As I look at the church I try to imagine how it was in the early days, and how time changes things. These are some of the changes that came about over time.
As you pull up in front of the church on the dirt road in our horse drawn carriage or wagon you might use the built in steps (stone) that are part of the stone wall. After the people were dropped off the driver put the horses and wagon in the long shed, which was where the C E building is located now.
As you enter the church, the sexton would have the wood burning stove doing, gas lights or candles (depending what year). There were wide wood plank floor, no rugs, no cushions on the bench (pews) seats. There were wood door s on each pew at one time, if you notice there are still two on each aisle on two pews near the pulpit. Today: oil furnace, electricity, rugs all around, cushions on the pews, electric organ – now a pipe organ.
Speaking of the organ, where the organ pipes are located was a walk between the two balconies, also used by the choir with mirror, coat rail, plus a pull down stairs to the attic. The memorial side door with the plaque on it, was put there for easy in and out for a casket – it was a window before it was a door. The addition in 1997 put the C.E. building and church together.
The church does not stand alone anymore. Iron railings on the front steps with a ramp on the east side, sound system with speakers hanging from the balconies, wood shingles (roof) replaced with asphalt, air-condition compressor outside in the back with the air exchanger units in the attic with vents in the ceiling.
But as I sat there during the Christmas Eve service with the candles lit and the lights off my thoughts went back in time and how it was early on with the candles flickering and the smell of the wood burning in the stoves. How simple life was, but I guess you worked hard during those times, plus families were together more working on the farms.
Well, whose turn is it to hitch the horses to the wagon next Sunday to that little old white church built with the help of the people of the church 1839 – dedicated in 1840.
Dick Hunter, Church Historian