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(11.)
Sesquicentennial
Celebration
Liberty ~ Graham Baptist Church, Butlerville,
Jennings County, Indiana
(However, most people say the outside
of the)
Church proper looks the same as it did
years ago.The first annual Homecoming at Graham was celebrated in 1957. Since
then each first Sunday in October has been designated as Homecoming
Sunday. This is a time to especially invite all former Pastors, members
and friends for a day of worship and fellowship. The annual meeting this
year was moved ahead to the Church's birthday, the second Sunday in
August.
It is not only at Homecoming that former members and friends remember
Graham. The evidence of this fact is the gifts of love such as those given
by Anna Fry and Edna Forward. Graham is very grateful for the many gifts
she has received over the years. Some of the gifts are very personal such
as those of the artists of two oil paintings hanging in the dining room.
Barbara Hearne, former Pastor's wife, painted the one of Graham and
presented it in 1962. Mary Rousey Brass won a prize at the Indiana State
Fair with the oil impressionist painting of the Cross which she donated to
the Church. One outstanding gift though is one from Miss Edith Johnson and
should be mentioned. "Miss Edie" as she was affectionately
known, was a long time member of Bethel. She had to move when the
Jefferson Proving Ground was founded. She moved her membership to Graham
but never again established a home. All her household goods were donated
to the Church. They were sold at public auction in the Church yard on
September 28, 1955 and the money added to the building fund.
See the Gospel Church Secure,
And founded on a rock;
All her promises are sure;
Her bulwarks who can shock?
Count her every precious shrine;
Tell, to after-ages, tell,
Fortified by power divine,
The Church can never fail.
(Charles Wesley)
Grahams present members are proud of the heritage left them by the
early members. They praise their past faithfulness and labors for the
Lord. However, they are reminded the Church is a body of believers, not a
building, though it is truly dedicated to God. May they pledge themselves
to further His Kingdom in this time and place, praying that 150 years
hence Graham will still be a living Church.
Mary Jo Wahlman, Clerk
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11.
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