St. Augustine, Florida is a most beautiful place to see anytime and many times over during the Christmas season. Today’s tree is from the stunning Flagler College located at 74 King Street, St. Augustine, Fl 32084. The campus is named for railroad builder and financier, Henry M. Flagler who built a Spanish Renaissance type hotel in 1888. Today, that old hotel is a liberal arts institution named Flagler College.
The college has its roots from 1968 to the present with the current President being the former Mayor of Jacksonville, John A. Delaney. The campus is 19 acres and is situated in the downtown St. Augustine area.
The tree is located in the Rotunda, just outside of the famous campus dining hall and Lewis Auditorium.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Flagler College, Ramey [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine has a simple Christmas tree with tags offering those with tender hearts to donate. While I was there, besides the tree was a large, brown bag of snacks and crackers apparently left by a parishioner for the less fortunate.
The Cathedral is a monumental building with tall ceilings, beautiful beams and incredible decor. The room was completely empty of people when I walked in. Before leaving, no more than 4 people came and went. It was open at 11:00 am and I was met at the St George Street entrance (side door) with a very sweet and friendly lady encouraging me to enjoy my time.
Martin Luther caused quite a stir in the Catholic Church in the 16th-century causing the Reformation with “Christ Alone”. He also is believed to be the first to add lights (by candle) to the Christmas tree. The Catholic Church resisted use of Christmas trees which was a Lutheran Church tradition. In 1982, the Catholic Church set up a Vatican Christmas tree for the first time in Vatican City.
Luther tree with lights
Fast forward, 2022 and the Cathedral Bascilia has a tree in the sanctuary.
Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Wikicommons (Luther photo), History . com, Ramey, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
St. Augustine Basilica Location: 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, Fl 32084. Go visit.12-6-22
The name of the castle was unusual to me. I have ridden past it for years and years on my way to and from St. Augustine, Florida. It was named after Otttis (yes, three t’s), one of the two builders; the other being named Rusty Ickes.
On their website it is clear that it was built “In remembrance of Jesus Christ” and built for the purpose of”beauty and as a landscape-sculpture”. So the builder himself indicated that the castle was built as an art piece such as the Eiffel Tower or The Washington Monument in Washington, DC not as a business or residence. The tour guide today said it was in the design of an Irish Abbey (Christian Church) and going inside it sure appears so. There are 88 open windows and the structure is taller than 50 feet. At the top it has a castle look with stones affixed. On this day, we met one of the two builders of this structure, Randy.
Our trip began with a friend setting up the visit “by appointment”. When driving in we were met by a man about 6 feet with a flowing beard and brown hair with a hat and sunglasses. Who knew it would be Randy Ickes a man who once had a vision for a castle and enacted on the task to actually follow through and build it.
The castle is located about 3 miles North of St. Augustine, Florida on 3rd Street St. just outside of the Nation’s Oldest City, St. Augustine. Construction began May 1, 1984. The masonry was completed in full by Ottis Sadler and Rusty Ickes and by 1998 the exterior was complete. In the span of 3 years, (1988-1991) Lee Carpenter completed the interior portion with primarily “cypress wood and some southern-pine”. There are 8”elaborate stair cases, an alter, pulpit, series of pews, choir loft and Bishop’s chair” wrote one person describing it. In 1992 it was recognized by the American Institute of Architects.
Sources: Atlasobscura, CastleOttis, Personal visit and observation…
If you choose to go, contact randy @ castleotttis.com
Christmas decorations in rural areas brings such beauty. These trees were placed at the same home; one under a tent so the family could enjoy the season in rain or shine and a small tree at a dirt entrance off of Pickett Road in North Jacksonville.
Both trees had decoration on them and with the small tables and play toys, obviously the children will enjoy.
Obviously, I did not get a tree up until day 4 when I was taking my grandson to a school event and there was a FREE sign on a bagged tree roadside. After dropping him off , I returned to the freebie and getting out of the car met the tree owner who was standing in his driveway. He helped me put the “free” bagged tree in backseat of my car and I ended up home putting up a Christmas tree. It’s about 7 feet tall and already has lights.
Callie, my 4 month old kitty loved it. (I’m not sure how I’ll handle it when I get the ornaments up but, we’ll see going forward.)
Fruit Cove Baptist Church is located south of downtown Jacksonville past Mandarin and the Julington Creek Bridge, just outside of Duval County. The church is located at 501 State Road 13 in St. John’s County.
The church began in 1978 “when a small group of Baptists began meeting in homes in the Fruit Cove area”. At that time, there was a two-lane highway. Today it is hustling and bustling with a four-lane highway, strip malls and several grocery stores.
The Christmas tree for 2022 is a faux fir tree with white snow painted on its branches. There are several trees in the lobby. We used this one for a photo op. Sometimes you’re not ready for the photo and no one got a better one so there’s that. The kids are cute tho….
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Photo-Katie Dingman, Visit: Fruit Cove Baptist, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
This Christmas tree is one of the biggest I’ve photographed this year. It’s located in the center area of the first phase of the Town Center right in front of Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant. The faux fir tree is a whopping 32 foot Christmas tree and decorated for the season.
While there today, I noticed couple after couple getting their photo taken in front of the huge tree or taking photos of the huge tree. The 16th annual tree lighting was held Saturday, November 12, 2022 beginning at 2:PM for family highlights and the actual lighting at 8PM along with a fireworks finale.
Jacksonville’s “Town Center “ website boasts of over 175 stores including restaurants, Jewellers and luxury destinations. It’s located off of Southside Blvd and you can get there by way of I-95, I-295 and J. Turner Butler Blvd or Beach Blvd if coming from the beaches. It would take more than a day to visit all of the stores at the Town Center but you might try it all a day at a time. Be sure to include setting up a schedule to eat and shop. Both can be done.
From Target, the Apple store to Tiffany & Co. the Town Center is a great place to shop.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Maggiano’s, Ramey, Google, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
Christmas has been a tradition at First Baptist Church Jacksonville for many years. The First Baptist Church of Jacksonville began in 1838, with a handful of people, both Black and White, seeking to serve God. From 1838 until the 1861-Civil War, the church developed and grew having several locations over the years in which to worship. During Civil War times and the Indian Seminole war there were months on end that the church was not even functioning in a group setting so it is unknown if the church decorated their facility in any way. We now have some understanding of this type of situation having gone through the Pandemic beginning in 2020 and not meeting for months and months. Though the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic from March 8 and into the 2021 Christmas season, the First Baptist Church did not meet in person. There were some decorations however because a lot was done online and the podium area was prepared for online worship. Decorations were limited by those who went to the church to perform online services. We are still seeking information and history on the traditions of the Baptist Church in Jacksonville. We hope to have more information over time.
FBC- 2022
From the 1960’s until the present it seems the church had a Christmas Tree in the building at some location. Over the years, the dining hall has definitely been a place of great decoration, color and beauty. For years and years Sunday School classes would have their Christmas parties at the church in one of the divided areas and there would be great fanfare and decoration. Throughout the building for years, beautiful Nativity scenes and the like would be in departments throughout the church. Classrooms were decorated by the members of each class and there was no end to the beautiful and creativity of people who loved the Lord.
Season upon season the church facility was decorated by Virginia Ennis, a faithful member and owner of Gladwell’s Florist. Wreaths, streaming greenery, Christmas trees, ornaments, Nativity scenes depicting the Christ-Child and lighting were seen throughout. For many years this was the way First Baptist decorated the church.
There have been many seasonal traditions through the years including the decoration and lighting of the tree, giving to missions in a wooden manger and the “Chest of Joash”, the traditional pledge card/giving day.
Decorating the church has been important concerning seasonal celebrations at First Baptist Jacksonville. In recent years, staff, leadership and lay members have been decorating and this year was no different. “Serve Day” was used as a way to allow members to take part and many Christmas decorations were set up. It is unclear when the first tree was decorated at the church but for sure, the birth of Christ has been front and center.
This year’s tree is at least 20 feet tall with the songs of the seasons framed and hanging . Go see it. It will not disappoint.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Personal interviews, Personal experience, Buddy Wall, church historian, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
Visit-First Baptist Church- 125 West Ashley Street , Jacksonville, Florida 32202
The famous painting of the Signing the Mayflower Compact 1620, a painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris 1899 represents so very much regarding this document. The Mayflower Compact lets us all know that our great Nation’s early beginnings were rooted in the Christian faith and we, even today should give thanks to God for His blessings to America.
Jean Leon Gerome’s 1899 paintingStamp- Signing of the Compact
Modern version
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.[16]
Based on the former Congressman, Charles E. Bennett, the first actual Thanksgiving in America was when Rene Goulaine De Laudonniere, the French explorer set foot on Florida soil in 1564. Bennett, the author of many books on Florida including “Twelve on the River St. Johns”, “Fort Caroline and Its Leader”, “Florida’s “French” Revolution” and more makes note of the fact that over 50 years before the Pilgrims came to America, the French were here in 1562. Laudonniere, leading a second voyage, established Fort Caroline in Jacksonville, Florida thanking God and claiming Florida. There is a marker on the grounds of Fort Caroline of a marker designating as the land where the first Protestant proclaimed God.
On September 21, 1950 Charles Bennett sponsored a bill to establish Fort Caroline in Jacksonville, Florida a National Monument to commemorate the establishment of their search for religious freedom. His quote on that day was…
“The 425th anniversary of the beginning settlements by Europeans…renamed from Fort Caroline to San Mateo, to San Nicolas, to Cowford and finally to Jacksonville in 1822… “
According to History.com, the First “Thanksgiving” was September 8, 1865 when there were “Blaring trumpets and thundering artillery” serenading Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles arrival and claim of Florida thanking “God and his country” in St. Augustine so there are those who claim that.
Of course, we all know the story of the Pilgrims landing in 1620 having a meal with the Indians and a story of the First Thanksgiving.
Fort Caroline was founded by French Protestant Christians who were called Huguenots. They were seeking religious freedom.
Rene Laudonniere, French Protestant
Quotes from days gone by….
“What pleasure it would give us to find any indication of Charles’s Fort on the Carolina coast, where a French Protestant colony attempted a settlement, a full century before the English; or the stone pillar with the arms of France , erected, on that occasion, on the river of May.” Abiel Homes, 1814
“…The Fort Caroline settlement set a new pattern for religious freedom in America – a pattern which was to be imitated until religious liberty and personal freedom become the great trademark for the United States.” Charles E. Bennett, Laudonniere and Fort Caroline
“On June 30, 1564, construction of a triangular-shaped fort…was begun with the help of a local tribe of Timucuan Indians… Home for this hardy group of Huguenots…their strong religious…motivations inspired them.”
According to Bennett, The French Christian Huguenots in Florida set a day of Thanksgiving and offered the first Protestant prayer in North America on JUNE 30, 1564: “We sang a psalm of Thanksgiving unto God, beseeching Him that it would please Him to continue His accustomed goodness towards us.”
Most importantly is being thankful to God for his bounty at whatever point you came.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: History. com, NPS. gov, nationalparks. org, ribaultsong .com
