Sioux Valley Baptist Church is a small clapboard church sitting on a dirt road a few miles from Trent, South Dakota and right across the Big Sioux River from my Great Great Grandfather’s original homestead. He donated the land the church sits on. The church was dedicated in 1888 and has been in service ever since. It is a tradition in my Dad’s family that they attend services in connection with the annual reunion. It is pretty cool to see the church still holding services and knowing that my ancestors had a hand in getting it started.
The service is simple and heartfelt. The music is great. The prayers and praises concern thankfulness for a safe rodeo season and livestock showings at the County Fair, concerns about illnesses. Somehow the pastor, Rita Webber remembers everything and mentions it during the prayers. The sermon is likewise great.
Somehow this is all accomplished without powerpoint slides, amplified guitars, video segments and all that. Totally Old School and relaxing.
What a fascinating family history you have – you could almost be a Brit 🙂
Ah, nothing more uplifting than singing in a country Baptist church!
Funny. Just last night with relatives gathering from NJ, we were having a conversation about the word: thankfulness.
Lovely church. I am just trying to imagine a sermon with powerpoint, how ghastly would that be.
Ghastly is a good word for it.
I love the church and your family connection to it!
What a wonderful slice of family history to celebrate at your reunions. The church is beautifully quaint, and amazingly well preserved.
What a wonderful structure and it is great to know that the services still match the facility, simple and straight to the point.
Small world again, Alan…I started my teaching career on the banks of the Big Sioux River, in Hawarden Iowa, at West Sioux High School, south of Sioux Falls where we went to church. Had never heard ice break up on a river in the spring before…long, long ago, and many miles. First son was born when we lived there. Great country, great people.
Yep, the people and the country are great.
Charming! And no Powerpoint — that’s something to thankful for!
What a lovely little church. It’s good to know it’s still in use.