Scherer Memorial Lutheran Church sad to see old limestone building go
[2008-12-23 17:03:34]
Scherer Memorial Lutheran Church sad to see old limestone building go
By APRIL MIDDLETON
Salina Journal
CHAPMAN -- The most important events in JoAnn (Hyder) Felzien'slife have happened in the 119-year-old limestone Scherer MemorialLutheran Church.
Felzien was married in the church. Her children were baptized andconfirmed there.
"This church means everything to us," said Felzien, who now livesin Kansas City, Mo. "It's sad it won't be here anymore."
Felzien and her family were among more than 50 people who attendeda service of disposition outside of the church Sunday afternoon.
Like many buildings in Chapman, the church suffered extensivedamage in the June 11 tornado. Demolition of the church could beginas soon as today.
The church will rebuild on the same site. Until it is complete, thecongregation will continue to meet on Sunday mornings at theChapman Senior Center.
Sunday's ceremony was intended to celebrate the many moments thathave occurred in the church and help the congregation say goodbyeto the building and make the transition easier, parish minister AmyTruhe said.
A time capsule from one of the building's cornerstones also wasopened during the service.
Truhe pulled from the small box several newspapers from 1989, 1910and 1924. Also inside was a small, molded bible and a church bookfrom 1910.
During the service, Truhe reminded the congregation that a buildingdoesn't make a church.
"We are the church," she said.
Kristine Meyer, of Chapman, said losing the building has been toughon the congregation.
"Spiritually, it is like we are untethered," she said. "The churchwas our foundation. It's hard to put into words, but there are somany memories and happy moments associated with the building."
Meyer, who was confirmed in the church building in 1976, said thesanctuary of the church was one of two places that she felt mostconnected to God.
The other place was her backyard.
"The tornado wrecked havoc on both of those places," she said. "Iknow God is everywhere, but there are places that are moreconducive to connecting to Him. It's been tough."
Felzien, who shed more than a few tears during the service, saidthe demolition of the building is "bittersweet."
"I wouldn't want to see it stay the way it is right now," she said.
She and her family were in Chapman for her father's 95th birthdayjust two days before the tornado devastated the town and thechurch.
"We didn't know it then, but we were all really blessed to havebeen to the church that day," Felzien said. "That's the way we willalways remember the building."
nReporter April Middleton can be reached at 822-1409 or by e-mailat amiddleton@salina.com.
http://www.saljournal.com/news/story/chapmanchurch110208 [2008-11-4]
Tag : limestoneBy APRIL MIDDLETON
Salina Journal
CHAPMAN -- The most important events in JoAnn (Hyder) Felzien'slife have happened in the 119-year-old limestone Scherer MemorialLutheran Church.
Felzien was married in the church. Her children were baptized andconfirmed there.
"This church means everything to us," said Felzien, who now livesin Kansas City, Mo. "It's sad it won't be here anymore."
Felzien and her family were among more than 50 people who attendeda service of disposition outside of the church Sunday afternoon.
Like many buildings in Chapman, the church suffered extensivedamage in the June 11 tornado. Demolition of the church could beginas soon as today.
The church will rebuild on the same site. Until it is complete, thecongregation will continue to meet on Sunday mornings at theChapman Senior Center.
Sunday's ceremony was intended to celebrate the many moments thathave occurred in the church and help the congregation say goodbyeto the building and make the transition easier, parish minister AmyTruhe said.
A time capsule from one of the building's cornerstones also wasopened during the service.
Truhe pulled from the small box several newspapers from 1989, 1910and 1924. Also inside was a small, molded bible and a church bookfrom 1910.
During the service, Truhe reminded the congregation that a buildingdoesn't make a church.
"We are the church," she said.
Kristine Meyer, of Chapman, said losing the building has been toughon the congregation.
"Spiritually, it is like we are untethered," she said. "The churchwas our foundation. It's hard to put into words, but there are somany memories and happy moments associated with the building."
Meyer, who was confirmed in the church building in 1976, said thesanctuary of the church was one of two places that she felt mostconnected to God.
The other place was her backyard.
"The tornado wrecked havoc on both of those places," she said. "Iknow God is everywhere, but there are places that are moreconducive to connecting to Him. It's been tough."
Felzien, who shed more than a few tears during the service, saidthe demolition of the building is "bittersweet."
"I wouldn't want to see it stay the way it is right now," she said.
She and her family were in Chapman for her father's 95th birthdayjust two days before the tornado devastated the town and thechurch.
"We didn't know it then, but we were all really blessed to havebeen to the church that day," Felzien said. "That's the way we willalways remember the building."
nReporter April Middleton can be reached at 822-1409 or by e-mailat amiddleton@salina.com.
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