this the most important part of our lives.
Dad would later, become a more forceful roll in our lives
when he accepted The Lord Jesus as His personal Savior.
She also respects, and remembers the things
I have written about the early services that were held under the umbrella
of these Two Trees. Shouting, and praising The Lord.
Earlier in this Story, I told of the trail leading to The Grape Chapel
Church.
Yes it was rough, washed out, with many obstacles to overcome,
such as crossing the Bucker branch. This crossing was not only difficult at times,
It was Challenging. After a hard rain the only way to cross was to run
and JUMP across or wade. It was here that I broke an ankle when I was 14.
And then there was the big creek; always having to walk this footslog
that was sometime slippery.
And always the possibility of dropping the pine torch
at night, starting a forest fire.
Are there difficult times in our lives today?
Personally, The perils of the above instances, seems so minor today.
Just stop and consider the hard times we have today,
The obstacles we face each day,
The ever-changing moral family values.
Yet We have to stand firm and remember our
Responsibility, and commitment.
Yes, If these Trees could talk ,
I am sure they would be somewhere in the
smoke clouds above,
looking down on the ones that worshiped in their
presence,
reminding us that our lord and Savior Jesus Christ
is the same today, as yesterday
and will still lead us though the Valleys
and mold us in preparation For the climb up the mountain
and The Crossing of The Great Divide.
Copyright I. J. Wilson
