I wrote the following poem with my first Corps appointment in mind. It pretty much describes the little "Barracks" used there through the years with perhaps an overlap of some details from other very similar structures.

What comes to mind when you read it?

What memories are prompted by the snaps?

The Barracks!
Randy C. Hicks
July 24, 2016

Its form was really simple
A box up on a mound
It stood through weather's worst fare
Just sitting on the ground!

A peaked roof with old shingles
Windows of single pane
White clapboard wrapped it snugly
Each fought against the rain!

One door to grant both entrance
And exit too of course
A day might bring a visit
Some sheep, some cows, a horse!

Inside was somewhat dingy
Bare bulbs, just eight or ten
Were hanging from black wiring
One thinks of way back when!

Benches to seat four people
Each one was painted gray
Comfort was not their purpose
Sitting one fought to stay!

Set up in just two sections
Divided by one aisle
A congregation gathered
Oft greeting with a smile!

And somewhere near the center
There sat a jolly friend
When seasons brought cold weather
On it they could depend!

Pot-bellied stove 'twas known as
With flue stretched way up high
Connected to the chimney
Through which the smoke did fly!

The Sergeant-major stoked it 
With wood and shoveled coal
To outlast the young preacher
His designated goal!

Up front a tiny pulpit 
On small platform was raised
A bass drum in the corner
With snare, our God was praised!

One can't forget the organ
Next to it stood the flag
Better days had passed them by
As now they both did sag!

Finally the mercy seat
An altar some might say
One of the gray benches turned
To face the other way!

Men and women, boys and girls
This mourner's bench did use
The promise of the Gospel -
The Lord would none refuse!

The rafters oft were ringing
Glorious sounds of praise
Did echo down twisted lanes
Back in those good old days!

The place was called the Barracks
Where Sally-Anns did pray
Sing songs, give testimonies,
Preach Christ - Life, Truth, and Way!

A sadness overwhelms me
As through nostalgic eyes
I long to see the old saints
Who then seemed O so wise!

To hear their simple stories
Watch as the tears did fall
With passion cry to Jesus
As on Him they did call!

Their lives had not been easy
Sometimes life was unkind
Yet in that piece of heaven
They never seemed to mind!

I stood there reminiscing
A young Lieutenant's start
Amazed by all the mem'ries
In this old Major's heart!

As now a rusted padlock
You'll find upon the door
The once proud little building
Will share the Faith no more!