The Rev. Bob Powell and his wife, Marilyn, join some parishioners gathered for a picnic. Powell was minister at the New Palestine church from 1955-58.
Photo provided
NEW PALESTINE — Barbara Biersdorfer remembers them: The minister in the blue suit who drove out from Butler University to speak at services, the organist who painted a mural on the back wall of the church baptistry, her own father’s knack for keeping church board meetings on point.
The story of New Palestine Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) includes many people who worshiped together on Sundays and from there went out and made a mark on the community. Stanford Furry, who church people say is the namesake of Furry Road, was one of the original members when the church organized on Sept. 4, 1870. Harold Modlin — or “Harry Martin,” as the Indiana Broadcast Hall of Fame member was known in his television farm and weather reports — was part of the church.
On Sept. 17, many members and ministers of the church, past and present, came together to reconnect with each other, share stories and names long remembered, and reflect on the church’s long history. Some came from far away, such as from Kansas, Michigan and other states.
“We saw people we hadn’t seen for quite a while,” Biersdorfer said.
For people who grew up in the church to come back from so far, said longtime member John Kottlowski, “It must have been really important to your story — and it was.”
It was a 150th anniversary celebration 152 years in the making, since the milestone fell during 2020 when many events were canceled and people were practicing social distancing amid COVID-19. There was a feeling, said member Patty Chambers, that it was still important to celebrate. “We want to grow our church … to let them know we’re here,” she said.
There was barbecue, a pitch-in and singing to go with the reminiscing, which was aided by a video and some 15 photo albums depicting past activities, celebrations and milestones. Someone sang “Victory in Jesus,” a favorite of Biersdorfer’s late husband, John.
Over the years she’s participated in the life of the congregation in various capacities in different seasons, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, serving as an elder, and completing a stint as board chairman.
“That’s one thing I like about this church,” she said. “They’ve accepted women in leadersip roles.”
Like Biersdorfer, Kottlowski remembers a lot of people from his decades as part of the congregation. He recalls meeting hardware store owner Les Bennett. Kottlowski had moved back to New Palestine with his family after college and was “new” in town when the Bennetts invited him and his wife, Connie, to a church spaghetti supper in early 1972.
A church elder for most of the 50 years since then, Kottlowski is among those in the church who’ve been entrusted with checking in on members who are ill or could use a visit, or need a ride. “(It’s) to make sure that everybody doesn’t get forgotten,” he said. “Sometimes when you’re going through rough times, you need that support network.”
That spirit of caring extends to community outreach, Biersdorfer said, such as filling 25 Easter baskets for children in need, or gathering coats, mittens and scarves in cold weather. A decorative tree in the church lobby often has tags on it with items people can contribute toward Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen in Greenfield or some other endeavor.
“We’re small, but I think we’ve always managed to care for other people,” she said. “We’ve always tried to care for people who are less fortunate.”
Kottlowski saw that sense of a small group doing something big when the church set out to build a new building on County Road 650 West more than 20 years ago. There were about 55 families in the church at the time, he said, and it was an act of faith to move forward.
“Anytime we needed something financial, whether it be a new roof, or a sound system, it came for us,” and sometimes from others in the community, he said. “We didn’t know the source, but we knew the unifying part of it, and that was the love of God…
“What’s gratifying about it is people become a part of something bigger than themselves.”
While he’s made longtime friends at the church, he’s also encouraged to see the faith of a new generation, including teens in the church who share original worship songs with the congregation.
“I would probably describe it as a church that has a lot of old wisdom, that has a lot of young energy,” he said, “and together they have a lot of faith.”
PLACE TO PLACE
According to a church history compiled by Barbara Biersdorfer, “At first our tiny band of Disciples met along the banks of Sugar Creek. When the weather grew too cold or otherwise inclement, they met in each other’s homes. … Later meeting places included the German Methodist Church, the railroad station, and the school house … then located on the northeast corner of Bittner and the Brookville Road (Highway 52).”
A building at 27 W. Main St., built in 1871, cost $1,550. The church moved to its current building in 2003.
