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Show Sunday, September 4, 2005 DAILY 87 HERALD Sunrise ~ Medical Total Adult Primary Care Internal Medicine 36N. 1100 E., Suite D * American Fork 1/2 block south of AF Hospital Specializing in: Skin Care: * Depression, Anxiety * Botox * Chronic Fatigue + Hypertension + Microdermabrasion * Fibromyalgia «Wrinkle Fillers mone Replacement Therapy wsicals — Premarital, Yearly, Mission ironic Pain Rebecca P Tanner, M.D. 763-2111 feight Control * Diabetes. Heart and Lung Disease + Adult Immunizations * Geriatrics CHARLIE NEIBERGALL /Associated Press, The Rev.Linda Myren stands at the entry to the Little Brown Church, June 29, near Nashua, Iowa. After more than 72,000 weddings and visits from as many as 60,000 tourists annually, the Little Brown Churchis celebrating its 150th year. Bernina Accessories Specially Priced! FamousLittle Brown Church turns 150 Michielle optizer HE ASSOCIATEDPRES church onthat very spot — or ‘ASHUA,lowa — Truckers stop by to Say a quick prayer, couplesfrom as far awayas Australia come to get married and many visitors are so inspired that they belt out the song that made the “little brown churchin the vale” famous. After more than 72,000 weddings andvisits from as many as 60,000 tourists annually, the Little Brown Churchis celebrating its 150th year. Festivities included the group renewal of marriage vows, an annualevent that the Rev. Linda Myrensaidis “like a big find. Pitts, who moved to Iowa in 1862,learned of the church, and his song was performed at the dedication in 1864. The Weatherwax Brothers, a barbershop quartet, made the song popular in the early 1900s. ivory key. Myrensaid her congregation todayis 100 strong. old family reunion.” Shesaid 337 couples from 19 states signed theregistry this year. Those married 55 years or more wereallowedinside the church. The others stood out- In 1947,there were1,344 weddingsat the church. While that has declined in recent years to about 400 a year, couplesstill come from around the side, in a tent nestled in a grove of trees. “This year, twoof the past world to be married in the Little Brown Church. ministers were back... and it A German couple wed at the churchafter finding the happi- ing to people they had married in the ‘60s and ’70s,” Myren said. The church's congregation and asking wherethey got married, Myren said. “They said they wanted to start off right.” Myren said. Congregational Ecclesiastical Society of Bradford. Traveling preachersled services in homes ing married at the church a tradition — four generations of one family were married here, Myrensaid. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-lowa, was wonderfulto see them talk- was founded in 1855 as the First and behindstorefronts. Dr. William S.Pitts, a Wis- consin music teacher taking a stagecoach through the area to meethis fiancee in Fredericks- burgin the 1850s, passed by the wooded glen along the Cedar River where the church now sits and wasinspired to write the song, “The Church in the Wildwood.” *thicicin aweeen is an awesome place because I've sung aboutthe ‘little brown churchin the vale’all my life. To beinside is wonderful.” was the simply the cheapest paint the worshippers could Thetiny church, which seats about150, still has many of its originalfeatures, including pews madeofpine and walnut, brasslampsthat once burned oil and a pumporgan witha worn-out pedal and a missing Betsy Bugg Louisville, KY, resident who visited the church “It's gotten to be a song not a lot of people have heard,” she said. Schools no longerteachit becauseit is thought to be religious song and churches do not use it because it doesn’t mention God, Myren said. In an attempt to keep the songalive, she has students learn the song whentheyvisit the churchonfield trips. Newlyweds Jan and Alan Whitesell, of Apollo Beach,Fla., est married couple they knew Somefamilies consider be- were married at the church in a 20-minute ceremony on a recent summermorning. She had grown upsinging about the church. Hevisited it with his family as a young boy married.” After the bride dried her Sam-10am eyesand a fewphotos were taken,the couple headed to the entrance of the church and, together, pulled the rope that rings the churchbells, something every couple married BERNINA 200E 10am-11am $2500istirctie with purchase! there has done. “Youhavetolearnto pull together,” Myrentold the newly married couple as the bells rang. “Through all the ups and downsyou have to work together.” Betsy Bugg, 66, of Louisville, Ky., was overcome with emo- tion when she walkedinto the church, “This is an awesomeplace becauseI've sung about the ‘little brown churchin the vale’ all my life,” Bugg said. “Tobe inside is wonderful.” Afterslowly walking around,looking at old photos and taking some snapshots with friends, Bugg stood near the pulpit and began singing, “There's a churchin the valley by the wildwood...” Procite nen PoaCeat) Deae growing up in Waterloo, howe: “This is special, very memo- NOTHING! sano brand) aeo=x=:s-st rable,” Jan Whitesell said. “This 1. said whenhe married his wife Barbaraat the church in 1954 there werelinesof couples waiting fortheir turn. Someofhis guests arrived early and thought they were at the wrong church because they walkedin on an earlier wedding. “Barbara cameto the church Its openinglines: “There's a churchin the valley by the wildwood, 15 minuteslate and the pastor wanted to get going because “No lovelier spot in the dale; “Noplaceis so dear to my hildhood, “Asthelittle brown church in the vale.” The congregation had never heard the song whenit built its ape were wailing,” Grassley said. Myrenthinks the church's popularity may be declining because the song that madeit famous isn't widely sung anymore. Ft)See eatd RCWilley 30% off is where people come to get whenit chosetopaintthelittle church brown.Atthetime,it HEA preVTtH ia hoose from many combinations: including latex, and space age Tupag Ll Reliable Delivery: Come to a (cee seminar Attend ourfree seminar andlearn what you can do aboutkneeor hip pain. 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