Salem Lutheran Church celebrates 125 Years of Faith and Tradition

Salem Lutheran Church celebrates 125 Years of Faith and Tradition

Salem Lutheran Church, a small country church nestled between Nelson and Superior, celebrated its 125th anniversary on Sunday, marking more than a century as a steadfast spiritual home for generations of families. Since its founding in 1899, Salem has witnessed countless births, weddings and funerals, standing as a place of worship, support and community for all who call it home.

Though the church has made changes over the years, its foundation remains as solid as ever, reflected in the anniversary's theme, "Built on a Solid Foundation." The day was filled with reflections on Salem's rich past and joyous celebrations of its enduring faith as the congregation gathered to honor this significant milestone.

Approximately 250 people celebrated the 125th anniversary. The attendees included longtime members and newer faces, all coming together to mark this significant milestone. The event drew a heartfelt crowd from the local community and beyond, reflecting the church's enduring importance in the lives of its members.

The anniversary service was led by Pastor Ethan Feistner, a second-generation pastor who continues his family's legacy. Ethan's leadership has strengthened the bond between the church and its members, just as his father once did.

The service featured the baptisms of Krew Gerald Epley, Amelia McKinney Gebers and Elise Marie Hild, symbolizing not only the church's continued growth but also the passing of faith to the next generation. Later in the afternoon, Pace D. Shroyer was also baptized, further marking this special day with a meaningful moment of faith.

Special music performed by Rob Williams and his daughter, Stephanie Thayer, filled the sanctuary with uplifting harmonies. In addition, the church's children delighted attendees with a heartfelt song, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the younger generation. Stacey Shroyer photographed the day's memories, ensuring the special moments will be remembered for years to come.

After the service, the congregation gathered for a time of fellowship, where a catered meal was served and members contributed an array of salads and desserts. Commemorative T-shirts were sold as keepsakes of the event, and a pictorial of the celebration will soon be available for purchase. In addition, a short film documenting reflections from some of the church's older members was shared, offering insights into the deep history and legacy of Salem Lutheran.

The 125th-anniversary celebration was a powerful reminder of Salem Lutheran Church's lasting impact on its members and community, continuing to serve as a pillar of faith, tradition, and fellowship. As Salem looks to the future, it stands, as the theme suggests, firmly "Built on a Solid Foundation."

Approximately 250 people celebrated the 125th anniversary of Salem Lutheran Church, a small country church nestled between Nelson and Superior, Sunday. Back row center: Freya Bargen, Ben Bargen, Remy Bargen, Casey Bargen, Mayz Bargen, Brittyn Bargen, Zander Wilcox, Zachary Wilcox, Kris Wilcox, Zaiden Wilcox, Jim Sund, 4th from front left side: Dustin Schoneberg (standing), Rochelle Schoneberg, Macoy Schoneberg, Hadley Schoneberg, Vicki Williams, Harper Ross, Beckett Bohlen, Rob Williams (standing), Brette, Gebers, Morgan Wrich, Baby Amelia Gebers, Seth Gebers, Kim Gebers, Tom Gebers, Margene Eitzmann, Norris Eitzmann (standing), Dave Gebers (standing), Sherri Gebers (standing), center 4th from front Soren Frahm, Lexie Frahm, Shane Frahm, Dixie Bargen, Steve Bargen, Cherokee Schofield, Tammy Frahm, Amy Sellers, 4th from front right side: Lorraine Smith, Jim Smith, Kyllie Kinley, Chris Meyer, Teresa Frahm Meyer, Matraca Keller, Steve Gebers, Diane Gebers, Jaynie Spirk, 3rd from front left side: Reagan Schoneberg, Madden Ross, Hayes Schoneberg, Tate Ross, Sonja Ross, center 3rd from front: Sherri Gebers, Stella Frahm, Ross Montgomery, Emma Montgomery, Courtney Montgomery, Cheryl Mohler, Carl Mohler, Sally Frahm Drudrik, Arlan Drudrik, Payton Williams, standing: Nancy Hall Kottmeyer, Pastor Ethan Feistner, Dakota Thayer, 3rd from front right side: Stacy Shroyer, Susan Watson, Julie Meyer, Janice Smidt, Ruth Epley, Edd Epley, Elenaor Stiles, Charlie Stiles, Lynette Feistner Grueber, Carol, Mueller, 2nd from front left side: Ethan Epley, Dana Epley, Hallie Epley, Emma Epley, Cole Epley, Amber Epley, Baby Krew Epley, Jarred Shroyer, Quinn Shroyer, Hannah Shroyer, Baby Pace Shroyer, Swade Shroyer, Phyliss Shroyer, center 2nd from front middle: Kim Heil, Odette Pierce, Emmett Pierce, Carissa Pierce, Sue VanSkiver, Max VanSkiver, Drew Giesenhagen, Courtney Giesenhagen, Jaxson Giesenhagen, 2nd from front left side: Nancy Hofts, Ron Hofts, Murlene Schleufer, Irvin Schleufer, Rosemary Anderson, Dawn Caldwell, Matt Caldwell, Tracy Mueller Knezevic, Glen Mueller, left front side: Hayden Epley, center front: Dennis Gebers, Tad Frahm, Robert Frahm, Dale Frahm, Pat Frahm, Deanna Tuttle, Chuck Tuttle, Sheila Jaeb, right front side: Breckyn Bohlen, Kellie Feistner, Deb Troudt, Steve Troudt, Jannell Hanson, Alfred Hanson, Dennis Shroyer, Sonia Smidt, back row center: Freya Bargen, Ben Bargen, Remy Bargen, Casey Bargen, Mayz Bargen, Brittyn Bargen, Zander Wilcox, Zachary Wilcox, Kris Wilcox, Zaiden Wilcox, Jim Sund, 4th from front left side: Dustin Schoneberg (standing), Rochelle Schoneberg, Macoy Schoneberg, Hadley Schoneberg, Vicki Williams, Harper Ross, Beckett Bohlen, Rob Williams (standing), Brette, Gebers, Morgan Wrich, Baby Amelia Gebers, Seth Gebers, Kim Gebers, Tom Gebers, Margene Eitzmann, Norris Eitzmann (standing), Dave Gebers (standing), Sherri Gebers (standing), center 4th from front Soren Frahm, Lexie Frahm, Shane Frahm, Dixie Bargen, Steve Bargen, Cherokee Schofield, Tammy Frahm, Amy Sellers, 4th from front right side: Lorraine Smith, Jim Smith, Kyllie Kinley, Chris Meyer, Teresa Frahm Meyer, Matraca Keller, Steve Gebers, Diane Gebers, Jaynie Spirk, 3rd from front left side: Reagan Schoneberg, Madden Ross, Hayes Schoneberg, Tate Ross, Sonja Ross, center 3rd from front: Sherri Gebers, Stella Frahm, Ross Montgomery, Emma Montgomery, Courtney Montgomery, Cheryl Mohler, Carl Mohler, Sally Frahm Drudrik, Arlan Drudrik, Payton Williams, standing: Nancy Hall Kottmeyer, Pastor Ethan Feistner, Dakota Thayer, 3rd from front right side: Susan Watson, Julie Meyer, Janice Smidt, Ruth Epley, Edd Epley, Elenaor Stiles, Charlie Stiles, Lynette Feistner Grueber, Carol, Mueller, 2nd from front left side: Ethan Epley, Dana Epley, Hallie Epley, Emma Epley, Cole Epley, Amber Epley, Baby Krew Epley, Jarred Shroyer, Quinn Shroyer, Hannah Shroyer, Baby Pace Shroyer, Swade Shroyer, Phyliss Shroyer. center 2nd from front middle: Kim Heil, Odette Pierce, Emmett Pierce, Carissa Pierce, Sue VanSkiver, Max VanSkiver, Drew Giesenhagen, Courtney Giesenhagen, Jaxson Giesenhagen, 2nd from front left side: Nancy Hofts, Ron Hofts, Murlene Schleufer, Irvin Schleufer, Rosemary Anderson, Dawn Caldwell, Matt Caldwell, Tracy Mueller Knezevic, Glen Mueller, left front side: Hayden Epley, Center Front: Dennis Gebers, Tad Frahm, Robert Frahm, Dale Frahm, Pat Frahm, Deanna Tuttle, Chuck Tuttle, Sheila Jaeb, right front side: Breckyn Bohlen, Kellie Feistner, Deb Troudt, Steve Troudt, Jannell Hanson, Alfred Hanson, Dennis Shroyer and Sonia Smidt. Photo by Stacey Shroyer.