Charles I.D. Looff and The Fascinating History of Carousels

By Mary Dodge Allen

Many believe that the beautiful carousel he built in Griffith Park inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland. 

Karl Jurgen Detley Looff was born in 1852 in the Duchy of Holstein, part of the German Confederation. He began working as a wood carver as a teenager. In 1870, after turning 18, he emigrated to the United States. 

Charles I.D. Looff (Public Domain)

Looff changed his name by mistake after arriving in New York. A customs agent began filling out his identification papers and asked Looff to state his middle name. In the Low German language, the letter J resembles the English letter I. And in the confusion of the moment, Looff pointed to the initials “I.D.” on the official identification form (thinking it was J.D. for Jurgen Detley). His name became Charles I.D. Looff from then on. 

Looff settled in Brooklyn, New York and began working as a wood carver for a furniture company. As a sideline, he taught ballroom dancing part-time, which is how he met his future wife, Anna Dolle, who was also from Germany. 

At this time, vacationers and local residents were flocking to the south Brooklyn beaches, and investors and entrepreneurs were actively developing Brooklyn’s beachside properties. Looff saw an opportunity. He decided that a carousel - also called a merry-go-round - would be a perfect addition to the attractions at the Brooklyn beaches.

After working at the furniture factory all day, Looff began bringing wood scraps home to his apartment, where he worked long hours, carving and painting ornate wooden horses and animals. He worked at this for nearly four years, before he married Anna in 1874.

Drawing of Mrs. Vanderveer's Bathing Pavilion, Brooklyn Public Library Collection

Looff's First Carousel:

In 1875, Mrs. Lucy Vanderveer’s Bathing Pavilion was completed on Coney Island. It was an impressive building, with a spacious restaurant and flags flying from three ornate cupolas. Somehow, Looff convinced the Pavilion’s manager to allow him to assemble a carousel inside the Pavilion. 

Charles I.D. Looff's first carousel at Coney Island, (Public Domain)

Looff is in the center of the photo, with an arrow pointing to him

Working alone, Looff fastened his wooden menagerie of animals and horses onto a circular platform he personally designed. His first carousel, which began operating in 1876, became the first amusement ride on Coney Island. 

Looff opened his own factory in Brooklyn and continued building carousels. As business increased, he hired other expert carvers to help him. Looff’s carved horses were known for their decorative ornamentation, glass eyes and tails made of real horse hair. 

Looff's Carving Style Phases:

During his long career, Looff's carving style had three distinct phases. His early phase (1876-1888) produced horses with gentle expressions. 

During his second phase (1889-1900) his horse heads were elegant, and the manes intricately carved. 

In his last phase (1901-1918) his horses became more stylized and flamboyant.

The Looff Family Carousel Business:

Charles and Anna Looff had six children, three girls and three boys. All of them, except the eldest child, Anna, would eventually work with Charles in his carousel business. (Anna was tragically killed in a trolley car accident at age 21.)

Charles I.D. Looff and family, seated on the 1895 Crescent Park Carousel, taken circa 1905 

(Public Domain)

In 1886, Looff moved his family to Rhode Island, where he set up a new carousel manufacturing operation. He installed a carousel at Crescent Park in Riverside, RI, known as “the Coney Island of the East.”

Nine years later, in 1895, Looff replaced this carousel with a larger, more elaborate one, containing 61 horses, 1 camel, 2 single chariots, and 2 double chariots. The 1895 carousel is now owned by the city of East Providence, R.I. and has been fully restored. It is still operating in its original location. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Crescent Park Looff Carousel in operation, 2008 (Wikipedia)

Move to California:

In 1910, Looff left two of his grown children to manage the family business in Rhode Island. He moved the rest of his family to Long Beach, California because he had heard of opportunities to build amusement parks on the West Coast. 

Looff built carousels at various locations, including Ocean Park, Redondo Beach, Santa Cruz and Griffith Park in Los Angeles. The Griffith Park carousel remained in operation until 2020. It is believed that this beautiful carousel served as the inspiration for Walt Disney to build Disneyland. 

Griffith Park Looff Carousel, no longer in operation (Public Domain)

Looff’s youngest son, Arthur helped him design and build the Santa Cruz Carousel and Roller Coaster, along with the Looff Pleasure Pier in Santa Monica (now called the Santa Monica Pier). To access the Pier, people entered through the impressive Looff Hippodrome. The Looff carousel inside the Hippodrome was illuminated with 1,000 electric lights, a spectacular sight at the time. 

Charles I.D. Looff, his son Arthur, his wife Anna (Public Domain)

In all, Charles I.D. Looff and his family built 45 carousels between 1876 and 1916. Looff carousels were installed at amusement parks across the U.S.

Charles I.D. Looff died in July 1918, in Long Beach, at the age of 66. For many years after this, his children continued managing the family’s businesses in New England and California.

Fun and Fascinating Facts about Carousels, aka Merry-Go-Rounds:

The word carousel has been traced back to 12th century Italian horsemanship competitions, called carosellos (Italian for “little wars”). These competitions tested the skill of riders, as they handled horses while moving in a circle.

Carousels run clockwise in the United Kingdom and counter-clockwise in the United States.

Each carved carousel horse has an individual number, stamped on a brass circle on its left cheek.

There are two types of horses on a carousel: "Jumpers" go up and down; "Prancers" go back and forth.

Many carousels have a "Lead Horse" decorated fancier than the others. It helped the operator to keep track of how many times the carousel went around.

Photo of a Looff "Lead Horse" on a 1908 Carousel, still operating in Massachusetts

(an example of the last phase of his carving - Flamboyant style horse)

Riding Benches called "Chariots" were first made just before the turn of the 20th century, for ladies who did not want to ride side-saddle in their long skirts.

A Looff 1908 'Dragon' Chariot Riding Bench (Public Domain)

From 1885 to 1940, the standard price of a carousel ticket was five cents. What a bargain! Have you ever ridden on a carousel? Have you ridden on one recently?

____________________

Mary Dodge Allen is currently finishing her sequel to Hunt for a Hometown Killer. She's won a Christian Indie Award, an Angel Book Award, and two Royal Palm Literary Awards (Florida Writer's Association). She and her husband live in Central Florida. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith Hope and Love Christian Writers. 

Website: www.marydodgeallen.com

Recent release, anthology devotional: El Jireh, The God Who Provides

Mary's story, entitled: A Mother's Desperate Prayer, describes her struggle with guilt and despair after her young son is badly burned in a kitchen accident. When we are at the end of all we have, El Jireh provides what we need. 

Click the link below to purchase on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/El-Jireh-God-Who-Provides/dp/1963611608

Mary's novel: Hunt for a Hometown Killer won the 2022 Christian Indie Award, First Place - Mystery/Suspense; and the 2022 Angel Book Award - Mystery/Suspense.

Click the link below to buy Hunt for a Hometown Killer at Amazon.com:

Hunt For A Hometown Killer: A Novel: Allen, Mary Dodge: 9781952369704: Amazon.com: Books

Link to Mary's Spotlight Interview:   Mary Dodge Allen Author Spotlight EA Books

How the 1872 National Mining Apex Law Divided Friend and Foe

By Donna Wichelman

In a recent interview for a guest blog, a friend asked which historical parameters were imposed on the writing of my historical romance, A Song of Deliverance, and where I had to fill in the gaps with my imagination. Sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction, which, in the case of the Apex Law or what is also referred to as the "extralateral rights" law, one wonders how the national government could have passed such egregious legislation. To understand why the 1872 legislation was passed, we have to go back to the history of mining in nineteenth-century America.

The California Gold Rush did more to create western expansion across America than any other development. Once men heard about the discovery of gold, they literally "rushed" to the western territories, bringing on tens of thousands in mass migration and the demands for quicker and better transportation. People became crazed, lured by the possibility of making their fortunes. They came on steamships through Panama or around Cape Horn. Many joined wagon trains on the Overland Trail, while others built the Transcontinental Railway from New York to California.

Image by Denise Henze from Pixabay, AI Rendering of a Steam Engine on a Railroad

Image by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay

Some found their fortunes panning for gold along river banks. But soon, those resources dwindled, and hard rock mining, digging deep into the belly of the earth, began to take over the industry, giving rise to demands for technological advances such as the Burley Drill to better access the minerals underground, steam boilers to operate hoisting equipment down the shafts, and smelting furnaces to extract valuable metals from the ore and remove impurities. The Gilded Age was on in the West, as mine owners needed more laborers willing to work in difficult conditions.

Image by Erich Westendarp from Pixabay, AI Rendering of a Steam Boiler

Image by Vilius Kukanauskas from Pixabay Mine

As men migrated west, they soon discovered quantities of gold, silver, copper, and other metals could be found in Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and the Black Hills. The atmosphere was ripe for mining towns to spring up everywhere across the West as the demand for services increased--banks, food, clothes, and various other supplies necessary to survive. 

By 1872, the United States government recognized the need for regulation. Until that time, practices for open mining and prospecting on public land tended to be universal and supported by state and territorial regulation, but illegal under federal law. After the Civil War, eastern congressmen, looking for a way to pay the war debt, viewed western miners as squatters on public land and proposed the seizure of western mines to be put up for public auction. One congressman, Fernando Wood, advocated for the government to take ownership to benefit the treasury.

Image of Gold Nugget by Csaba Nagy from Pixabay

Western representatives argued that miners and prospectors promoted commerce and the settlement of new territories. A series of legislation was passed, including the "Chaffee laws" of July 26, 1866, named after Colorado Territorial representative Jerome B. Chaffee, that legalized hard rock mining on public land. Similar law was passed July 9,1870 for placer mining.

Then, on May 10, 1872, the General Mining Act of 1872 (much of which is still intact) codified the informal system of acquiring and protecting claims on federal public lands. All citizens eighteen and older have the right to locate a lode (hard rock) or placer (gravel) mining on federal lands where such land is open, which consists of 350 million acres of federal public land still today.

Mine Tailings  from the Terrible Mine Seen From I70 near Georgetown, Colorado: Donna's Gallery, June 2019

One piece of that legislation, however, became and still is a general headache for mine owners. In A Song of Deliverance, I based the feud between my hero, Stefan Maier, and the villain, Georg Töpfer, on a real feud in 1873 that took place between the Pelican Mine--owners Eli Streeter and Thomas and John McCunniff--and the Dives claim owned by John McMurdy, having purchased part interest from Thomas Burr and a deed from William Hamill. Unfortunately, the Pelican and Dives claims overlapped, and litigation ensued.

 353335889 | Silver Nugget © Niel Ibragimov | Dreamstime.com

At the forefront of the Pelican-Dives case was the apex law or “extralateral rights” one part of the 1872 National Mining Law. According to Christine Bradley in The Rise of the Silver Queen, “The right allowed the owners of a claim the exclusive right to mine a vein if the apex, or highest point, occurred within their property. The owner could follow the vein’s downward course beyond the property’s sidelines but not beyond the end lines unless [they] purchased the neighboring claims … In reality, such veins seldom existed in the mining world. Veins and ore pockets went everywhere and often surfaced in other claims.” 

Fierce feuding between the Pelican-Dives owners continued into the 1880s, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in litigation fees and one murder. Ultimately, Pelican and Dives merged into one company under William Hamill’s direction.

The extralateral rights law still exists today and continues to be a source of disputes among mine owners. Regulations under this law are complicated, and the courts have to sift through the various parts of the legislation to determine whose rights are being violated. Many miners contend the law is outdated and needs to be revisited. But will the federal government move on this question? Well, it is the federal government. So, anything can happen ... or not.

Weaving history and faith into stories of intrigue and redemption grew out of Donna's love of travel, history, and literature as a young adult while attending the United World College of the Atlantic--an international college in Wales, U.K. She enjoys developing plots that show how God's love abounds even in the profoundly difficult circumstances of our lives. Her stories reflect the hunger in all of us for love, belonging, and forgiveness.

Donna was a communications professional before writing full-time. Her short stories and articles have appeared in inspirational publications. She has two indie-published romantic suspense novels, Light Out of Darkness and Undaunted Valor, in her Waldensian Series. Her Gilded Age historical romance, A Song of Deliverance, released on December 3, 2024.

Donna and her husband of forty years participate in ministry at their local church in Colorado. They love spending time with their grandchildren and bike, kayak, and travel whenever possible.

Unearthing the Past at Fort Michilimackinac

The longest running archeology program in the United States resides at Fort Michilimackinac in northern Michigan. Digs started in 1959. The study continues each summer in fairer weather. To date, researchers excavated 65% of the original fort and structures and more than one million artifacts exist from these explorations.

One of the most fascinating components for me at this fort isn't the booming cannons or the demonstrations of the re-enactors, though both are exciting and informative. Rather, capturing my attention and imagination is the extensive archeology exhibit. For those of us who wonder "how" it not only answers, but prods further curiosity. Did you ever wonder how archeologists decide where structures exist and the composition of the subjects? The first interactive display at Michilimackinac shows a mock up of a current building. Pressing a button reveals what exists below. Take a gander.

This demonstration shows how archeologists recreate a site. If they unearth many glass fragments, they might envision windows. If they uncover pottery shards and pot fragments, they perhaps infer the location of a kitchen. Metal/iron parts could hint at a door. Studying where these physical findings rest gives an idea of the structure's segments, walls, doors, chimneys, and more.

The nature of archeology can be a messy business since scientists must dig and disassemble to discover and designate parts of the past. Because this venture is destructive to say the least, they toil in confined areas of 10-foot squares at a time. Maps, drawings, written records, and photographs aid in piecing together what once filled those spots. Exact locations are notated. In later years, computers aided and continue to give insight by employing programs that study patterns. 

In collecting items surrounding specific purposes, archeologists can surmise what types of occupations, domestic functions, and recreational activities subsisted for the colonial residents. Notice the artifacts below representing these four categories: structural, occupational, domestic, and recreational.

Since we've discussed what is under the fort. How about what or who was outside the fort? Who lived at this location before and after installation?

The Anishnaabeck, comprised of Ojibwa, Odawa, and Pottawatomi inhabited the area by 1650. Visitors can tour a model of their encampment to grasp an idea of daily life. The exhibit displays traditional housing sporting angled poles dressed in birchbark, reeds, or cedar. How did they live inside? The door flap of a blanket or other material served as entry and protection from wind. A central fire provided warmth and an area to cook during colder weather. At other times, cooking occurred outside. Men and women slept in separate areas. The area furthest from the door housed the elders.

The women removed the exterior of the dwelling for transport to the next camp at the change of seasons. For the Anishinabek, this method remained through a portion of the 19th century.I always wondered how Native Americans packed up and migrated. Perhaps each people group created the skeleton for the dwellings at subsequent locations using local resources and only transported the outer portions? Do you have any idea? Share in the comments below. 

What drew these nomads to seek this location? The Ojibwa and Odawa (also spelled Ottawa) in the north subsisted by hunting and fishing, both supported by the Great Lakes and its shores. The Pottawatomi of the south farmed corn, beans, and squash (though I did not find reference to the triad; The Three Sisters as termed by the Cherokee and Iroquois). The rivers of southern Michigan allowed for this agriculture. (Enlarged map at right from the display on a placard at the encampment.)

This fort lies near the tip of the lower peninsula resting along Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. In addition, the lakes lead to tributaries, rivers, and creeks, allowing the transportation of people and goods across the continent and beyond. The parcel of land and surrounding vicinity served as a hub of trade for many natives as well as Europeans, before, during and after the fort reigned. 

1715 arrived as Fort Michilimackinac’s walls multiplied, one post at a time. Constant Le Marchand de Lignery built the fort of wood, 360 feet by 380 feet. What you see today is a representation of the original structures. Can you find the guard patrolling the high walls in the photo above left with the flag? What a view they had from the bastions (towers), photo at left.

Incidentally, before this trip to Michigan I finished a novella by Pegg Thomas titled, Henri’s Regret: Forts of Refuge. It is the prequel to Selah Award Finalist, Maggie's Strength. In Henri's story, Frenchman Henri Geroux sets out on an adventure with his Ottawa friend. Danger ensues as he traverses land and water. While his travels did not include the site of this fort, the tale enhanced my overall experience at Michilimackinac. Reading earlier of navigating the water, entering a fort, and tidbits during their waking hours brought the fort to life for me that day. After our trip to Michigan, I read more exploits in and around forts in 2022 Selah Award Winning Sarah’s Choice also by Pegg Thomas. This story from 1763 featured three forts as well as three women who sought to survive amidst the peril. 

Speaking of reading, if you would like to learn about the history of Fort Michilimackinac, there are two detailed entries by Kathleen Rouser, links at the end. As you will learn in reading Kathleen’s, An Unburied Historical Treasure: Colonial Fort Michilimackinac, the British struggled to guard this tenuous location so they moved to Mackinac Island in 1781. There they had the upper hand at a higher elevation and land that was easier to defend surrounded by the lake. They did transfer original structures to the island. The remainder they burned. Below you will see a photo of Ste. Anne's (built by the French) at the original fort and the later constructed St. Ann's Church (built by the British) on the island. When we visited Mackinac Island, we walked past the church during mass. Peering up at the stained glass, we heard sweet voices in song floating out the door. That handle! Do you see the cross? Quite certain a blacksmith fashioned the device in earlier years. How I longed to step inside to view other features. Perhaps another visit one day.

That handle! Do you see the cross? Quite certain a blacksmith fashioned the device in earlier years. How I longed to pass through that door to view other treasures. Perhaps another visit is in order one day?

Next month we will sneak inside the fort walls of Michilimackinac. There is more to see in the Commander and Soldier Houses, the Barracks, and other buildings. Do you wonder how people lived before electricity, indoor plumbing, microwaves, and multitudes of appliances? Can you imagine managing Michigan winters without the benefit of HVAC systems?

If you have a hankering for more fort life before then, you will be excited to learn Pegg Thomas’ Her Redcoat is available now and transpires at Fort Michilimackinac! The heroine, Laurette Pettigrew is friends with the Ojibwe. 

Here are the four stories by Pegg Thomas mentioned in the post:

Henri's Regret, Maggie's Strength, Sarah's Choice, Her Redcoat.

Pegg has many more journeys available in her tales. When describing Pegg weaving a yarn, this statement winds twofold. She crafts compelling stories and creates with yarn from start to finish. Visit her website to peruse her books. Join her newsletter to be the first to hear of her adventures in both avenues. Watch videos as she shares the textile process step-by-step. From drafting and carding wool to combining colors, on to the spinning wheel, and designing the final product, Pegg opens a window to long ago processes and precious items made by hand.

For history surrounding Fort Michilimackinac, read these posts by Kathleen Rouser: An Unburied Historical Treasure: Colonial Fort Michilimackinac and The Siege of the Fort at Detroit (Please note, the Giveaway ended.)

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies 2GO, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 128 Plans, in 44 languages on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca lives near the mountains with her husband and a rescued dog named Ranger. She is a proud mom of an American soldier and a college senior. If it were up to Rebecca, she would be traveling - right now. First up, trips to see their two grown sons. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, she tackles the craft of fiction while learning from a host of generous writers. Connect with Rebecca: Facebook Goodreads Instagram PinterestX/Twitter

Table for Two, Please - Romance Through the Ages

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Photo By: Anh Nguyen
Pexels CC

Happy February, Everyone! This is the month of love and I've come prepared. With Valentine's Day approaching, the most common way to celebrate is with a romantic dinner for two at a nice restaurant. But was that always the romantic gesture it is today?

No. In fact, even the idea of romancing one's spouse is a relatively new one.

First, the idea of romance in marriage wasn't always a given. In many societies, marriage was more about political connections, wealth, or convenience than it was about love and romance. People needed a workmate, someone to help provide daily needs and partner together to raise a family. It wasn't until the 1700's that the idea of marrying for love rose to the forefront, and not until 1850 when love became a primary consideration. The Victorian era was truly a revolution on that front. But even during this era, Valentine's Day was a time of romantic cards, poems and even gifts, but not dinner at a restaurant.

In the 19th Century, dinner at a restaurant was something taboo and scandalous. Mostly because "French restaurants" with romantic dinners were synonymous with brothels at that time. Emily Post advised in 1923 that “It is not good form for an engaged couple to dine together in a restaurant, but it is all right for them to lunch, or have afternoon tea . . . They should take a chaperon if they motor to road-houses for meals.”

Most culinary historians agree that it was around the 1930's that taking a lady out to dinner became an acceptable way to celebrate. That's when restaurant ads and menus start to mention doing so. Culinary historian Charles Perry believes "The tradition probably arose during the Depression, when any meal out was a special occasion. Popular restaurants like Sardi's had some tables with curtains so that couples could choose to see and be seen or have an intimate meal while still enjoying the sounds of the orchestra."

Couple Dining circa 1910
Art by Lester Ralph

At some restaurants, the heavy curtains and low light in private dining areas still lent themselves to questionable conduct. Especially if the restaurant also had a back entrance where people could enter and exit discreetly, making secret affairs easier to execute.

However, by the 1960's, it seems to have become common for husbands to take their wives to dinner in order to give them a respite from their homemaking duties. And what is more romantic than that?

Today, while our gender roles are less strict than they were in the 1960's, dining out still seems to be the way to go. However, for many, the idea is less about the restaurant itself as it is a return to the place where they first met, kissed or had a realization that they wanted to marry their date. It may not be the fancy place, or expensive place. Indeed, their friends might not understand why they spend the holiday of love in such modest surroundings. Maybe they choose to explain why...or maybe they don't. After all, shared secrets are a thing of romance too.

Do you like to dine out with your partner on Valentine's Day? What makes the day special for you and your significant other? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

*****

Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award for historical fiction, Amber Lemus inspires hearts through enthralling tales. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a boy mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at http://www.amberlemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Unexpected Legacies: Tychicus, The Emissary

Matthew J. Elliott

Image rendition of Paul and Tychicus

One topic I am more well known for with the biblical fiction stories I have been writing lately is that I love using side characters to define my stories. When I wrote Finding Philemon in 2023, my protagonist was his slave, Onesimus. When I wrote The Cyprus Journal last year, the dual protagonists were John Mark and Barnabas. The antagonist in this story is Elymas, a character that is hardly even mentioned in scripture. Then, at Christmas, I released the first part of my newest series, The Ephesus Pages, which gives voices to more than just a few people from scripture. The reason I do this is because I am curious about well, almost everything. At least, by connecting the stories we read about in scripture. 

Tychicus is another relatively unknown figure in the Bible. Scripture only gives us five direct mentions of Tychicus to help us understand his encouraging story. While this is not much, it is enough to piece together a person who is worth learning about. His legacy may not be as easy to see as someone like Luke or Silas, but we can learn a lot about who he was. There is much more to his story than I honestly knew before I began reading about him. Learning about him in the stories in The World of Kedoshim and even for this article you are reading today has been enlightening. 

It is important to understand why I consider Tychicus an emissary because it reveals the character of a man whom biblical history overlooks. When we read about him in scripture today, we miss the deeper story. In early Christianity, emissaries were key figures in spreading the message of their faith. They traveled a lot and bore witness to the faith they believed in through their actions and words. It wasn’t always Paul and Peter preaching the gospel message. Someone had to continue the work people like them left behind and ensure that people understood what was being taught. An emissary did just that. They mattered and made a difference. Their dedication and perseverance in spreading the Gospel inspired others to join the movement.

The Ichthys symbol for communication with believers

Tychicus was an emissary, and a trusted companion to the Apostle Paul, who played a crucial role in furthering the mission of the Early Church. Paul entrusted him alone (Col. 4) with the responsibility of returning Onesimus to Philemon (Book of Philemon). When Paul needed certain “fellow workers” to come to him for whatever reason; Tychicus was sent to lead the ministry those individuals would have to leave behind to do so. Timothy and John Mark (2nd Tim 4) are good examples of this. After Paul wrote specific letters that needed to be delivered to the churches, he would send Tychicus to deliver them. Tychicus was even educated enough to serve as a scribe when others were not around to do so. 

The early Church knew Tychicus because of his missionary travels with Paul. However, his connections to other important leaders of this time gave him more of a role in history as well. 2 Corinthians may even tell us that the church asked Tychicus, and others, to deliver financial gifts to Jerusalem. Paul often called him a ‘beloved brother’ and ‘fellow servant’ in the Lord’s work. Tychicus not only gave Paul’s messages to the churches, he also shepherded them, answering their questions and concerns. He couldn’t have done that without a thorough understanding of Paul’s ministry and its goals.

AI Image of Ancient Scroll

The legacy I see in Tychicus was driven by dedication and adaptability. How many of us can honestly say we handle daily stuff easily or are as dedicated to our work as Tychicus was? His relentless devotion to his role in the Early Church is something worth taking another look at. Amid the constant struggles of their time, Tychicus and Paul endured a great deal of things that could have pulled them away from the mission they were called to. We do not see this in the same way today. There are distractions everywhere and we can get lost in them. I know this happens to me. 

Before modern communication, Tychicus faithfully and accurately spread his message despite significant challenges in each city. Connecting and informing diverse Christian groups demanded much dedication. It was never a simple task to complete, but Tychicus did it faithfully. There is something to that. So, that is why Tychicus gets a slot in the Unexpected Legacies I share with those of you who read these articles. What can we learn from his example? I say we can learn a lot, and not in that horrible guilt-filled way, but as a means of encouragement. What about you?

 ~ Biography ~

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is a passionate writer who loves to encourage and inspire others. He has served in various ministry roles for over 15 years, which has given him a unique perspective on people and Biblical History. Matthew holds a degree in Biblical Studies from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with a focus on Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is happily married to Traci, and they have three children named Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. As a writer, Matthew's goal is to share love, equip others, and edify them for the greater good. He loves connecting any amount of scripture to his stories and uses his knowledge of Biblical History to do so often.

You can find Matthew's works on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, and His Website. He has written Devotionals, An Episodic Series, Novellas, and even Commentaries for The Gospel Daily.

~ Highlighted Release ~

The Ephesus Pages: A Journey Begins: (Part 1; Episodes 1-10) is available now for $1.99. Grab it while you can.

One Man. His Continued Journey. Working to Build the Early Church. 

Part One; A Journey Begins

John Mark carries the weight of his past on his shoulders, and there is one person he has never reconciled with. In an epic story surrounding the city of Ephesus, and the ministry of Paul during his three-year ministry there, life as we know it will change. Join John Mark as he embarks on a new journey seeking reconciliation. As he leaves all that he knows behind on the shores of Cyprus, John Mark will begin a new three-part journey that will test his faith, build him up, and reveal much about his past.