David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Another Old Church – Lone Star Church of God, Taney Co., Missouri, USA

In 2009 I used one of my TimeShare weeks at Branson, Missouri (in Taney Co.), and one day, for reasons I don’t remember, I was driving aimlessly around some of the back roads northeast of town. I came across a lane called “Lone Star Road” and probably decided to see where it went (since I live in Texas). It was a pleasant drive and right alongside the road, in a grove of trees, was this nice little church. I don’t know if it were still in use, but it did appear to be maintained (and Google Earth knows where it is). Having nothing better to do, and loving churches as I do, I parked there and went inside. These photos were taken with my Nikon D50 camera with their 18-200VR lens, mostly at full 18mm. They have not been very much post-processed, so bear with me on them.

Exterior views

DSC_0110 by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0123 by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0126 by David Casteel, on Flickr (note the curtains)


DSC_0127 by David Casteel, on Flickr (no modern facilities, “Mens”)


DSC_0128 by David Casteel, on Flickr (Women’s—a little nearer the church)


DSC_0111 by David Casteel, on Flickr (welcome sign near door)

Interior views

DSC_0112 by David Casteel, on Flickr (view forward—note the framed items on the front wall)


DSC_0114 by David Casteel, on Flickr (fabric item on front wall)


DSC_0115 by David Casteel, on Flickr (picture of Last Supper on front wall)


DSC_0116 by David Casteel, on Flickr (looking back at the door)


DSC_0118 by David Casteel, on Flickr (the piano, looks in good repair)


DSC_0120 by David Casteel, on Flickr (the wood stove for heat)


DSC_0122 by David Casteel, on Flickr (old photo of church on back wall, and US Flag)

trackmag

Wow. Have never been to Branson. But if I ever get there, this churck would be the highlight of my trip.

Thanks.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Wonderful simple chuch David - nice find!

ELNikkor

Old, obscure roads can take us back in time; excellent photos and documentary on another hidden nugget in Missouri.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Beautiful series.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

David, I love this set of photos just as much as your photos of the grand Abbey photos you recently posted. I’m betting there’s been some wonderful church picnics on the grounds. Thanks for sharing them.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice find and nice shooting.

JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois

I like photographing old churches and enjoyed looking at these images.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

An interesting find on my kind of road...excellent narrative and photos, David!!

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I just got up, and am making my responses. Wow! I didn’t expect to get such a nice reaction. Just proves that I don’t ONLY cover magnificent churches.

Hi, trackmag, don’t think I’ve seen you before. Thanks for looking. The church is on my map, which can be accessed from the page if you click on a picture.

Nice to see you, too, yssirk123. Thanks.

ELNikkor, thanks so much for your nice comment.

jerryc41, thank you very much.

joehel2 (is there a joehel1?), nice to see you. I’m pleased that you found this set interesting.

Jay, thank you. I’m glad you liked it.

JRiepe, I think this is the first time I’ve heard from you. Thank you for coming and the nice words.

And jederick, so happy you came. Thanks for your nice comment.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Not only is there a joehel1, there is also a joehel. Both Yahoo email logins were taken when I set up my account years ago.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

That's interesting. My Yahoo account is my full name with middle initial, no extra numbers or anything. Just lucky, I guess.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

I too, love old churches. Most folks now days don't know about that little building, with the moon cut into the wood, lol.
There is a quite pretty Catholic church west of Conway, Arkansas, You might want to check out. St. Boniface Church - Bigelow (New Dixie). If you are ever again in the area, just off Hwy 60.
Now for a little chuckle. I am on the board of my family's old church/cemetery. The original structure was destroyed by a tornado around 1980, was rebuilt, but only used for a family reunion once a year, and occasional funeral. A few years ago, I went there to clean before the reunion. As I was starting to clean, I moved a piece of carpet on a bench... I received quite a start. A chicken snake had taken up living there, I quickly recovered and after quite a chase, got it out the door. Smart snake, promptly shot around the corner and back into the church thru an open window! Finally convinced it that church was no place for him, and disappeared near the cemetery (no I didn't kill it).

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

#3 for me. I thought for a moment that the box in #5 was the other side of the box in #4

blacks2 Loc: SF. Bay area

Excellent images David.