Deep River Christian Church holds last service

DEEP RIVER — There where hugs, laughs, memories shared and maybe a few tears as members, past and present, gathered at the Deep River Christian Church Disciples of Christ for the last time.

The once flourishing Deep River church that was founded Oct. 5, 1890 as the Christian Denomination and organized with 13 charter members, has closed its doors.

The last service was held Sunday, Dec. 29 with just under 20 people present.

The church gathered in the Deep River Opera House in the early days, with the new and current church building opening its doors in 1894.

The building has undergone several updates and additions and has been home to many area families and numerous ministers for 130 years.

The church building has been sold to Mark and Melissa Doll of Honeybee Ministries of Lynnville. Plans for the building were not available at press time.

  Buy Photo

Church members cited declining membership, longtime members passing away and no new families coming into the church as the reasons for its closing.

Those attending the last service enjoyed hearing the Word of God from Pastor Larry Naylor via cellphone. Naylor was unable to be at the church for the final service.

Naylor, who started ministering at the church in 2008, said the congregation was looking for a new minister and he was filling in for a time.

“They couldn‘t find anyone, so I just stayed,” he said.

Naylor said his parents lived in Deep River before the war and he attended the church as a youngster. Hecurrently serves as chaplain with the Deep River American Legion Post 296.

“I have been a minister for over 30 years,” said Naylor, who calls Pella home. “I enjoyed the people in the church and the community. They are some of the nicest people I have known.”

Longtime church member, Dixie Cable, 81, who some called the church matron, played several Christmas songs on the piano during the last service. Communion, a weekly occurrence, was served to all in attendance and an offering was taken.

  Buy Photo

Cable has attended the church for all but 27 years of her life. During that time she lived and taught school in Minnesota.

Cable recalled a photo of her dad holding her in front of the church. She wore a hat, as her mom was known as the hat lady.

“I couldn’t have been three,” she said.

She recalled the large posters of Jesus on the walls of the sanctuary. She said they were enlarged from picture lesson books she and the other children used many years ago.

Recalling the popular children’s Christmas program that drew families from all around the area, Cable said she was an angel in the program one year when she was a child and enjoyed that role.

“I remember singing, “Oh Tressmas Tree, Oh Tressmas Tree, how lovely are your branches,” she said. “I had a hard time getting the word Christmas right.”

John McWilliams and his wife, Shari, were present at the last service.

“I grew up in this church,” said McWilliams, who said he hasn’t attended the church in a number of years. “I attended with Dad and Mom and my two sisters. I was baptized here. A lot of good memories along with a few not so good, with funerals of family members.”

Even though he hasn’t been a regular attendee, McWilliams said he’s going to miss the church and the fellowship of the people there.

Kris (Hopwood) Hollopeter and her husband, Allen, were in attendance at the last service.

“I grew up here,” said Hollopeter as she looked around the sanctuary. “I attended Bible school here, and I probably have some photos of the many Christmas programs.”

  Buy Photo

“It is sad to see it close,” she said.

Mike and Patti Mahaffey of Montezuma and their daughter, Mary Lindberg, were among those present.

Patti said she and Mike started attending the church when they moved to Montezuma in 1975.

“Dean McWilliams invited us to church,” she recalled. “Two of our three children were baptized here.”

“I remember ringing the church bell and singing “Silent Night” on Christmas,” said Lindberg. “The whole congregation stood in a circle with candles singing the song.”

Bonnie Keller said the Deep River church was family to her and her late husband, Kenny. It was Kenny’s longtime family church.

She recalled the yearly Christmas programs and all the time the kids put in to get ready.

“These were special times,” said Keller of the Christmas programs. “It’s one of those traditions that people came back to every year.”

Another attendee talked about all the people that attended the church, recalling one member who lived in Millersburg and would sometimes drive his John Deere tractor to the service and park right outside the front door.

Neva Gregory, who for years has prepared the sanctuary for service, turned on the heat and lights and got Communion ready for the service, stayed busy until the last parishioner left.

She also handled the church bookwork through the years.

“I’m the behind the scenes person,” said Neva.

She then chuckled as she shared a story about getting married to her husband, Allen, at the church.

“Myron Widmer was the best man,” she recalled. “He was standing in front of the church when the fire whistle blew.”

“Well, I got to go,” he said.

“I told him no and to get in the church,” said Neva. “It took all of five minutes for the ceremony.”

Neva said the Rev. Bobby Dickerson was the minister of the church at the time and married her and Allen Nov. 17, 1990.

Neva said she’s going to miss the family atmosphere the most.

“My best memories are teaching Sunday school where we made banners and helped the children learn God’s word,” said Brenda Peck, Neva’s sister, who was present with her husband, Don.

“I’ve always enjoyed the worship and family fellowship,” said Brenda.

“I think the thing to remember is this church served many people through the years,” added Mike Mahaffey.

Some church attendees will continue to gather in member’s homes in the coming days, weeks and months.

“It’s just a warm and loving group,” said Keller. “It’s a family.”