JUNE MEETING 1999

Spring Grove Friends Church

On June 6, 1999, Spring Grove Friends Church celebrated their 140th anniversary. Despite rain, around 100 people attended this memorable event.

So, What is June Meeting???

June Meeting is the way that our church celebrates its anniversary. Every year on the first Sunday in June Spring Grove has a special day of activities and reminiscing. It is a time that you can learn about the Quaker's role in history and what Spring Grove has done.

Hollis Hunt, Eugene White, and Jeremy White, June Meeting 1999.

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In 1999, we had a lot of events planned all day long. Although some were cancelled or moved inside because of the rain, many things were taught all day long. Many people dressed up in period clothing for this special event.
The first event of the day was first day school (Sunday School). There were songs sung by the children of the church, object lessons, and a presentation of a prairie child's diary.
Some of the Fitzwater children pose in their 1850s clothes

Morning Worship was a special time of celebration. It included some old-time hymns and a special message presented by former pastor Ferne Cook. People sat in traditional Quaker seating arrangements (men on right, women on left.)
For lunch, an old-fashioned beef stew that was cooked outside in a cast-iron pot over an open fire was served. Drinks included were lemonade, tea, and water. People brought a multitude of desserts, including cakes, cookies, pies, and brownies. Immediately after lunch Jeremy and Eugene White and Hollis Hunt performed special music on the banjo, guitar, and harmonica.

Smile, Velda Lee Hay! You're on candid camera!

Ferne Cook tells a message to the crowd

Special speakers presented the history of Spring Grove. Special speakers included June Worden, Gary Damron, Timothy Westcott, Maryanna Williams, and Fred Leimkuhler. Different speakers spoke about their memories of Spring Grove, Quaker history, the Friends mission in Kansas, the history of Spring Grove, and the Underground Railroad. Visitors had a chance to speak about the day, what they thought of the events, and they could bring a testimony.

Pastor Forrest Brandt gave some closing remarks and lined everybody up for a group picture taken inside the church. After everything was over, about thirty people stayed for fellowship. They helped finish off the dessert tables and had some leftover stew.

Spring Grove's 140th anniversary was a tremendous success despite rain and a crowded building.

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Jerilyn James, Cathy Brandt, Forrest Brandt, and Mike Herriges sing an old song.

Here's a parting shot of the Whites at the 1996 June Meeting