WHAT A WONDERFUL CELEBRATION YEAR!

Our Sesquicentennial celebration year in 2008 is now in the past.  We want to thank all the people who helped in any way, and who came to join us in celebrating, some from long distances.  It was a fantastic year, with many meaningful events.  We especially thank the History Committee for all of the time they spent in advance planning and history collection.  Special thanks to our "point person", Joanne Chadima, and to Terry Zahradnik for organizing events and producing power point presentations.  There were so many who helped, and we thank each one - you know who you are!

- The History Committee
  Joanne Chadima, Barb Horak, Janice Horak, Ed Vavra, Tom Vavra and the Rev. Heather Hayes.

150th Celebration Weekend
Click the above link to read about our Sesquicentennial Celebration weekend!

Our Church Sesquicentennial Year, 1858-2008
Click the above link for celebrations we held throughout the year.

 

A BLAST ABOUT THE PAST

During our 150th year Janice Horak has provided historic glimpses into our church family's past called "A Blast About the Past" on a monthly basis in the church newsletter, the Salt Shaker. 

Click on the months below to view the .pdf files, which will open in a new browser window.  Close it to return to this page.  If you do not have a .pdf viewer, click here to download one. 

December 2008 (134 kb)
November 2008 (166 kb)
October 2008 (114 kb)
September 2008 (140 kb)
August 2008 (102 kb)
July 2008 (70 kb)
June 2008 (115 kb)
May 2008 (157 kb)
April 2008 (182 kb)
March 2008 (154 kb)
February 2008 (154 kb)
January 2008 (132 kb)
December 2007 (60 kb)

 

The history committee is proud of the two brand-new church history booklets that are now available.

150TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY BOOKLETS

Our First 50 Years Serving Our Lord:
Ed Vavra researched and wrote this 42-page in-depth look at the earliest history of our church, from how conditions in Bohemia & Moravia were such that our early immigrants sought religious freedom in the United States, their journey, how our church was established, and the history of Rev. Frantisek Kun, how he came to our church, and became a missionary to many immigrant groups in the Midwest, founding many churches.  The booklet helps us understand why our little church was so important in those early days and is a very good read.

150 Years Serving Our Lord: 
This 36-page update history focuses on how music has played an important role through our church history, as well as church organization history (such as the women's and youth groups), biographies of pastors that have served since the 1950s, and greetings from former pastors.

$3.00 each or 2 for $5.00

ORDER BY MAIL:

1) Please send a note with your name, mailing addresss telephone number and/or email address.

2) Indicate which booklet(s) you wish to purchase and the total amount.

3) Enclose a check made out to "First Presbyterian Church Near Ely" for the total plus $1.00 for mailing cost. 

4) Send to:
First Presbyterian Church Near Ely
c/o History Committee
11100 Spanish Road
Ely, Iowa 52227

(or call 319-848-4624)