Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill

Before our concert at Shakertown Baptist Church, we spent 2 hours visiting nearby Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill. At its peak, Pleasant Hill was one of the largest Shaker communities with more than 500 Shakers. (for more information about Shakertown, visit http://www.shakervillageky.org). What makes this Shaker Village (formerly known as Shakertown) so special for our group is because this was Dan Kong's (Danette's Dad) first church. By the time Pastor Dan was the paster, holding service in the former Shaker Meeting House, Shakertown had closed and the Meeting House was owned by a local farmer. Upon his death, his widow purchased the property and gave it to the Shakertown Baptist Church. In 1961, when a group of concerned citizen began restoring the village, the National Park Service purchased property and built the current Shakertown Baptist Church.


[group photo with Georgie; Phillip singing one of the Shaker songs]

We took a tour of the Meeting House, guided by Georgia, a volunteer at Shaker Village. The workmanship of the building and the acoustics in the Meeting House was amazing. We could all just imagine the resonant voice of Dan filling the room. We also heard the wonderful voice of Phillip, who introduced us to Shaker music in the Meeting Hall. Phillip is also a volunteer - who's an accounting in his real life.


[How Great Thou Art; Riverson & Danette on the steps of the Meeting House]

After the presentations, we did an impromptu song and dance of How Great Thou Art, in honor of Dan's great ministry. It was a very moving moment - to be walking where Dan walked.