Ekeby and Boxholm

Today is Sunday and we drove from Gothenburg to Ekeby (about 3 hours at 110km/hr and nice 4 lane highway). We met Kerstin and Inge and their son Stefan at the Ekeby church. This is where I have family from my Mother's side (Darlene).

There were a few houses near by but this is not a town. The church is in the middle of the countryside. The house next to the church has the family name on the gate; Eklunda -what a coincidence.

The grave sites surround the church-some stones date back to the 1400s. The words are even written in an older Swedish dialect.

Inside the church are many icons/shields, and relics dating back as far as 1100ad. This is Roxanne and Stefan standing in middle of church looking toward back of church. A huge organ is on second floor.

Front of church. There are still services on Sundays, some music programs and weddings.

Here is the group in front of church. These are just a few of the church pictures -we took so many photos here- when we get home we will assemble a photo journal online with more details and history about the church. Kerstin had brought a picnic lunch, so we ate and drank coffee in the church. It was raining parts of the day, but we still got plenty of photos.

This is the birch tree planted by uncle Harold about 15 years ago when Darlene and Verne and Harold and Audrey all visited this area with the Stark families from Boxholm, Iowa . More to come about Boxholm and the area.