Mammoth Cave Baptist Church Building in Kentucky

Last year, we visited Mammoth Cave National Park two different times. As you might imagine, our main goal there was to see some of the caves, and we went on two different cave tours. But we also took a little time to see some of the other sights of the area above ground.

As we were driving through the park area, Laura and I came across the Mammoth Cave Baptist Church. I always enjoy seeing old church buildings, and this one was quite interesting, tucked away between the trees and the woods. Very different from something like the Metropolitan Cathedral in Panama, this one was just a simple wooden building, relatively small and unassuming. Of course, the church is not the building, but rather the church is the people. So you should definitely not judge a church by is building, but rather by its love for God. But it is still interesting to see all the different types of church buildings that have been built over the years.

As the sign above the doors states, this church began in 1827, and it continued meeting in this building until the 1970s. This particular building was built in 1927, after the previous building was destroyed by a tornado.

Next to the church building is the Mammoth Cave Baptist Church Cemetery. It was very common for churches to have cemeteries adjacent to their buildings, and this one was no different.

Among those buried in the cemetery is William Floyd Collins, who is known as the “Greatest cave explorer ever known”. Collins had explored the caves around this area, and became trapped in a small passageway in Sand Cave. The attempt to rescue him got national media attention, and Collins died before he could be reached. We had heard about Collins during one of our cave tours, so it was interesting to see where he was buried.

Places like the Mammoth Cave Baptist Church might not be hugely popular and filled with people, but we enjoy finding places like this to visit.

Cemeteries

Although two thirds of the photos in this post are of the church building, we actually spent more time looking around at the cemetery than at the building. We are often quick to stop at what looks to be an old cemetery to have a look around.

Some people find cemeteries creepy and spooky, but we do not find them that way at all. Cemeteries are filled with all kinds of history, and that makes them interesting. Sometimes you can discover that history just by reading the grave markers, but sometimes you have to look up more information later on. We like seeing how old the grave markers are, and we like to learn the little bits of information that we can glean from the markers, too.

Also, each person in a cemetery was important to someone. Someone took the time to bury their loved ones and place grave markers there to commemorate them. Those loved ones were a blessing to those left behind after their passing, and the loved ones wanted to memorialize the blessings that the people were to them.

We all have people who are blessings to us. Make sure you realize that before they are gone.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

About the Photos

Ironically, I was looking for photos for a black and white post when I came across these, but I quickly realized that the church building looked much better in color than in black and white. I did give it a slight bit of a golden glow because that look appeals to me, and then I used those same settings on the other two photos, too.

Photo: Each photo is a single Raw exposure, processed in Darktable.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 II
Lens: Rokinon 35mm f/1.8
Date: July 7, 2024
Location: Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky