This is a Wall Hanging done by Juanita Loflin Hunt Winslow…of all the members of Piney Grove UMC sir names up till 1982
PINEY GROVE”S BIG MEETING…
Today was the 4th Sunday in August…The Traditional Home Coming Day for Piney Grove UMC.
Years ago I don’t know when…Piney Grove was organized in 1871…We started having Home Coming, Meeting on the Grounds and a week of Revival with visitors from all over…Back then they came on a wagon or buggy pulled by a horse or horse back…. the folk would camp out in tents and make a brush arbor at the church. Some would stay with their kin folk or families in the neighborhood. It was a BIG event!
I wish I could give to you the feeling of Homecoming. I will try…But no way can I do it justice…
My early memories are of my Grandpa Delk telling me about homecoming when he was a child…
My Grand Mother (Essie) Skeen Delk would start cooking food days ahead of time. She cooked on a wood stove. They lived in a two story house with a wrap round porch and my Grandfather Frank Delk was a good gardener (according to my Grandma Delk… Lyde Nance Delk… my Daddy’s Momma) Grandpa’s Mother was a large framed tall woman…I remember well what she looked like. She wore an apron over her dress. I know she was good cook. She taught my Grandma Delk how to cook many good things! I know Grandma’s Green Beans the best I have ever ate are Grandma Essie Delk’s recipe (and yes there is a secret to them) No I do not share it! Back then the food came from the garden , the farm, and the chicken coop!
This is the wooden box my Great grandma Essie Skeen Delk took her pound cakes to church in on the wagon…and a Basket my Grandma Delk made as well many years latter the type one might have seen in the late 1800’s.
Things like homemade butter, bread, fresh fried chicken, pound cake, persimmon pudding, fresh corn creamed, green beans, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh pickles and home made jelly (Blackberry) were the types of food along with country ham and chicken pie… would have been on the big table strung between the trees out back of the church. The table was made of strong wire and instead of being level kinda draped between the trees. Ladies brought real table cloths to put on it for their food. (and you knew who’s food was who’s by the table cloth and the dishes!)
In my mind I can see and smell the horses with the wagons and buggies tied all round the tree line of the Piney Grove…I can hear the old piano thru the open windows of the church being played lively and the wonderful old songs being sung, like Amazing Grace…I can hear the Preacher preaching and able to be heard! No need of a sound system…(he would have stayed with different families during the week and been fed royally and proudly each day by a different family) I can see the paper fans at work in the hands of the folk sitting on the old hard wooden pews in church…I also see a few boys being boys and playing hooky in the yard! Then there are the old men spitting tobacco out the open windows of the church…And the AMENS! the shouting and spirit filled folks enjoying the day! I also see the seriousness of the people concerned for the lost… I think about the clothes…the ladies dressed in their best…of all the cousins by the dozens, friends, and the excitement of the whole event! It was a big time and important time in the community!
Today… The church is air conditioned, we have nice pretty carpet, and cushioned pews…A sound system…We arrive in nice cars and pick up trucks…We do not stay as long…We still have 3 days of Revival. This year my cousin Rev Benny Clodfelter is the visiting minister.. His Mother my Grandma’s youngest sister Ruth Nance Clodfelter (there were 13 children in the Benny Nance family) they all grew up 1 mile across from the church.
This is a early photo (curtsey of my Great Aunt Virginia Nance) of the Piney Grove School House that was located (across the road from the church)…
We had a wonderful meal in our beautiful fellowship built in the early 80’s …The table between the trees is still outside but it now is a concrete table no sway… We had Lots of wonderful food and fellowship. Many folks in attendance like me children, grand children, great grand children of that “Great Cloud of Witnesses” That I believe were leaning over the bannister of Heaven looking down and in attendance today.
I know I could see so many of them…
On the second pew on the left Astor Delk (my sweet grandpa) sat in a pale pink shirt and a nice tie, he hung his cowboy hat in the vestibule, and he had that nice cowboy belt buckle on the belt he purchased from Ryon Saddlery. He took out his handkerchief to wipe a sweet tear from his eye as he stood up (I never understood) today I do…smile…as he spoke of those that had gone on…How he welcomed all to Homecoming and appreciated them being here!
A photo of my Grandpa Delk and Grandma Delk on the 50th Wedding anniversary!
Over on the right sat my Great Aunts: Aunt Blanche, Aunt Lala, from High Point, Aunt Virginia from up North, Aunt Grace , and Aunt Ruth, and Uncle Mitchell. Most all had something to say…And my sweet Grandma Delk sitting in the choir. She had that wonderful never to be duplicated Chicken Pie cooked and ready to enjoy for all!
So today…I cooked fried chicken, potato salad and deviled eggs. As I got ready for church I thought about …
Saturday Dolly Hulin, and Mary Hulin (Dolly’s Mother) and I had spent the afternoon in what was for me total bliss. We decorated the Fellowship Hall with flowers and tablecloths…We chatted about long ago and what we knew… and imagined…I am smiling and will be for some time! It was a wonderful time of sweet fellowship…
Today was a wonderful day! A true Home Coming! That new Preacher he did a fine job too! Good Message! and he gave a call to the alter! Yeah! A good day! and in the right Tradition!
I had someone say to me “Kay you look happy and are where you are suppose to be”! Yes I believe that! Piney Grove…Yes that new preacher preached a bit about that…today as well.
A photo of what would have been a table cloth or a pallet to sit on for dinner on the grounds…
A photo of my cousins, and my brother too! (at the 50th Wedding anniversary)
A photo of my Great Grandmother’s bowl and pitcher (the preacher and other guests) would have used during the week of visiting during the Piney Grove Big Meeting…(to wash their hands in) remember no running water and no inside restrooms!
