I’m traveling back to my roots this ThursdayDoors. After a DNA test back in May of 2017, I’ve taken the deeper plunge to investigating the paper trail. But there aren’t just paper trails when it comes to these searches. There are places to visit. So the husband and I took a Sunday Drive last weekend since we had temps near 60 degrees and some sunshine. Can’t stay inside on a day like that!
This is Bethlehem Baptist Church in Florence, Missouri. It was here that my Gt. Gt. Grandfather was pastor. Reverend Caleb H. Cramer ministered to this community and the surrounding area for over 50 years of his adult life. This church was home to a whole lotta family members. (You know they had a ton of kids back in the day.) Although I only live 25 minutes away, it’s my first time seeing it.
When choosing this site for the church, I’m sure the view overlooking the valley was a major deciding factor. “Build your house upon the rock” Matthew 7:24-45 is a favorite Bible verse of mine.
From the State Historical Society of Missouri’s public pdf “Organized in 1846 in the home of Reverend B.F. Dinwiddie. The first services were held in a log building on the site of Harmony School, and the first land was purchased from Henry and Amanda Wagenknecht in 1869.”
I happen to have the Reverend Dinwiddie’s final resting place on the far left of this picture. This was a beautiful view of the valley below here.
Civil War Era Photo of my grandparents
About Grandpa,…..Born 1847 and died 1932. But the years between were a life filled with good works. I mentioned his ministry before and he also served in the Civil war in the Missouri Infantry Volunteers. Usually one thinks of most of the Civil War action beyond Missouri, but we actually had a considerable amount of action here.
Rev. Caleb and Mrs. Nancy Cramer
Wish I could see the twin doors in the background!!
Steeple View 
Newer addition 
Side door w/ramp 
Newest addition to the back
I must say I have my husband to thank profusely.
Ron, you’re my hero!! He’s been helping fill out that family tree and it is becoming huge!! Wowza! We’ve gotten back to 1621 in one branch. (I’m such a history nerd)
Thanks for visiting this Thursday and I hope you’ll check out Norm 2.0 and the band of ‘door guerillas’ he has following him. So many wonderful sights to see in the world of Thursday Doors!
Katy Trail Creations 
I grew up in a church like that – I love those doors.
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Mother still attends a church like this one and actually I do too since my current church is minus a pastor for the 3rd time in too soon of a span. Headed over to hers next Sunday weather permitting. thanks for stopping in!
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That’s a lovely looking rural church.
Sounds like you’re having fun with your family tree investigations. It’s a rabbit hole that I haven’t gone down yet, but I can understand how interesting and how much fun it can be.
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Thank you! For my better half’s birthday I bought him a subscription to do more indepth searching for our family tree. His will be way more challenging with his father’s side having some big blanks. Hoping for some good luck. He is having some fortunately so glad I splurged!
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[…] Down this road from Bethlehem Baptist Church […]
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