tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post590752573752916045..comments2023-12-20T13:23:29.408-05:00Comments on Some disagree with Mom: Christ Church, Warren, OH, 30 March 2014PseudoPiskiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12070541512355253553noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7639432231862874217.post-7015922914963405812014-03-31T13:44:07.913-04:002014-03-31T13:44:07.913-04:00Shelley, that was my church when I was in Warren. ...Shelley, that was my church when I was in Warren. The original Christ Church was across the street from St. Mary's Catholic on High Street in downtown Warren. <br />The congregation had a pledge drive beginning in the late forties/early fifties. They raised ALL the money for the church before one brick was laid or hole dug!!<br />They never had a mortgage! Hope they still don't, but who knows, times and ways have changed.<br />My father sang in the choir. Originally we went to the Methodist church downtown but my dad was 'recruited' to sing in the Christ Church choir, so after a while my mother thought it stupid that the 4 of us went to the Methodist church and my dad to the Episcopal church, and we joined there. My sister and I had to be baptized to join. <br />I knew all the women who did the needlepoint! Art and I were married in the chapel. Did you go see it? They took pews, altar, etc.., from the old church and put them in there. The glass windows were sort of re-done using the same glass from them also. There is a columbarium under the floor in front of the altar, not right in front, but before you step up to the altar. Both my parents ashes are in there. There is a wall plaque of sorts outside of the chapel stating who's ashes are buried there.<br />Jim Knecht, Joanne Tortorette, Bill Muter, Judy Thomas, and lots more from out class were members there. After our fiftieth reunion we all went to church together and then lunch. <br />You'll laugh, we had our wedding reception in the church library. We were married at 11:30 in the morning and had punch, nuts, mints and little sandwiches, and of course cake, with coffee & tea after the ceremony. Certainly not like some of the weddings nowadays! (we were broke and in college!) <br />After my dad died, we bought all new chairs for the choir room! They are still there! The seats are padded, if I'm not mistaken! <br />They also have a darling children's chapel and my mom bought altar stuff and vestments to be used there. Not sure they would still be used. She died in 1998, at 93. <br />Oh, the marble, for the altar, was from some special place in Italy! The organ was/is very special also, but I can't remember the history of it. They gave many, many concerts there for the public, not sure if they still do that.<br />There were a LOT of monied families in that church! That's why the organ, altar, windows, and other things are in there, because of special gifts from these families. They have a book somewhere of the whole history somewhere. <br />You are a courageous soul to drive that far. I think they are struggling somewhat. I didn't find them to be overly friendly to 'visitors', which could be one of their problems. <br />Our current Lutheran church, on the other hand, is growing by leaps and bounds. We had a 3 year debt reduction and paid off about 1.3 million in that time. The majority of our congregation is made up of young couples. Great to see. We are an 'open' church and so many of those families have found a home there. They are all so involved in everything, too. I think in part because they, for so long, have never been welcomed in churches before. <br />Well, I've blabbed long enough, but, gosh, have I ever enjoyed those pictures! Thanks, dear one!!!!<br />Nancy Timmsnoreply@blogger.com