In 1854, several residents of Salem would meet in the courthouse or in private homes to practice their religious beliefs. Around 170 years ago, the first parish of the Salem Christian Church found its beginning in 1855, when those several residents, approximately 20 folks, were organized through the efforts of David McDonald and Charles Drennan who formed their own parish following a disagreement over proper religious practices with several others in the community. In 1881, the small parish finished building its Salem Christian Church—where it now resides on 302 West 4th Street.
The church will be celebrating its 170th anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 7, with an 11 a.m. fellowship, church walkthrough, and display of historical memorabilia; 12 p.m. basket dinner, including a celebration cake; and 1:30 p.m. program, reviewing historical details and memories from the church community, along with a puppet performance by church youth. Sunday, June 8, there will be an 10 a.m. morning worship, along with a story from a former member of the church who later became a preacher in Texas, and 11:15 a.m. Sunday School.
The building that currently is home to the Salem Christian Church was originally built at a cost of $2,000. By 1899, membership had grown to more than 300, and the church had been instrumental in establishing two new congregations in Sligo and Gladden Valley. Since its formation, the Salem Christian Church has had several additions—originally, there was only the narthex, nave, crossing, and alter. The church made the addition of the wings for use as Sunday School rooms, the addition on the back of the auditorium of a baptistry, and a basement for storage in 1913. In 1955, another addition was made of three floors of educational rooms, containing classrooms, a choir room, office and study, and a kitchen and dining hall for fellowship meetings and recreation.
During its celebration to occur in June, more historical information will be presented for the community to view, along with a walkthrough where folks can take a tour of the church and learn more about how it’s changed over the years. Older members of the church, for example, recall Sunday School classes being taught in a small room in the basement, and then in the added wings.
Leannette Beeson, a member of the church for 20 years and anniversary committee chair, shared that the celebration will feature several books that will be laid out for the community to view, like an old Sunday School book from 1899 featuring names of teachers, students, and amount collected for the day. Other books include old high school scrapbooks—including a photograph of former upper elementary principal Tom Dillon in his letterman sweater. There were an estimated 300 pictures discovered depicting the church’s long history, shared Beeson.
As a member of the church for a little over 20 years, Beeson shared that the church has remained consistent in its faith practices over the years. It has also remained a central part of the community of Salem. With a front row seat to the parade route, it always participates in community celebrations—giving away hot cocoa during the Christmas parade or ice cream at the Fourth of July parade. It also remains a must-visit site during holidays, as many visit the Salem Christian Church during its Christmas candlelight service, due to the beautiful, classical look of the church interior, decorated with warm light of candles and plenty of garland.
Of the church community, Beeson shared a close connection with all those within the Salem Christian Church—speaking fondly of the congregation. Most recent months have seen many funerals, and the congregation has been instrumental in supporting each other and uplifting families through the difficult time.
“It’s a church family,” shared Beeson. “I don’t know how people get through any hard times without that."
Over the course of planning the celebration, Beeson has dived through several minutes from church board meetings, along with the church basement, attic, and various nooks and crannies throughout the building searching for historically significant memorabilia. All that she has collected will be shared and then will be put away in a container and marked for future celebrations.
