FeedsGoing strong
Church marks 160 years in area
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The Beasleys—Marion, Norm and Paul—are one of the three-generational families to worship at the 160-year-old First Congregational Church of Wayne.One hundred and sixty years ago, 10 members of the Wayne community got together in the old Wayne schoolhouse.
They weren’t there for a lesson, though, they were there because they wanted to form a new church—there was only in the area and the minister, Marcus Swift, served the entirety of what was then Nankin Township, often preaching as many as 31 sermons every month.
From that meeting, the First Congregational Church of Wayne was born, a parish that has lasted through the years and weathered a few storms here and there.
“It’s a very prominent piece in the history of Wayne,” said Linda Beasley, a long-time member who currently runs the church office. “We were right on the main road and it made us very visible.”
Beasley is a member of one of the families that have three generations of members active in the church. Her mother-in-law, Marion, has been a member since 1947, her sons are active, too.
Marion Beasley has seen six pastors come and go, but there’s one thing that has stayed the same.
“The people,” she said. “Everybody is friendly, helping each other. It’s just a wonderful church.”
The original structure was constructed in 1848 on a budget of $1,200. It hosted important meetings during the Civil War and was renovated in 1910 and shared with the Methodist congregation until 1862.
The structure at 2 Town Square is not the original one; it was constructed in 1971 after a fire destroyed the original building in 1970.
“The only thing left was the parlor,” said Linda Beasley, who was married there.
“They took me right in,” she added of the congregation. “They made me a part of their fellowship.”
The congregation has celebrated their anniversary in many different ways, according to long-time member Connie Chicky. They kicked it off with postal stamps that celebrated the 160-year history. The board of deacons recently spearheaded a drive for new bibles for the church pews, which were dedicated in a church service followed by an all-church luncheon hosted by the women’s fellowship. That service featured a musical video entitled ‘Stepping Stones,’ in which each ‘stone’ was a picture of a member of the congregation with an anniversary wish or memory.
The anniversary year will continue, she added, with an upcoming visit to the Congregational Church of Detroit and a new anniversary cookbook that will be introduced during the annual church fair in November.
Linda Beasley said she was happy to be a part of the church and to bring up her family there, too. Her husband, Norm, helps out at the church and her children were very active in the youth ministry.
“We stay connected here,” she said. “It’s a place we love; it’s a job of the heart.
“In these hard times the church competes with so many things in society,” she added. “But it’s doing well. It’s thriving.”
