Hadley Twp. – In 1858, Minnesota was admitted as the 32nd state in the union, Forty-Niners streamed into the Rocky Mountains of the western United States, and a small congregation at Christ Lutheran Church met for the first time.
Now, 150 years later, the oldest church in Lapeer County is ready to celebrate. On Aug. 17, District President C. William Hoesmann will preach the morning sermon at 10 a.m. Pastor Kevin Koester will preach at 4 p.m. Hoesmann grew up at the church and is currently a pastor in Missouri. He attended Christ Lutheran Church for many years while living in Michigan.
In 1858, a number of Lutheran families came from Roseville and settled in the Hadley Hills. The first meetings were in homes and in 1861 a formal congregation was created. In 1864, the first log church was built just south of the church’s current location. A new church was dedicated in 1887, and the original log church was torn down to build a new one in its place.
In 1996, the entire church was completely remodeled and members of the congregation did most of the work under the supervision of a local contractor. The congregation celebrated the 120th anniversary of the actual church building in 2007.
‘It has been a peaceful life,? said Ruth Smith, 94, a lifelong member of the church. ‘I was baptized, confirmed and married at Christ Lutheran.?
She said she remembers going to a fellow church member’s house for festivals. ‘Oh, that was back around the 1940s,? she said. ‘We would go to the Nicklas? house in the woods. Ice cream cones, candy, Cracker-jacks, gum and pop were all 5 cents. I would go home with a tummyache.?
The idea of changing churches never occurred to Smith. ‘Wherever your family and friends are, there is no other place to go,? she said. ‘When it came to Sunday, we went to church. It was our lifestyle. My dad said when I was born, he bought a Model T Ford. The roads weren’t as good back then, so when they were good, we would all jump in the car and go to church.?
Smith said staying busy at the church has been good for her.
‘I don’t feel like I am 94-years-old,? she said. ‘Maybe I should have been worn out a long time ago, but I keep at it. If you don’t use it, you lose it; so I do lots of things.?
She has sketched numerous pictures of her church and made church banners for state conventions when she represents the church. Additionally, Smith is a representative of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Flint zone, a watercolor artist, an avid quilter, a member of the Red Hats Society and involved in a variety of outdoor activities.
Lifetime member Sharon Rhein said to honor the church’s 150th anniversary, she is writing a book that will include a history of the church entitled ‘Christ Lutheran Church History – 1858-2008. Also in recognition of the church’s anniversary, the church historical society will be selling gold sesquicentennial Christmas bulbs for $5 at the event.
Christ Lutheran Church’s current pastor is Kelly Todd, 51. He lives in Hadley with his family and has been a pastor since 1999. He has been preaching at Christ Lutheran Church for the past three years.
‘When I left my previous church three years ago, they celebrated a 30-year anniversary. To come here and celebrate 150 years as a congregation, seems unreal,? said Todd.