Photos courtesy of the Bryant family

Front: Michaels Helms, Jr, Destany Perdue, Anna Helms. Not pictured: Hunter Purcell, Jody Jones, Pastor Cliff Hall, Pastor Danny Holdren. Back row: Polly Perdue, Jimmy Perdue, Michael Helms, Jr. Mickey Helms, Glenda Helms, Amber Skipper.

The James River was scene for a recent Cowboy Church baptism.

"As I went down in the river to pray, Studying about that good old way, And who shall wear the starry crown, Good Lord, show me the way!" Those are lyrics from the Allison Krauss song "Down to the River to Pray" from the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou." And that scene replayed on Aug. 2 in the James River. The Valley Cowboy Church of Glasgow in Rockbridge County came to Botetourt County to hold a river baptism.

Cowboy churches are nondenominational churches originally started for rodeo folk. Now they have spread across the country. A cowboy church is more casual and according to the brochure, in a people friendly setting. The Glasgow church is located at 629 McCullough Street. It meets on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. with a chuck wagon meal at 6 p.m. Several of those baptized are from Botetourt County. They are Michael Jr., Micky, Michael Sr, Anna and Glenda Helms of Buchanan.

Pastor Hunter Purcell of Richmond met the group at Rocky Point north of Buchanan near Alpine Farm. Pastor Cliff Hall from Valley Cowboy Church and Pastor Danny Holdren of Liberty Cowboy church were in attendance. The baptismal candidates wore shorts and T-shirts and were baptized like in the days of old -- in a river submersion. Afterward all of the newly baptized members posed for a picture.

-- Cathy Benson