ANGEL OF LIGHT

The York Bible School opened around 1944 and was meant to be used as a religious institution that would also teach people a trade that would better their lives. Sgt. York used money from the movie about his life to fund the construction of the school and made regular visits until his failing health caused him to stay away. Classes stayed in session until York’s death in 1964, after that it was abandoned and sold to the State of Tennessee in 1974.

Along with the school, York’s wife sold the home site and helped form the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Park. The Bible School remained abandoned even under state ownership, becoming rundown over the years until the Covid Pandemic happened and visitor numbers increased. This allowed the park to apply for grants to help redo the Bible School.

This shot was taken just before renovations started and it had a certain vibe to it, with the light coming through the window it lit the room which worked perfectly with my vision.

-Burke