Our Savior’s Lutheran Church near Henry, SD is closing its doors and would like to sell or donate the building (to be moved) to any interested church or individuals who can use it for religious purposes. They would also be open to seeing the inside furnishings go to continuing use somewhere. The altar, pulpit, and communion rail are a matched set from the 1930′s that came from Iowa craftsman.
This is the church I went to when I was growing up. On the left side, front pew is where the alto's sat for the choir. There were two of us, we were loud, thats all we needed :) Ramona was an adult woman & I was just a kid. She sang loud, she sang into my ear and it came outta my mouth. This is where I learned harmony, parts, how it all fit together with goosebumps when you did it right. There was a balcony, the choir didn't use it much, but the organ was up there. I loved that space. My best friend Becky's mom directed the music at the church. My mom was a soprano in this same choir.
Even back then, the attendance was low. They are closeing this church now. It was a very special little place out in the country in the town where I grew up. I hate to see it not there anymore, but then again, I don't live there, I'm just another one that moved away. All that will be is the cemetary now that was just outside of the back of the church. I will always forever remember this as the place that I actualy "got it". Like an enlightning gift. I could sing on key. I knew the parts, I was loud enough to cover a section if the other alto was not there, thats when I knew...I'm supposed to sing.
Looking at this picture a sadness comes to me. My childhood, my emotions time spent when I'd have rather been sleepin in. Im so glad I went when I did. These memories are precious to me now. Thank you mom... for shareing this with me.
I so completely love that this church had been built, loved and will live on through you all.
ReplyDeleteMy church closed a few years ago. St. Johns by the sea. We went there every sunday. It was episcopal. I sang in the choir too. I could sing back then. My dad was a tenor and sang in the choir or just in the audience. Everyone knew when he was NOT in church. lol. It was very sad to see a piece of our past disappear, and yes for lack of participation. Would have loved to hear your church voice. :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up in a very similar country Church, Linden Lutheran which closed its doors last year. I had many found memories as a child listening to the sermons, sitting with my grandparents, playing hide and seek in the cemetery during family nights, the smaller Sunday School classes. While nobody would admit it, there was really assigned seating -- everyone had their family pew, and it was always awkward when visitors showed up and didn't sit in the 'right' place. These smaller, country churches really did help us 'get it' in a wonderful way. It would be wonderful to have heard you lead their singing...
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