Our Church Life
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Larry Myland celebrates 45 years as our church organist!!! June 13, 1976 - June 13, 2021
Speech about Larry given after worship, June 13, 21. By Julie Pixley |
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January 2020, the church was able to purchase the house and property immediately south of the Memorial Garden. Extensive work is currently being done on the inside, lower portion of the house, as well as all the yard! There are still discussions going on about what purpose and function the house will be used.
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FUN FACTS
April 1865 ~ When the ladies of the church heard that Abraham Lincoln had been shot and killed, they stayed up all night working on a flag they had already started, so that they could fly it at half-staff the next day and throughout the period of mourning. Because of the very delicate condition of the flag today, we can no longer bring it out for show. It is housed with other historical items at InfoSafe in Richland. See picture below! The original ceiling plaster of the church was made from horse hair and crushed stone. We know this because a big chunk of it fell through the hanging ceiling in Mark Jennings first office, and landed on his desk! The pew cushions in the sanctuary were originally filled with horse hair. When the church had the cushions updated, they kept some of the horse hair in each cushion. In 2017, Peter Alman, reupholstered the pews, and yes, he did leave the horse hair inside. |
Civil War Flag, in honor of President Abraham Lincoln,
made by these Richland women...
Helen Barrett, Martha Cook Cummings, Adell Parker Gilkey, Elmira Buell Jewitt,
Ziedra Woodard Logan, Auguste Nevins Whitney, and Mary Upjohn Sidnem. This extraordinary piece of history is 9' x 14'.
Ziedra Woodard Logan, Auguste Nevins Whitney, and Mary Upjohn Sidnem. This extraordinary piece of history is 9' x 14'.
“PATRIOTIC RICHLAND WOMEN PAY TRIBUTE TO ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
NEW FLAG FLIES AT HALF STAFF DURING PERIOD OF MOURNING”
April 15th marks the anniversary of the death of President Abraham Lincoln. Before that fateful event, seven Richland women and members of our Presbyterian Church were already at work on a new American flag that would honor the restoration of the Union as the War Between the States slowly came to a close.
On Good Friday, April 15, 1865, President Lincoln was assassinated during a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. and as word spread across the country, the seven ladies decided to work through the night to finish their task so that the new flag could be flown during the national period of mourning. Excerpt from, "Richland: From it's Prairie Beginnings".
Our Civil War flag is a fragile and rare artifact that has survived for over 150 years. Due to its deteriorating condition, it can no longer be displayed. Count the stars!
Mark Jennings celebrating 25 years of ministering to the First Presbyterian Church in Richland. (2014)
Lois Martin, our longest living member! As of 2016, 68 years!!
From worship service, June 5, 2016
"I want to take just a few moments to recognize someone very special in our congregation. I know next week is actually recognition Sunday, but since the choir isn’t singing next week, we didn’t know if she’d be here. Lois Martin, will you stand with me? We’re recognizing Lois as being a member, longer than any other. Lois Annabelle Martin was born at Bronson Hospital in 1929. She’s been part of this church since she was 3 years old. At that time, the Upjohn Company bought several farms off Gull Road, and Lois’ father, Clad, was selected to farm one of them, which put the family closer to us, and was when they began attending. Lois’ mother, Lila, was the church organist for 30 years, and if I’m not mistaken, started with that Reed pump organ that now sits in the balcony. Lois has served three terms as Deacon—1952, 1970, 1974. She’s been sharing her love of music, and singing with the soprano’s at this church, since she was 13. That’s 74 years of singing! Lois officially became a member after high school, on March 21, 1948. Just as a tidbit of information, Lois is #82 in our church register — out of over 3500! In great appreciation and recognition of our friend and sister in Christ, Lois Martin, who has been, and continues to be, a faithful, loyal, loving, and endearing member of this congregation for 68 years, and counting, please share in a round of applause." Julie Pixley |