Posted at: 10/21/2012 9:45 PM
Updated at: 10/21/2012 10:42 PM
By: Brittany Lewis
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Email to a FriendBrownsdale Church Celebrates 75th Anniversary
(ABC 6 News) -- Seventy-five years ago, the Our Savior Lutheran Church established its roots in Brownsdale.
Sunday, members spent the day celebrating that anniversary.
At 93-years-old, Jeanette Clayton is one of the most popular people at the church.
"I didn't know I was such a celebrity," said Clayton.
That's because she's the only charter member still living.
"I've gone here all my life," she said.
Our Savior celebrated it's 75th year with a service and a celebration. Photos and a video displayed the church's history. The memories were very real to Clayton.
"All those dear people who were so so dedicated," said Clayton.
For her daughter, Ann, images of her grandparents made the anniversary even more special.
"My grandpa walking beside the church and uh my grandma always with an apron," said Ann.
A funeral home stood as the original site of the church. It was established in 1937 after moving 20 miles from the Hayfield area. Each mile the church moved, Clayton's father did too.
"He walked next to it the whole time," she said.
That original church holds many significant memories of Fifer's childhood.
"Things that I have forgotten are here, the wanes coating on the walls, the altar. I didn't know what happened to it but it stayed, the podium," she said.
The church moved to its current location in 1982 and has seen many changes, including a decreasing youth membership.
"When I was here, there was more family oriented than it is now, it's more older," remembered John Holse.
But Clayton is positive about the future.
"Its in good hands," she said.
Church leaders say this isn't the last anniversary they plan to celebrate.
The church named the street where they built the newest location, and they chose Peace Street.
