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Located in Glendale
Springs, Holy Trinity Church features the famous frescoes of
Ben Long (Fresco of
the Lord’s Supper) and Jeffrey Mims (Fresco of Christ’s Departure) and other
assorted artworks. St. Mary’s Church in nearby
West Jefferson also features
Long’s Frescoes of the Mystery of Faith, Mary Great With Child, and John the
Baptist.
Fresco painting is an art form based on the immediate application of pigment to
wet plaster. It is an ancient art form, with many outstanding examples still
existing in European churches. The work in Glendale Springs and West Jefferson
was completed 1970-80 by Ben Long and his students. The marvelous luminous
beauty of the frescoes attracts approximately 80,000 visitors annually from
around the world to St. Mary’s and Holy Trinity.
Website:
Ben Long
Location: Glendale Springs and
West Jefferson, NC
Distance: 2 hours from Asheville
Address: Holy Trinity Church, 195 J.W. Luke Rd., Glendale Springs, NC 28629
Telephone: 336-982-3076
Address: St. Mary’s Church, 400 Beaver Creek School Rd., West Jefferson, NC
28694
Telephone: 336-246-3552
Hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round.
Fees: None
Allow: ½ to 1 hour each church
Directions: From Asheville, take I-40 East to Hickory. Take Exit 131 to NC 16
North to Wilkesboro. Take 421 North towards Watauga. Turn left onto NC 16 North
again to Glendale Springs and Holy Trinity Church. From Glendale Springs take NC
16 North to NC 221. Turn left onto NC 221 to West Jefferson and St. Mary’s
Church.
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