After church on Sunday, we came home and had a quick bite to eat and then headed to a quaint little chapel. This chapel is the OLDEST LDS CHAPEL IN THE WORLD. England is rich in church history and we're very lucky to live so close to a lot of the places.
The church was sold when the Saints were asked to move to America so that the poorer Saints had an opportunity to go. It then became a ruin and local members of the church were able to purchase the property in 1994. They had to build it back up and in 2004 they donated it to the church.
I would give you all the history of the chapel but I think it would be more beneficial for you to read about it yourself and urge you to do so. It's a great story. Gadfield Elm Chapel Information
Here is a plaque that gives a brief description about the chapel. Sorry if it's hard to read.
When we were there, the missionaries gave Jayni a rock to color on.
They let the kids color on them and then they have the choice to keep them or leave them behind at the chapel. They do this because the pioneers would write messages on rocks and drop them along the trail to inform the next group of travelers about things. Jayni's rock is the second down on the right. She ended up taking her's at the last minute though.
Jayni enjoyed playing Hide and Seek...
...while Mason enjoyed crawling all over and eating the grass.
We had a great time being able to do this as a family. What a great opportunity it has been to live here. My testimony has grown so much and I have such an appreciation for the Saints here in England. They are wonderful people and I have learned so much from them.
4 comments:
It's a beautiful chapel. That's so neat that you were able to go there. It's like it would have been really fun and testimony building.
What a cool Sunday afternoon. I want to see more of the church history sites like that, I can't think of how it wouldn't build your testimony. Their faith was amazing. Loved reading about that chapel and your testimony!
I am pretty sure we went to that chapel when we were in England in 1999. It looks way different now, because like you said, when we saw it, it was in ruin. It is so cool to see it restored! I enjoyed all of your pictures! What an ideal Sunday afternoon for you family.
I am not sure if you live close to Benbow Farms or not, but if you do, you should check it out. My family enjoyed going there and learning the importance of that place to the saints in England. (We also really enjoyed the cows in the pasture right next to it- they were friendly cows!) ;)
We didn't find Benbow Farm even though it's right in the same area. I forgot our map and didn't realize it until after we left the chapel. We drove around in the area we knew it was at but unfortunately were unsuccessful. We will do that on another Sunday afternoon for sure.
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