Church

[MichaelRedBeard]

I'd like to go to church on Sunday throughout my thru-hike, can anyone provide with some assistance with regards to how I might be able to make that happen? I got the AWOL Guide book but haven't had a chance to see if church information was listed in there. Any thoughts?

[kayak karl]

if you are in town on Sunday do an internet search.

[johnnybgood]

Inquire at the local grocer during resupply . Do an internet search in advance .

[4eyedbuzzard]

The AT goes through or near a lot of small towns. Pretty much all have churches, but obviously not all denominations are going to be represented, especially in different regions. Even so, scheduling your hiking around actually being in one of those towns on every Sunday will probably be difficult. For example, you wind up in a town on a Thursday and the next town is four trail days away. Going to church EVERY Sunday while thru-hiking would require a lot of advance planning and support by folks willing to pick you up and shuttle you from road crossings. Try a google search on churches for all the various trail towns, but keep in mind that your schedule is going to be very fluid and will constantly be changing as well. Best of luck on your hike.

[scrabbler]

If you have good cellular service and a data plan, you can certainly stream services. An AM/FM radio can likely pick services up too.

[Spirit Walker]

For much of the trail, it isn't that difficult to get to a town that will have church services - sometimes Sunday a.m., sometimes Sunday evening. sometimes Saturday evening. If you want specific denominations it can be a bit more difficult, but if you're open to new experiences, going to church along the AT can be really interesting. I went to church frequently - Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Pentacostal . . . Some services I liked, some were rather disturbing, but I thought it worthwhile to experience how other people worship.

I met a woman who was Catholic who went to Mass at least once a week. She didn't mind staying over or hitching back to make sure she got to a Saturday or Sunday service. There are a few exceptions - the Smokies and Maine can be more difficult - but even there, you just need to think ahead.

[2NewKnees]

Sounds like a fun thing to do by just finding a church when you get to town. No particular plan at all.

[Rain Man]

An entire book was written by a thru-hiker doing just that. Bill Irwin wrote the introduction. If I can find the author and title, I'll add an edit.

[swjohnsey]

Just about every town has a church. Many of the churches along the way will feed you, to boot.

[No Directions]

I'm not Catholic but I would love to attend a service at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry. It's a beautiful building and has some rich history.

[couscous]

An entire book was written by a thru-hiker doing just that. Bill Irwin wrote the introduction. If I can find the author and title, I'll add an edit.

Sojourn in the Wilderness: A Seven Month Journey on the Appalachian Trail by Kenneth Wadness?

[Rain Man]

Sojourn in the Wilderness: A Seven Month Journey on the Appalachian Trail by Kenneth Wadness?

Yes, thank you. That is the book I am thinking of. It's what I call a "coffee table book," i.e., big with lots of photos.

[Tennessee Viking]

I would make sure you shower up before attending a service while on trail. Best time would be to attend while in town especially Damascus or at a hostel.

From what I remember, there are a small handful of churches within easy walking distance of the trail on the TN section. But mostly they are going to be a few miles from trailheads. There is Buck Mtn Baptist Church right next to the trail north of 19E. Bob Peoples at Kincora Hostel has invited hikers to Catholic mass in Elizabethton. Around the corner from Uncle Johnny's in Erwin.

There are a few churches in the south that still hold outside services at former church sites or cemeteries in the mountains.

[Trillium]

FedEx who thruhiked in 2007 attended church services almost every single weekend of his hike. Being Catholic he mostly attended Sat evening or Sunday mass but if no Catholic Church available in a particular town, he attended a service at a Christian church. You can check out his trail journal at TrailJournals.com

[Traveler]

To provide a different look at this, given the environment you'll be in, can you bring along some readings that can be used when you come across scenic areas or quiet places? I have always considered the forests a church of sorts, and this may provide the ability to feed the soul without either adding to miles or creating "hurry ups" to reach a specific town by a specific day/time.

[tim.hiker]

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Find a few other hikers and have a on the trail Church if you cant find a building.. I think a lot of hikers talks to God sometimes while on the trail..

[Another Kevin]

There's nothing that brings forth the trail magic like asking someone in town where they worship, and do they welcome travelers to service? People jump all over themselves to shuttle you, give you a place to get cleaned up, and otherwise squire you about.

Of course, it works better if you actually want to worship, and doubly better if you believe in paying it forward. What goes around comes around, and as it goes it grows.

[Another Kevin]

To provide a different look at this, given the environment you'll be in, can you bring along some readings that can be used when you come across scenic areas or quiet places? I have always considered the forests a church of sorts, and this may provide the ability to feed the soul without either adding to miles or creating "hurry ups" to reach a specific town by a specific day/time.

I have a Bible on my smartphone. They're readily available for free.

[Tipi Walter]

You'll be outside backpacking the Appalachian Trail. Meditate under a tree and you'll be in Church.

[BirdBrain]

I go to church regularly while off the trail. Romans 1:20 suffices for me on the trail. If you go to church while hiking, take 2 baths before you do. When my wife met me in Norwich last year, her 1st words were "you stink". I bath every day on the trail. I wash my clothes most days. It is not enough. It was not enough. When we stopped to fill the truck with gas, she demanded I bath right there at the gas pumps while she filled the truck. She had brought a cooler filled with hot (now cool) water, soap, wash cloth, and a towel. She had been through this before. She was ready this time. I obeyed... right there. Mind you, my wife loves me more than any other person on earth. She accepts me as I am more than any other person on earth. My stench was unreasonable even to her. Gratuitous story to drive home a point. Most that go to church don't stink like a thru. Yes, God accepts us as we are. Yes, they should too. Yes, you should do every thing you can not to offend those that won't understand. Church is not a hostel.