PhotoFive little angels in the front pew with the Virgin Mary (Alyse Fischer Shetler) seated behind in this 1998 photo of the Big Brown Church Nativity play.

It’s been 75 years since the members of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches of Enterprise joined together to form The Enterprise Community Congregational Church, “that would be adequate and efficient to carry on the work they desired to do,” according to the newly formed congregation’s first “Church Report” from 1940.

“Lenthal was brought up Methodist, and I was a Presbyterian,” said Jo Bollman, who with her husband Lenthal after moving to Enterprise in 1949. “We were delighted to learn that these two denominations had united.”

Bollman, now a widow in her 90s, recalled many people and experiences enjoyed through their involvement in what is commonly referred to as The Big Brown Church, due to its iconic three story brown building at 301 NE First Street. Bollman remembered a church quartet consisting of Walter Strickler, Guy Craig, George Thompson and Howard Stover, and a duet of Lois Best and Helen Kay. “It was always a treat when they performed with Edna Craig at the organ.”

For the Church’s 50th Anniversary in 1990, Bollman took on the monumental task of organizing 50 years of newspaper clippings, photographs of past ministers, minutes from meetings, annual reports, and other historical documents. Addie Marks and Mary Louise Nelson are now the church historians. Today, the Church’s 75 year history is neatly contained in a long shelf of notebooks.

Bollman belonged to a group of women known as Stover Circle, and furnished a room at what was Shelter from the Storm. Today the group is known as Women’s Fellowship, and the shelter is called Safe Harbors. The women’s group support Safe Harbors, contribute to senior meals at Community Connections, and organize a monthly food drive. The group has also hosted the annual Christmas concert performed at the church by the Enterprise High School choir for more than 30 years. “It’s something we look forward to every year,” said member Lorraine Crawford.

In August 2015, church members started a new community outreach with 17 students at the alternative high school, run by Building Healthy Families. “We decided to look out our windows and see what we could do in our neighborhood and that sounded fun,” said church member Stacy Green. Because of the large expanse of grass behind the church’s historic building, church members invited Building Healthy Families to use the lawn for outdoor games for their children’s programs.

“I believe that is even stipulated in our bylaws,” said Shirley Parker, who with her husband Dave, has been a member for 53 years. Shirley, who currently serves as the church clerk, said, “the property was donated by Erna Ratcliff, and she wanted it enjoyed as much as possible.”

Erna Ratcliff passed away years ago, but her generosity lives on at the Big Brown Church. A special fund set aside by Ratcliff allows for needed capital improvements. “We can thank Erna for the beautiful pews we sit on each Sunday, as well as many other things,” recalled Shirley. Ratcliff’s daughter, Ann Payne, and her husband Tom, are active members of the church.

Gail Swart, a member of the church since she was a child, attended with her parents Gwen & Gladys Coffin. She was a Sunday school teacher, and church organist for 30 years. Current organist, Lois Hough, has been dedicating her efforts each week for more than twenty years. Swart occasionally takes over to give Hough a break, as she did September 13, teaming with Enterprise High school student Victoria Lattin who performed “How Great Thou Art.”

Swart recalled a favorite Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Ortman, who had been from an original pioneer family. “There was a group of us girls and we were supposed to have a new teacher each year but Mrs. Ortman just moved up with us,” Swart said.

The Big Brown Church has long been recognized as a progressive church, and became a member of the United Church of Christ in 1962.

One of the first churches to allow women to serve as pastors, the United Church of Christ’s motto is “That they may all be one.”

The original Church Report from 1940 stated, “The Church is facing a future in a thoroughly united spirit, with a knowledge and understanding of the work to be done…to meet the needs of a growing and enthusiastic membership, and one of the important duties is planning wisely for the future.” It seems the 1940 members of the Enterprise Community Congregational Church succeeded in doing just that.

The Enterprise Community Congregational Church will host their 75th Diamond Jubilee Celebration on Sunday, October 11. Doors open at 9 a.m. with tours, visiting and history displays. A special two hour service with recognition and guest speakers begins at 10 a.m., followed by a luncheon prepared by Women’s Fellowship. Pastor Don McBride will lead the service. All who have had a past association with the church or would simply like to help us celebrate, are invited.