Inspiration From That Little Brick Church on the Hill

Inspiration From That
Little Brick Church on the
Hill.
Linn Grove Presbyterian Church
Founded 1841
2000 Linn Grove Road
Mt Vernon IA 52314
Find us on Facebook
Linn Grove Presbyterian Church
1

Bitterness Be gone
A couple of years ago I heard of a movie called "Nurse
Edith Cavell." It's an old, movie, a good movie, and it
was made in 1939. It's 1939's idea of a thriller and
action and suspense movie all rolled into one. And it's
based on a true story. So, if you like old movies, give it a
try. I can even loan it to you.
Nurse Edith Cavell was the only woman shot as a spy
by a German Firing Squad in WWI. It's a pretty exciting
film. If I remember correctly it took place in German
occupied Holland or Belgium. And she wasn't really
even a spy. Her crimes? She helped British fighters
who'd been shot down to escape across the English
Channel home to Britain.
But why was this movie inspiring to me? It was her last
words before the firing squad pulled their triggers ... .
"Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or
bitterness towards anyone."
When we pray, as we ask God to forgive us for our
sins, even as we forgive those who have sinned against
us, let us also ask God to "Let me hold no bitterness in
my heart for anyone."
Don Elarton
2

Parting is sweet sorrow
I love our ending hymn of GOD BE WITH YOU TIL WE
MEET AGAIN. I feel that it brings peace, hope and
encouragement. Here at Linn Grove, we sing the first
verse.
God be with you till we meet again,
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you,
God be with you till we meet again.
Dawn Benson
God Be With You Till We Meet Again”, (1882) music by William
Tomer, Grace Methodist Episcopal church words by Jeremiah
Rankin pastor of First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C.,
was written for Rankin’s choir to sing when they parted each
week. Rankin said, “as a Christian goodbye, it was called forth by
no person or occasion, but was deliberately composed as a
Christian hymn on basis of the etymology of “goodbye,” which is
“God be with you.”
"This became the closing hymn for the Christian Endeavor
Convention. Rankin said: “It has had no sweeter recognition than
that given it by its adoption by the Young People’s Society of
Christian Endeavor. Long, long, may they sing it!”
Additional verses and chorus:
Neath His wings protecting hide you,
Daily manna still divide you,
When life’s perils thick confound you,
Put His arms unfailing round you,
Keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
Smite death’s threatening wave before you,
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
3

Music and scripture to calm the soul
I enjoy the "Daily Bread" booklet, and often I'm amazed
and surprised at how each day that the scripture and
narrative happen to fit!!
As you know, I have my own organ here at my home and,
many times I play it for my own "comfort!" I have three
hymns that are my favorites...When I am sad or blue, I play
"Precious Memories" (and shed some tears!!)
When I am troubled or worried, I enjoy playing "Just a
Closer Walk With Thee”. It seems to help. It seems to bring
me some happiness, comfort and calm!!
My third hymn is "Wonderful Words of Life!" I can still
hear the old Linn Grove Choir singing it in my head. Betty
Johnson hitting the high notes on the chorus and all the
men's parts in the background, (with my Mom at the piano!)
It was a great memory. I bless her making me practice!!!
Margaret K.
4

Casting out fear
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; do not be
dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and
help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right
hand.”
Worrying is something I struggle with each day. I
worry about my kids, our world, school, family, lots of
things! I love this verse because it encourages me
to remember that God is in control and worrying is
pointless! Pray to God and then let it go. God will
provide and take care of you. Let go and let God!
Matthew 4:10-11 "Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone,
Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your
God and him only shall you serve.' "
Then the devil left him, and angels came and were
ministering to him."
When things don't go right and it seems like every
single thing is falling apart I often say, "GO AWAY,
SATAN!"
I try to keep in mind that the feelings of worry, fear,
and frustration are not from God. Those horrible feelings
are from Satan and are not meant to be in my life.
Teressia Boren
5

What does God require of me?
My favorite devotional is mentioned in several places
in the Bible, so I can't quote a specific scripture. But I can
remember when I became a Christian many years ago and
I asked God this question - "What does the Lord require
of me?" The answer is two things - 1) To love God with
all your heart, mind, strength and spirit, and 2) to love
your neighbor as yourself. The first part is not a problem,
but I have always struggled with the second part. The
second part assumes we love ourselves, but over the
years I have observed that a lot of people do not seem to
love themselves, me included. A Christian is usually
aware of how he does not live up to God's standards, so
it is a conundrum. Perhaps the solution is we must
recognize we cannot save ourselves and need a Savior to
put us right with God. I thank God for Jesus Christ.
Don Koppenhaver
6

Out of the mouths of Babes:
Sharing makes you happy
"If you have two shirts, share with the person who does
not have one. If you have food, share that too." - Luke
3:11
I like this because it says you should share with people
that don't have what they need. God wants us to share
and make people happy.
Noah Boren- Age 5
Give thanks
"Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you
in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I am thankful for this wonderful day and for my
wonderful family. Thank you God for making this Earth. I
tell God thank you because he made this world and he
made me!
Ivy Boren- Age 5
7

God is Love
"I will forgive their sins and will no longer remember
their wrongs." - Hebrew 8:12
I like this one because it shows how forgiving and
loving our God is. Kenzie Boren- Age 11
During lent this
year, just prior to
the end of face to
face worship due
to covid 19, our
children wrote
this poem as a
class and gave
each of us a copy
and a little plastic
Elephant!
“And a little child
shall lead them.”
Use Your Gifts to Serve Him
"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety
of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another."
1 Peter 4:10
I chose this devotional because it reminds me that God
has given me great gifts. I feel like it is important to
share your gifts with others. It can be as simple as loving
your neighbor or helping someone in need.
Caitlyn Boren- Age 13
8

God is My help
Like most people blessed to grow up in the church, I
memorized various verses such as John 3:16-17 and
Psalms 23. However, my two favorite sets of verses are
Romans 8:38-39 (For I am persuaded that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor power, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor dept,
nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord) and
the story in Exodus when, via the burning bush, God
calls Moses to lead his people out of Israel. Moses had
no confidence he could do it.
One of the excuses he used was his ability or lack
thereof to speak. He said, “No, Lord, don't send me. I
have never been a good speaker, and I haven't become
one since you began to speak to me. I am a poor
speaker, slow and hesitant.” God assured Moses that
He would help him speak and would help in other ways
along the way. I can TOTALLY relate to Moses’ lack of
confidence in his speaking ability and I’ve thought of
those verses of God’s promise to be there many times
over the years especially when confronted with a
difficult challenge and most especially when the
challenge involves a necessity to speak to more than just
a handful of people.
I’ve never been called on to lead an entire nation from
bondage but those words from Genesis and Romans are
helpful in giving me confidence and assurance with
whatever challenge I’m faced. As I think about it,
although I’m not asked to be THE leader in helping a
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nation, we are all are called-on to help this world
through a very difficult time when the bonds created by
hate and distrust are so strong. I will focus on using
God’s promises and principles to give me confidence and
guidance in answering the call.
Jim Burge
10

Lord, Help Me
Lord, Help me to love everyone, judge no one, and treat
everyone the same, with the love Jesus taught us
Lord, Help me to love people who are different than me,
physically, mentally, sexually
Lord, Help me to understand that different really means
interesting
Lord, Help me to love the obese, those deemed
unattractive, and all those who people make fun of
Lord, Help me to love those who have different skin
color and features
Lord, Help me to love those with tattoos and piercings
Lord, Help me to love the mentally challenged and those
suffering from drug and alcohol addictions
Lord, Help me to love those who are unkind or insulting
to me
Lord, Help me to love those who have different political
views than I do
Lord, Help me to love those who have different Christian
beliefs than I do
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Lord, Help me to love those non-Christians who believe
in other religions
Lord, Help me to love those who think it's witty to say
unkind things about others
Lord, Help me to love the rich
Lord, Help me to love the poor
Lord, You've taught me that love without action is not
enough
Lord, Help me to do what I can to reduce the burdens of
others ... Physical, Financial, Emotional
Lord, Help me to reflect the love of Christ outwardly, not
just in my mind and heart
Don Elarton
12

I read Daily bread, and my grandma's old guide posts, I
also read a Bound Blessings book that Trevor gave me as
well as listen to old hymns and music that helps to guide
my faith. I particularly like Zach Williams- Old Church
Choir or Unfinished by Mandelisa. Alan Jackson's In the
Garden, Amazing Grace, and What a Friend we have in
Jesus. Josh Turner I Saw the Light. These are just a few
that I listen to as I walk.
My favorite scripture - I have many, but this is one of my
favorites.
psalm 121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from
whence cometh my help.2 My help cometh from
the Lord, which made heaven and earth.3 He will not
suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will
not slumber.4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall
neither slumber nor sleep.5 The Lord is thy keeper:
the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.6 The sun shall
not smite thee by day, nor the moon by
night.7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he
shall preserve thy soul.8 The Lord shall preserve thy
going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and
even for evermore.
Attached is a daily bread that I resonated with....I teach
my students about the word endurance and we look at
Ernest Shackleton's journey and how he was able to
survive terrible circumstances and bring his crew to
safety.
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Friday Februrary 28 ‘
The faith to Endure
Ernest Shackleton 1874-1922 led an unsuccessful
expedition to cross Antarctica in 1914. When his ship,
aptly named Endurance, became trapped in heavy ice in
the Weddell Sea, it became an endurance race just to
survive. With no means of communicating with the rest
of the world, Shackleton and his crew used lifeboats to
make the journey to the nearest shore- Elephant Island.
While most of the crew stayed behind on the island.
Shackleton and five crewmen spent two weeks traveling
800 miles across the ocean to South Georgia to get help
for those left behind. The failed expedition became a
victorious entry in the history books when all of
Shackleton’s men survived, thanks to their courage and
endurance.
The apostle Paul knew what it meant to endure.
During a stormy sea voyage to Rome to face trial for his
belief in Jesus. Paul learned from an angel of God that
the ship would sink. But the apostle kept the men
aboard encouraged, thanks to God’s promise that all
would survive, despite the loss of the ship. (Acts 27: 23-
24.
When disaster strikes, we tend to want God to
immediately make everything better. But god gives us
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the faith to endure and grow. As Paul wrote to the
Romans, “Suffering produces endurance.” (Romans 5:3)
Knowing that, we can encourage each other to keep
trusting God in hard times. Linda Washington
What’s your usual response to hardship? How can you
encourage someone who’s going through difficult times?
Heavenly Father, I need Your help to keep going, even
when it’s tough.
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“Whatever you do, work it at it with all your heart as
working for the Lord…”
Colossians 3:23
When people think of Dick Strother, they probably
think of work. At age 91 he fills his days with mowing
the lawn at Linn Grove, or out on his old Farm-All and
the sickle mower, clipping the ditches along the
road. He made his mark farming, and now he makes his
mark by working to help others including Linn Grove
Church. He is the good shepherd watching over that
acre of land on which the church was built. Recently, for
example, he and his wife of 60 years, Donna, together
with the Farm-All and hayrack, trekked up the road to
the church to collect debris from the July storm. He was
back again sawing, and cutting the tangle brush and tree
trunks after the recent derecho storm. He grooms the
site and trouble shoots little issues on the building. He is
God’s working hands, and Donna is at his side.
Another storm provided Dick’s first memory of Linn
Grove Church. His earliest memory of Linn Grove is
seeing about a fourth of the sanctuary missing because
of a tornado in 1937 or 1938. He has been attending
Sunday School there since about the age of four,
alternating Sundays with his mother’s church, the
Christian Church in Martelle. The tornado, he
remembers, had strewn the bricks both inside and
outside the sanctuary. Those bricks were later used to
fill in the windows, which can still be viewed today on
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the north end of the church. The original church,
constructed in 1855 is the brick portion of the building
we can see today. “A brick building with four walls”,
Dick said. The double doors leading into today’s Sunday
School area served as the original opening to the
church. Later a 16 x 10 vestibule room was added.
Dick’s parents, Glenn Strother and the former Doris
Armstrong were rumored to be married in the
parsonage, which is the house located directly south of
the church on the west side of Linn Grove Road. Glenn
was a life-long member of the church, as was his father
(Dick’s grandfather) John Strother.
Among Dick’s memories of Linn Grove is the oncesizable
congregation of nearly 100 people. He can
remember when the Sunday School attendance was at
about 50-60, and that number always increased for the
actual church service. He reminisced about the annual
chicken dinners, the major fund raiser for the church,
typically held in September of each year. There was
fried chicken, of course, Presbyterian salad (a marinated
slaw), real mashed potatoes and gravy, lots of
vegetables from the gardens of the Ladies’
Aid. Everything was served country style, the men of the
church set up the tables and helped the women in the
kitchen however they could. He remembered it as a
social time, as people from surrounding communities
and towns would come out for this special meal.
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Dick remembers the various additions to the Sunday
School area of the church, which became consolidated
into one long slope-roofed addition that we can see
today. This was about 1958 and may have coincided
with the sale of the parsonage. Local carpenter Barney
Blok and his crew were in charge of construction.
Barney wanted to keep the old addition, so he cut down
two hickory trees from his father in law’s farm
(Daubinmeier) and used them as skids to transport the
old addition down to the farm at the south corner of
Yeisley Road and Elbow Creek Road. Dick remembered
that about half of the skids were gone by the time they
arrived at their destination. The new addition included
an upstairs apartment, furnished by the Ladies’ Aid
Society. The pull-down stairs giving access to the
apartment, were counter-balanced by Dick and Claire
Richardson, so they could easily be raised and lowered.
This apartment facilitated student pastors, who stayed
at the church on weekends. Dick also remembers one
student pastor who spent the summer living at the
church. The last full-time pastor at Linn Grove left in
approximately 1955. From then until the church was
yoked with the Springville Presbyterian Church, there
were either student pastors or part time assignees. The
church also relinquished its ownership of the Linn Grove
Cemetery at a time when Dick was acting as Linn
Township Clerk, temporarily replacing Marvin Johnson
who was away. In 1964, three cemeteries-- Linn Grove,
Paralta, and Mt. Zion-- passed from “local” ownership to
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the township. The dwindling trust fund used to maintain
the cemetery was also passed to the township.
How did Dick stay involved with the church as an
adult? Part of it was by example. He remembered that
his dad would go over to the church on Saturdays to
open it up to cool it off in summer and to start a fire in
the winter. That responsibility passed from others in the
church and then to Dick. What Dick remembers most
through the years of his attendance, is the congregation
of people, the fellowship enjoyed, and the choir. The
choir was filled with a “ton” of people in his early days.
They rehearsed and prepared special music for the
services at Linn Grove. Until the mid-1950s they were
accompanied by a piano. At that time an “organ fund”
was started and Linn Grove enjoyed its first organ. Later
in about 1980, the church became the recipient of an
organ from the parents of Doris Anderson as part of
their estate. Today there is a new organ; a gift of the
Don Koppenhaver family.
Dick and Donna are one of the most active couples in
the church, even today. His brilliant memory makes him
a go-to for questions about community history and
genealogy. He remembers those who have gone before
us as it they are still in the room. Wherever there is a
task to be done, Dick is there. Willing and enthusiastic.
Thankful to have his health. Thankful to serve.
Dick and Donna are a Christian inspiration to the
members and friends of Linn Grove Church.
Gladys Olsen Ed.D.
19

Dick Strother
investigates damage
from the derecho
August 2020
Donna Strother rests
by the bell during a
derecho clean up break
August 2020
20

They taught us through the way they lived their lives
At the celebration of the 175 th anniversary for Linn
Grove Church, my memories were kindled by the
remembrances of those who either wrote or spoke that
day. People witnessed about how the faith they found at
Linn Grove Church changed their lives and how the
ministers were strengthened by the caring, fellowship
and food of the congregation. As I listened to the stories
and having also thought much about Linn Grove since I
received the invitation, my memories have been divided
many times among the people, the surroundings and how
Linn Grove affected my life.
One of the people I remember and still embrace as a
leader at Linn Grove was John Kuntz. The Kuntz family
and my family go back a long way. The first-generation
relationship began with the threshing run, where
neighbors, several of whom were first generation
immigrants (including my father) became extended
family. Even though I had not yet started school, I can still
remember most of the families: Holcomb, Strother,
Armstrong, Pospisil, Kirkpatrick, Ellison, Hinrichs, Olsen,
Kuntz.
John was my Sunday School teacher in the late fifties
and early sixties. Poor John. I think he got “stuck” with
that class of cocky adolescents because no one else
wanted us. Larry Richardson, Lyle Hanna, David Fisher,
Dorn Stewart, Mary Carole Stewart, Bobby Sadler and
me. John not only commanded our attention; he earned
our respect. His combination of preparation, thoughtful
reflection and a kind Christian attitude impacted my life
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along with the rest of that rowdy bunch. John had an
uncanny way of turning a tough question into an
opportunity to witness in a way that made us reflect. In
some ways, John was my first encounter with serious
conversation with a Christian intellectual. Miles and years
separated us for much of my life, but I never forgot his
steady, ethical and contemplative outlook on issues.
I had the pleasure of a lengthy chat with John after the
Christmas Eve service a few months before his death. It
is a gift to have people who have stayed in this life as long
as John did -- who are so clear minded and articulate to
be able to share the wealth of wisdom and knowledge
with those who took the time to listen. After all these
years, I still regard John as a teacher and moral example.
Today I rejoice in the gifts John gave to me and to all the
others whose lives he touched.
Gladys Olsen Ed. D
22

Primary Sunday School Class at Linn Grove circa 1961
Helen Kirkpatrick
Daryl Johnson
Gary Koppenhaver
Wendy Hodgen
Hal Piper
Rai Ann Martin
23

Note to confirmand Gladys Olsen regarding meeting
with session regarding confirmation
24

The Confirmation Class of 1960**
The winter of 1960 was a tough one. The Des Moines
weather records indicate that we had 27 consecutive
days where at least a foot of snow was on the ground-- a
record that still stands today. Because of the small
membership of Linn Grove, communicants’ classes were
organized when there seemed to be a group of peers
who could be prepared and confirmed. This was the
background for the Linn Grove Confirmation class begun
in January of 1960.
The class was led by student Pastor Gene Harbaugh,
assisted by his wife Ellen. We were scheduled to meet
on Saturday mornings; however, with the winter
weather, we missed a lot of school, and had to make up
for these classes on Saturday mornings. Therefore, the
Confirmation classes were held on Saturday
afternoons. We followed a curriculum set forth by the
Presbyterian Church, which included a Profession of
Faith and a foundational understanding of our faith,
tradition and Presbyterian practices. We met in the
Sanctuary, and most of the classes centered around
practical applications of scripture to our lives.
The members of the class had long been attending Linn
Grove Sunday School and Bible School, so we were well
prepared in the stories of scripture by our Bible School
teachers and Sunday School teachers, Elizabeth
McCaughey and, later, John Kuntz. We also all belonged
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to the Linn Grove Youth Fellowship. Student Pastor
Gene facilitated our youth group, which met on
Saturday evenings. A new apartment had been created
above the Sunday School area when the church was
remodeled. Gene and Ellen would overnight there on
weekends. There was a ping pong table in the new
basement and I remember our youth group rang the bell
at midnight on New Year’s Eve (to the consternation, no
doubt, of all the surrounding neighbors who were
asleep). This how we said good bye to 1959 and greeted
1960.
Members of our class were: David Fisher, Lyle Hanna,
Larry Richardson, Bobby Sadler, and me, Gladys
Olsen. As I remember, John Kuntz sometimes sat in on
our lessons. Our classes were held each Saturday from
late January through early April. At that time, we met
with the Session who asked us questions about our
curriculum. The Session gave approval and so we were
confirmed as a class by Rev. Martin on Easter Sunday
April 27.**
Here is the rest of the story: Bobby Sadler graduated
from Martello in May of that year and went on to
Dunwoody School in Minneapolis, where he remains
today. Larry and I graduated in the last class from
Martelle in 1962. Larry is now retired from a career in
technology and lives in the mountains of
Tennessee. Lyle and David graduated in 1964 from Mt.
Vernon High School. Both served their country in Viet
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Nam and returned to the Linn Grove Community to raise
their families. David and Lyle, who remained best
friends all their lives, have passed away and are buried
in the Linn Grove Cemetery. I remained friends with
David and Lyle, as well. Some of Lyle’s children were the
same age as mine, so they enjoyed Linn Grove Bible
School together and were best friends with each other. I
live on my parents’ farm where I enjoy the company of
my two grandchildren who live across the road from the
home farm.
**This is written to the best of my memory. Records
and versions of this class are conflicting or, at best,
sketchy. Sessions records indicate Lyle Hanna was
confirmed on March 22, 1959, and David Fisher on
December 10 1961. No mention is made of Bobby Sadler,
Larry Richardson, nor me. I have the original post card
from Student Pastor Gene Harbaugh telling me to report
to a Session meeting in late April with a post mark of
1960. (A picture of the post card is included with this
article.). Mike Stewart believed he was a member of this
class, but the Sessions records indicate he was confirmed
in a class in 1960 with Andrea Goudy, Paul Martin and
Robert Heath. Mike commuted from his new home in
Lamont to be confirmed with this class.
Gladys Olsen Ed.D.
.
27

How firm a Foundation
As I think back on the experiences, I have had at Linn
Grove, several memories jump out at me. As children we
loved playing Red Rover, singing in the choir, youth
group activities (presenting the sunrise worship service
on Easter Sunday), the many church suppers and the
special programs on Christmas eve and then Santa
coming with candy and apples. What most stands out
for me is Reverend Harold Martin's attempt to enlighten
us about the African American population. This was in
the 60's. He organized a pulpit exchange with a Black
minister from Cedar Rapids and arranged for Linn Grove
to attend their church and for their congregation to
attend ours. I remember the "joyful" singing and how
engaged their congregation was in the service. He
encouraged us to learn about their culture and talk
about what we had in common. He was part of the
"movement" that is still going on today. Every day I try
and practice what he taught us.
Another memory was the "Youth Group" trip to
Buckhorn, Kentucky in the summer of 65. We were to
help out doing whatever was asked of us at this
Presbyterian sponsored orphanage. We painted,
weeded, mowed, picked up trash, in general we
"spruced" the place up. We heard from the children
about how they came to live there. We took some side
trips and traveled "really back" roads to a church in the
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holler. The church had stained glass windows that were
brought up by mules. A little farther down the road we
went to a lady's house and she served us "Southern"
fried chicken. On her front porch was a refrigerator and
her living room was wallpapered with several different
patterns of wallpaper. She was the nicest person and
she told wonderful stories about that church and how it
was constructed. Even though she did not have much
she gave to us freely.
Several years later while on vacation with Mary I
went back to Buckhorn to show her where I had been.
Not much had changed the big white building that
housed the Post Office, general store, grocery store, and
the dorms upstairs that we stayed in was the same. The
lesson learned had been “help others: and that is what I
have tried to do all of my life. I had a good foundation.
Andrea Goudy
29

Little things Mean A lot
Linn Grove was the foundation of my faith for which I
am grateful and humbled. From the early years of
Sunday School, choir, youth group, playing the organ,
Grandpa Goudy’s “special seat”, Christmas Eve services’
brown bags (filled with one apple and a piece of candy)
to the later years of church dinners, marriage and my
parents’ funerals, Linn Grove provided those lessons I
needed to follow my journey of faith.
So many memories too numerous to pen but will
forever live in my heart. Multiple Bible verses and
hymns hold treasured memories for me. My
grandmother loved to whistle and when I hear “Just a
Closer Walk with Thee” I think of her. To this day, when
I reflect on Linn Grove, I realize how very lucky I was to
have been raised in such a loving, caring, and supportive
church community.
With deep appreciation for our little country church,
Debbie Goudy Ward
30

Precious memories
Every family in the congregation has always had their
designated pew, even though they have changed over
the years. When I was little, the Koppenhaver pew was
the last one on the right side. There was no “nursery” or
“cry room”, we were expected to attend the church
service. During the service Dad would keep us
entertained and quiet by drawing pictures on the
bulletin. If that didn’t work, you got a thump on the
head. Not me, of course, but Gary and Scott did!
The Sunday School rooms were set up in the dining
room. There were big partitions on wheels that
separated the classes. The partitions were like a bulletin
board material, so we were able to hang our creations
and biblical pictures. As we aged, we would go from
section to section, earning pins and pin bars and
certificates of completion. The tables got taller and the
chairs got bigger. I think every parent took their turn
being a Sunday School teacher and a Divine Referee.
Maybe some not so divine…..
Every so often, we would have the Preacher to dinner
after church. This must’ve been when we had seminary
pulpit supply, because why would we have the Preacher
and not his whole family? Us kids must have been
irritating because Mom told us to go outside and play in
the sandbox, and one of us piped up and said, “we don’t
want to play there, that’s where the cats poop.”!
I remember there was most always a choir. There was a
skirted area on the right side with organ. The choir
members would sit/stand up there with their black robe
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with white collars. They would sing the prelude, special
music and the postlude. At times, they were a large
group. I remember specifically Lyle Hanna’s distinct
voice as he had a very rich tone. Sometimes there would
be solos, duets and musical instruments.
Karol Koppenhaver
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Remembrances of Linn Grove from the Kuntz family
Special events and Activities:
**Halloween: Trick or Treat for Unicef Parties—
put on by the Sunday School program
Bobbing for apples, Haunted House set up in the
basement, driving around the neighborhood near the
church and collecting $ and some gave us candy too
**Christmas: multiple events—
Caroling- we’d gather at the church and make up
decorated boxes w/ treats, begin at Bonnie Larson’s
house right by church and go to about eight places
including Hallmark Care Center and the homes of shutins,
would try to sing alto parts w/ Margaret
Christmas Eve service- we would memorize scripture or
a poem to perform, (Sharon- my first piece was a poem
about a doll when I was 5 or 6 w/ Ruth Hanna as my
teacher, in about 1980- Linda and Dan Kirkpatrick did a
piano duet of O Holy Night- I’ve thought of that every
time I have heard that song since,) we always had
cookies after the service and then the Johnson family
would hustle out of church because they opened gifts on
Xmas Eve
**Youth Group— Held on Sunday nights, missed the last
15 minutes of Wonderful World of Disney to attend, Bill
and Karol Nelson were leaders before they had kids or
when the girls were very young
Canoe trips- On a trip w/ Pastor Steve- Dan Kirkpatrick &
Scott Johnson overturned dumping their tent and had to
dive and get so they ended up w/ soaking wet tent, also
lost Dan’s new tennis shoes he got from being an extra
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in the movie “Dribble” that had been filmed in Cedar
Rapids, we woke the next morning to green worms on
all of our things
On a different canoe trip, Alan and Ronald Johnson
overturned their canoe and dumped lunch bags when
Ronald was trying to see turtles
**Confirmation— We did confirmation during eighth
grade. Carol recalled her class taking place w/ Pastor
Harold P. Martin. Classmates she remembered were:
Barry Johnson, Scott Koppenhaver, Brian Kirkpatrick, and
Bob Thompson. We did confirmation w/ the kids from
the Springville church too. Pastor Steve incorporated
mission projects in with the more academic learning.
**Movie Nights— Reel projector used, rented movies
from Christian store in CR, (Alan- specifically recalled a
WWII movie in black & white and watching “The Grapes
of Wrath” over several evenings, had heard about this
era from Dad and Grandpa Freddy,) we all liked the
Davey and Goliath Claymation type of movies too
Anne’s specific memories—
**The night Carol was born we were at choir practice at
LG. It was Lyle Hanna’s birthday. Went home, cleaned
house, Dad slept in the chair, I thought baby would be
born in the privy, woke him at 2:30, drove to hospital,
told not to call the doctor too soon, doctor arrived ten
minutes before birth of Carol at 4 am
**First friends were Keith and Arlene Kirkpatrick. They
lived where cows get out now by Neuhaus’s farm,
Invited us to go there to LG, good friends all throughout
even after they moved over toward MV
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**Pastor Steve Parker was a favorite. Nice guy, talked
straight out, Practicing Christian (Linda- Steve was a
sweet, generous, genuine person)
**Pastor Harold P.- thought he was crazy for going to
the South (during the civil rights movement,) “It’s a
wonder he didn’t get killed.” He was progressive for the
time and there were likely mixed opinions of his going to
Selma, AL
**Fond memories of the big party held at Linn Grove for
Anne and John’s 60th anniversary—no better more
appropriate location for the event
Memories of Specific Persons who affected our Faith
Journeys—
**Ruth Hanna: (Linda- Ruth was nice, liked the way she
taught, never yelled at Scott Johnson and he probably
deserved it, made me love the Bible because of the
stories)
**Anita Stewart: (Linda- 1st experience in Sunday
school, Kindergarten age, loved it)
**Lyle Hanna: (Carol- class was upstairs, deep
discussions- broached topics like smoking, drugs,
alcohol, and casual sex, had curriculum that correlated
Bible story to today’s problems, newly back from Marine
Band, taught respect for country and honor those
serving)
**Margaret and Don Koppenhaver: (Sharon- felt guilty
but told Mom I wasn’t getting much out of Sunday
School in upper elementary school and then I got
Margaret followed by Don as my teachers, they made
faith learning fit w/ life, how they taught made my faith
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grow because they helped me to connect the dots
between scripture and daily living, God was not distant
but constant in my life)
**Carla Burge: (Sharon)- as an adult, I can never thank
Carla enough for truly knowing and capturing Dad during
his memorial service. I’ve been to services when it
sounds like the speaker is just talking and didn’t really
know the person they are attempting to honor. You,
Carla, had had years of experience being around Dad to
lean upon, but also Carla listened and learned about his
younger years to be able to reflect upon his entire life.
So many parts of my faith journey came together during
that final month of Dad’s life and his service w/ Carla’s
words and my brother Alan’s words were just right that
day.
Music at Linn Grove—
Anne: First memory was Gladys playing and Margaret w/
her, Favorite hymn- In The Garden (that was a favorite
amongst family in Maine too)
Carol: The Brown Book, songs during Sunday School, a
favorite- Wake The Song, recalled Ruth Hanna for
spunky, snazzy tunes
Alan: recalls the Goudy girls and Wendy Hodgden
singing, one of the Goudy girls was really good
Linda: The Brown Hymnal, a favorite- Will There Be Any
Stars?, loved singing before Sunday school
Sharon: Loved the Brown Book and singing before
Sunday school, a few favorite hymns- Count Your
Blessings, Dwelling in Beulah Land, Bring Them In,
Wonderful Grace of Jesus (always loved hearing Betty
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Johnson hit those high notes at the end, also liked
singing in the choir w/ Springville when we’d perform
special Christmas and Easter music at the Penitentiary,
Vacation Bible School had jazzy fun music for the kids
too, easy for the children to learn and for me to play on
the piano at home for fun
General Memories from growing up at Linn Grove—
**Ringing the old bell and flying up in the air while
holding onto the rope—so many kids did that over the
years!
**Weekly Pix cartoon like comic book leaflets- we all
liked these and got a lot out of them, (Alan- originally,
they had just Bible stories and then they modernized as
we aged)
**Many hours spent and fun ping pong games were
played in the basement
**We all liked earning new Bars on our Sunday School
pins for each year
**Multiple of us kids over the years played the
autoharp
**It was fun to use the felt boards to recreate Bible
stories in Sunday school
Sharon memories
**Dad’s favorite hymn- What a Friend We Have in Jesus
**When I was up in the night nursing my babies, my
mind reverted to musical memories from Linn Grove.
The songs I would sing to K & S were the old hymns from
the brown book. I’m not sure I totally listened to the
lyrics as a child, but those were such good songs to rely
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upon as an adult in the wee hours w/ our children.
Music can be such a reassurance!
**Easter Sunrise Service- this was a favorite event in
spite of us kids complaining about getting up early!
There was something so special about getting to church
in the dark and truly witnessing the sun rise across the
fields to the East. A reminder that Hope springs eternal
at Linn Grove.
One year during the 80’s, we arrived at the church
WAY before anyone else. It was Daylight Savings Time,
so we needed to change the clocks at the church. We
kept wondering where everyone was and why it was still
so dark. With a bit of discussion, it was discovered that
before bedtime, Mom had changed the clocks at our
house and then Dad had also gone around and reset the
clocks. We were at the church an hour early!
**Pastor Nominating Committee- the only time I knew
much about the process was when oldest sister Carol
was on it in the 70’s. I was a kid, but I was so proud of
her! Through my young eyes, I saw her travel to hear
candidates preach and to interview them. I don’t recall
details, but I remember how I felt as the process took
place. She was part of making a difference and choosing
our next leader. They chose a good one too. That was
when young Pastor Steve came to us fresh out of the
seminary. He helped shape the faith of many!
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Ties that Bind
Linn grove Church stands on the south-east corner of
our farm where my Grandfather, John B. Strother lived
with his five children. His wife had passed away in 1921,
leaving kids nine years to 21 years. As we visited my
Grandfather, we could view the church so stately.
May 1933, I was four years old, my Grandfather and
widow- Ella Minor, were married. She was a
“wonderful” Grandmother that merged her six children
ages 10 to 20 years into this family. A great union.
Many families at Linn Grove had 2 to 6 kids in the family.
Linn Grove included the families of martin, Kirkpatrick,
Stewart, Richardson, Wickham, Lacock, Clark, Harris,
Kyle, Goudy, Boxwell, Bear, Fisher, Leigh, Koppenhaver,
Johnston, Kuntz, Strong, Davis, Kearns, Olsen, as well as
others. Linn Grove always had a great Sunday School
and church. I was in awe of the big kids at Linn Grove.
May 1937, I was eight years old, my Dad and I came
to Linn Grove to help clean up after the tornado ripped
off the north ¼ roof above the pulpit and choir area.
Bricks and mortar inside and outside. It took over three
months to get the building to a usable condition.
The fall of 1957, a new water well was drilled. There
was a plan to remove the small kitchen addition and
replace it with an enlarged dining area and larger
kitchen over a lower level and an upper living area
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above the dining room. The new addition also included
“indoor” restrooms!
In the heat of the summer, I would open the windows
Saturday evening, to cool the building. My Dad related
to me that he had done the same from 1916-1925. He
also said in the coldest part of winter, he would build a
Saturday fire in the two heating stoves o at the church
so it would be warm Sunday.
Through the years, Linn Grove has seen many
improvements. Electric lights, ceiling fans, hot water
heating, indoor restrooms and air condition and much
more have come over the years.
It is a great joy for me to see our young children
participate in the church service by lighting the candle,
and pouring the baptismal water. It is such a good
feeling to be asked to do a project. After the children’s
sermon, the youth, ages four to fourteen, may go to
their class headed by Alexis H. or Karol K.
We give thanks to all the ministers (fine and dedicated)
we have gotten to know through the years. 179 years
of service-keep up the good work, Linn Grove.
Richard Strother
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Membership 1933 -Dick Strother
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The land, The church and Family
My first memory of Linn Grove Church is attending the
Minor-Strother picnic to honor Dick’s grandfather, J. B.
Strother. In the early days the picnic was held at Linn
Grove on Father’s Day. One of the grandchildren asked
when the Major-Strother picnic was to be held!
One of my early memories was going to Linn Grove to
vote. Since Linn Township had no town, Linn Grove
Church was the designated voting place.
In those days, the sanctuary was heated by two large
wood burning stove. One of our nieces asked, “What was
that thing that was big, black and hot? “.
We moved to the Strother Farm in 1953 and I soon
learned Linn Grove was a very active church. At that time,
the pulpit was served often by students and some lived in
the living quarters over the dining area.
Dick’s father, Glenn, was a member of Linn Grove and
his Mother was a member of Martelle Christian Church.
It worked for them by alternating Sundays.
We feel very close to Linn Grove Church and its
members and are honored that it sits on the southeast
corner of our farm.
Donna Strother
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Music, Music, Music
For about half of the 179 years Linn Grove Presbyterian
church has been in existence, a Martin has been bringing
music to the congregation. Gladys Strother Martin
began playing the piano here at the tender age of 14, in
the early 1900s. When an organ was placed in the
church 1956, she took organ lessons. When her
daughter, Margaret Martin Koppenhaver was a teen, she
began playing the piano as a duet with her mother at
the organ. Gladys continued with Margaret at the piano
for many years until she retired and Margaret took over
full time.
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For many years, the choir of Linn Grove was large and
well known. Unfortunately, we have been without a
choir for a number of years. Below is a photo of the
1957 choir.
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Margaret continues to play for the congregation to this
day. We celebrated her gift of music last October with a
packed church of friends, church family and family
sharing their memories and appreciation.
Don and Margaret (Martin) Koppenhaver at her
celebration.
Margaret gets our toes tapping and our hearts singing
as she brings life and vitality to the music of Linn Grove.
Andrea Goudy, one among many who shared memoires
and wishes, summed up what we all feel, “Margaret has
brought so much life to Linn Grove with her music and
her infectious laughter. When she plays her music there
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is so much emotion that comes through that you can't
help but feel the Love and the Joy.”
To help celebrate her gift, another long-time family
brought music of their own. The Hanna family has a
long tradition of music. Lyle Hanna is remembered for
his voice in the choir and the music he brought through
the trombone. Lyle’s and Sandy’s children passed the
love of music to their children who keep the tradition
going through their children. Three of Lyle and Sandi’s
grandchildren, Isaac, Hannah and Micah Langley (Kim
(Hanna) and Jim Langley) continued that tradition by
singing and playing a number of instruments for
Margaret that day.
.
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All nine of the grandchildren and one cousin joined
together to sing a beautiful version of “I Was There to
Hear Your Borning Cry” for the newest cousin, Luke
Hanna (son of Brandon and Annie-number 10 of the
grandchildren ), who came home to Iowa from Texas to
be baptized by his Uncle, Jim Langley, here at Linn Grove
last year.
The Hanna family choir consisted of Isaac, Hannah and
Micah Langley (Kim and Jim) Sadie, Levi and Kenzie
Hanna (Kevin and Theresa) Allyson, Kaleb and Travis
Hanna (Kevin and Candace) and Sandi’s niece, Kamryn
Johanns.
Music speaks louder to the soul than mere words ever
will. Music is the language of love. Music is alive and
well at Linn Grove.
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You know they are Christians by their love
Would I be interested in doing a little pulpit supply, until
a long-term solution could be found? Absolutely! We
had lived in Martelle when we first moved to Iowa and I
knew several of the members. I would love the chance.
We wanted to visit before I started. After 30 minutes
of wandering due to my failed 20-year-old memory of
Linn Jones rather than Linn Grove Road, a trip to the C
store got us here just prior to the end of the service.
Pastor Karen invited us up to introduce us.
The love and presence of Christ was palpable the
moment we walked in Seven and a half years later, the
love continues to grow and the people of Linn Grove
continue to be the hands of feet of Christ in a chaotic
world. Time has taken some faces away. Some new
faces have joined us and felt the love that each person
of this tiny but mighty congregation shares.
They have been patient and supportive and willing to
try different ideas and worship experiences with me.
They have encouraged my growth as a person and
welcomed me into their lives in the darkest and happiest
of times. They have supported the children of the
church as the youth learn to give of themselves. They
have been involved in numerous efforts to benefit
others in the community and across the world. Miss
Margaret has shared her love of music and let me play
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with her as she did with her Mother. They have been
forgiving of my shortcomings and mistakes.
Miss Margaret lifts the hearts with music that stirs and
touches the soul in joy. You can hear it echo across the
fields. The music of God from the people of God.
For 179 years, there has been a home for the love of
God in this space. The bell, which used to ring regularly
still stands in front of the church, no longer resting in the
steeple. The children still ring it occasionally. The rich
fullness of its sound fills the air and lingers after the
children run off to play.
I don’t know what the future holds for any church. I
do know it has been an honor and a privilege to be a
small part Linn Grove’s history. My life has been forever
changed and my heart eternally tied to these people and
this place. The love will last long after we are gone.
Love lives here, in the heart of these people and this
land. You hear it in the lilt of music and stories of the
past, see it in the faces of the people who have been
touched by it and feel it in the gentle touch of the hands
that reach out. Whatever happens to us and the
building, I know, just as we feel the effects of the Linn
Grove Saints of the past, the love that has been started
here will echo across the lands for generations to come
and the Kingdom of God is closer because of this place.
Carla Burge
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This little book started as an invitation to share
something that was helping a person get them through
the troubling times of 2020. Quickly it evolved into ways
the Little Brick Church on the Hill at Linn Grove had
touched, inspired and sustained the lives of many over
the years. We dedicate this book to all the Saints who
have come through the doors of Linn Grove.
When the world gets back to normal and we can
safely meet again, Sunday School will still happen the
bell will be rung, great food will be shared, Christmas
will bring goody bags for the children, Easter will bring
an Egg Hunt and Sundays will bring love and laughter.
May these thoughts and memories inspire you to
remember your foundation of faith and bring a smile to
your face, perhaps a tear to your eye, but most of all, we
hope they bring calm to your soul and love to your
heart.
Blessings, light, love and laughter,
Pastor Carla Burge and the congregation of Linn Grove
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