Big Sandy Church of God is preparing for its 100 year birthday celebration, which will be held October 10th at the Church of God. The congregation is planning on celebrating the day by inviting the community to a barbecue with games and activities for families. The decision was made to combine the anniversary event with the annual Brisket Cook-Off. Lunch will feature barbecued brisket, as well as grilled hamburgers and other options. Anyone interested in learning more about the celebration, wanting to share a bit of the history of our congregation, or participating in the cook-off can contact me (Erik Sietsema 399-3803).
Big Sandy Community Church of God was founded in 1921 by Pastor E. C. Amondson, who traveled from Minnesota throughout the Northwestern United States planting Church of God churches. Amongst the founding members were Anita Cook's mother, Elsie Black. Other early members included the Archibald family and the Lunds. Anita recalls that the Lund family were some of the earliest leaders of the church. Mountaineer articles from 1921 mention the Lund homestead as the location for early meetings. According to the "Gathering of Memories" history of Big Sandy: "Early services were held in the Old Mckenzie store building and later in the 100F Hall. They also worshipped at the Bitz school and the Lincoln school west of town. The first church building was an old school house moved in from north of Box Elder." The building was placed at the location still occupied by the Church of God today. In 1957, the congregation broke ground on a new building. Walter Buchholz, Anita's father was instrumental in much of the construction. Her husband, Glenn, helped with the completion of the building.
The "Gathering of Memories" book's history of the churches in our community describes the founding of the various congregations in town from around 1900 to the 1920s. The importance of these church bodies to the community is put well: "Hard times came, farmers went broke, businesses closed and many people left the community. The churches, however, stood firm." As the most recent of many pastors at Big Sandy Church of God, I am proud to be part of this tradition and this family. Please join us as we celebrate a century of standing firm with families in good times and lean ones.
