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photo Myra Hogan
Pilgrim George writes book
1,500 mile journey included stops in Carter County
Feb. 3, 2010 — He traveled six states and 1,500 miles – and he did it for the Lord.
George Florian Walters, known to most as Pilgrim George, has completed his 2009 May through August pilgrimage from Pennsylvania to Alabama. Walters recently sent word to the Journal-Times about his return home to Pennsylvania and release of his book.
The humble 69-year-old resembles Moses and certainly dresses like the prophet.
Walters is a man of God who sports a long patchwork robe made of white denim and sandals made of tire tread, held together by bolts and wire.
During his journey, Walters was spotted one day this past summer trekking alongside U.S. 60 on his way to Grayson.
While reluctant to accept a ride, the sweltering heat urged him into the car with a Journal-Times reporter.
“There is the body of the church, and I am the feet,” he commented while standing alongside U.S. 60. “I am here to lift up Jesus. Those who must leave their family for the sake of the kingdom will get a larger family, the body of believers. My family is the family of God.”
Held tightly in his hand, was a uniquely carved staff that Walters said derived at Mount Carmel in Israel.
“This staff has been placed on all holy places such as Nazareth, Bethlehem and Calvary,” he described while holding the strong rod with a utilitarian purpose.
Clell Lucas, pastor of Princess Chapel Church in Rush, also made acquaintance with Walters and was glad to hear the man of God had completed the journey.
His travels began May 4 in Butler, Pa. By May 24, Walters had reached Pt. Pleasant, W. Va. while walking 120 of the 255 miles.
“My food was provided on this stretch in several marvelous ways,” he recalled. “One Tuesday a woman stopped her car and handed me a heavy sack of food and water. The next day an elderly gentleman in a beat-up-truck handed me two ham sandwiches and a carton of milk and said, ‘We don’t have much be we want to share it with you’.”
As the days went by, Walters was welcomed into town after town, as folks provided him food, shelter and even a car ride every now and then.
His journey took him all the way to Hanceville, Ala. and back to Uniontown, Pa. Walters has since written a book about his pilgrimage, including his stops in Carter County. There are only 175 copies of “Our Lady of the Angels.” Lucas received one and bought two autographed transcripts for the Journal-Times employees.
Included in the appendix of the books are letters from people who got the chance to meet Walters during his three-month expedition. One letter reads, “George, there is something about you. It’s been well over a month that I met you and I think about you every day. I was just wondering if you made it home? I will be honest with you. I have never really been into the whole God thing. Not saying I don’t believe in God, but I just live in all the wrong ways. And to tell the truth, I had never thought about changing the way I live until I met you. We didn’t really even talk that much. You just told me a little about yourself. But for some reason, in the days after, I just kept thinking about how short life is and some day I will have to answer for the things I have done and how I lived. But anyway, if you’re walking to make people take notice, you sure did get me to stop and take a look at myself. Thanks and good luck.
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