The Church and Father Charlie

The county where my Nephew's wedding was held was Isle of Wight County.  Someday I would love to visit the original Isle of Wight, but this just might be the closest I'll ever come to it.

The church where the wedding was held was St. Luke’s, circa 1632.  It is the oldest existing church of English foundation in America and the country's only surviving original brick Gothic church,  For nearly 200 years, St. Luke's was known simply as "Old Brick Church."

The brickwork around the church exterior is detailed and elaborate.  

And has walls two feet thick.

You enter the church through a wicket door that leads into the nave. Folklore says that small doors set into a larger wood door and requiring those entering to take one high step inside, shut out evil spirits,  On the practical side, it probably kept the interior drier and warmer.

Inside you can't help but notice that the church looks like an upside down boat.  Someone mentioned to me that this was because most of the colonial leaders had experience with building boats.

There are many beautiful stained glass windows,

There is one window that is in memory of Pocahontas, who is said to have been christened in the church.

There is a triple-level pulpit (right in photo) that was built with a sounding board attached to the ceiling which amplified speakers for court and church. It is simple and beautiful.

I wish I would have had more time to walk through the cemetery.  

And to explore more of the grounds.  But it was so hot, and time was not on our side. 

St. Luke drawing a portrait of the Virgin Mary

But we did have time for a late lunch in the town of Smithfield that is the "Ham Capital of the World."  How could you not love a town famous for its ham and bacon?  

It's really a lovely town with Victorian homes and specialty shops that really made me wish I could have just forgotten about the reception. But of course I couldn't.  Maybe next time!

All too soon my trip to Virginia Beach was over and it was time to come home. All was well at Golden Pines, and Charlie had done a great job taking care of the kittens while I was gone--You can watch the video below and see for yourself.  "Father Charlie" really does love "his" kittens!