Coffeeville’s former Presbyterian Church was constructed 1905, attributed to Andrew Johnson. Johnson was from Sardis, Mississippi, and began his career as a builder (Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Historic Resources Inventory). Johnson, nicknamed “Big Swede” due to his large stature, was an immigrant from Sweden, in 1865 (Andrew Johnson, Architect). He eventually settled in Sardis, building many churches, homes, and stores in the area.
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A rather compact building…interesting.
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And that is an interesting description–“compact.” 🙂
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Hi Suzassippi, thanks so much for the info on Coffeevile’s oh-so-pretty church. I will skirt the question of how someone gets from Sweden to Sardis, much less why someone would want to immigrate during a civil war, but I am curious as to whether or not any repairs have been done on the mural downtown?
Keep traveling,
Susan
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Well, I know you did not ask, but the answer is “circuitously” and the reason was he heard you could make more money in “America” than Sweden in 1865. He went first to New York (of course, right?) and then on to other cities mid-west and south. There is no clear consensus on why he came to Sardis as some of the dates and construction do not really match the stories. However, once he got here, he apparently did quite well.
I do not know about the repair; I took the photograph prior to the mural’s damage, but if I had to hazard a guess, I would say it has not been repaired. I do have to get back to Coffeeville on other research as soon as I have a bit of time, so I will check it for you once I do.
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Many thanks! (For the info as well as offering to have a look at that mural.) Sardis, MS was a loooooong way from NYC in the 1800’s!
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Perhaps there was a young lady that brought him to Sardis? Sigh, the romantic in me 🙂
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I like the building’s clean, simple lines. In spite of the compactness there seems to be a grace about it (no pun intended).
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🙂 Actually, he brought his wife from Sweden a year or so after he arrived, having made enough money to send for her.
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You know your stuff, Lady!
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I always think that it’s a little sad when a church closes. The building looks like it is still in pretty good shape.
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It is. The Yalobusha Historical Society has the building now and uses it. They had it for sale a few years ago.
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It’s nice that an organization that cares about preserving the past owns it. Too often old churches get converted into apartments, flea markets, etc. – or are just abandoned.
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Another gorgeous building that’s so unlike what we have here in Ireland.
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I do love the amazing differences in architecture around the world!
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