It is heartwarming to realize that our church has been a place of worship for 175 years. We still have many members who remember worship in the white church which burned on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950. Following the fire, our red brick church was built. Many of us have memories of that church and the role it has played in our lives. Many baptisms, catechisms, weddings, funerals, meals, music, and worship play in our minds as we remember that structure.

​

If you have a moment of quiet, can’t you almost hear the church bell ringing on Sunday morning? The years passed, and we are now planning the celebration of 175 years of Salem Church. The Committee planning the event has decided to have our Homecoming and this celebration together on one joyous day. Many hours of conversation have been spent discussing how best to make this a day to remember.

​

We first asked our Bishop, Dan Selbo, to come from Dallas, Texas. He has agreed, and he will be delivering our sermon that morning. We want each person in attendance to be recorded in two ways. We will have a register in the Narthex for everyone to sign. We also will have photos taken throughout the day.

​

For this celebration, we feel we must look back to our history and also look forward to our future. In looking back, we find that Mrs. James Kepley sang the Lord’s Prayer at the 100th Anniversary of Salem. The Kepley name has been prominent in the music of Salem throughout the years. We have asked Mrs. Kepley’s son, Jimmy Kepley, to sing the Prayer accompanied by her grandson, Brandon Kepley. Our organist, Brandon Kepley, is composing music to help celebrate this special occasion.

It is unfortunate that we have no pictures from the 150th anniversary or any of the previous anniversaries. We hope to have a photographer to document each person in attendance and the events of our celebration.

​

In January 1979, the beautiful red brick church was totally destroyed in the second fire of Salem’s churches. The loss was devastating, and only a very few items were salvaged, including the baptismal font and the church bell. When the current church was built, a time capsule was hidden behind the cornerstone. That was in 1980, so the time capsule has been there hiding for 45 years. A second time capsule was buried near the Bell Tower, but it never had a marker to show its location. We want to open both time capsules for our Homecoming/175th Anniversary. The frustration is that, to date, no one has been able to locate the second time capsule. We have people who have used a metal detector and a probe. We will not give up. We are determined to find it. The discoveries inside will be on display for the celebration.

​

In looking forward, we acknowledge that burial customs are changing. Many people now choose cremation rather than burial. There is a need for those people to have the opportunity to have their cremains on holy ground. This is the reason for the new granite monument to be placed in Mrs. Edith Cauble’s Garden. Ashes can be spread in the scatter garden, and the person’s name, date of birth, and date of death can be engraved in the granite. This monument is given by the 2025 Congregation, and it will be dedicated after our church service. Pastor Ernie Sheldon will lead the congregation to the site for the dedication, and Bishop Dan Selbo will offer a special prayer.

 

Then we all will proceed to the picnic shelter. We ask that all bring food for a wonderful Homecoming and Anniversary meal. We have been collecting names and addresses of former members and others who might attend. If you have anyone you would like to receive an invitation, please give me their name and address. We hope to have lots of visitors.

​

As you read this, you likely have some connection to Salem. It is our wish that this celebration will be meaningful for you and that it will invoke some special memory of your relationship with God and Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. As you walk into church on August 17, listen carefully. You might just remember the sound of the bell from the red brick church ringing.

​

Submitted by,

Susan Goodman Sides
Chair, 175th Anniversary Committee