I asked the congregation why they worship at Rock Presbyterian Church and if they are grateful for anything about our small though resilient church. A common theme was the idea that this church has been an extended family for members and has showed up for them in difficult times. Here are some of the answers:
“In 1951, when I was a teenager, the pastor came by and invited my family (my parents, brother, and sister) to attend Rock. My attendance was regular until sometime in 1954 , with a lapse until the early ‘60s, when I returned with my wife and two children.
Attendance for study and worship is something that seems necessary in my life and now is especially important in my ‘golden years.’
I am grateful for the lifegiving support I have received and continue to receive from members (and some saints and pastors) at Rock.”
—Ivan Wallace
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“I worship at Rock because I was brought up in this church from day one. There were years as a child that I wasn’t here because of my dad’s travel for work but we always came back. My grandparents’ history with this church began before the church was built; they were a part of the building of the church and continued as active members until they passed. I still feel and see their presence here.
Life changes kept me away in some of my younger adulthood, but when I came back to church I knew it had to be here and I have not and will not ever leave again. It is home, it is so comforting to be around the history and the people that have come and gone in those years. I can always smile when I think about events and people from the past.
I am so grateful that even though there has been splits, controversies, adversities, and turmoil, the people that are here want to be here together to worship as a family. We work as a team of Christians to offer everything we can, even if we cannot do as much as we want.”
—Linda Hardgrave
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“I worship at Rock because I like the fellowship. I am grateful for the few of us left at Rock who stayed through lots of hard times. We carried on through the struggles at Rock because of our family bond.”
—Cindy Jones
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“I believe the reason why I keep coming back is the family and the families that are the history of Rock. As few as we are, we all have history with our families at Rock. At one time, everyone knew everyone’s family members, and most of their business too! Lol!!
My mum didn’t want us to go to the Baptist church with my dad, so she drove us every Sunday (Wednesday nights, too) from Crystal City to Imperial for church in the 1960s. We would then spend the afternoon at my grandparents’ house. Many in the Rock family taught us in Bible school. My brothers and I were all baptized at Rock. My mum, grandma, great aunts, and aunt all sang in the choir. My great aunt, Shirley Boyer, played the organ during her final years. She had played at St Joseph’s
Catholic church when it was in Kimmswick, for I believe 40 some years. My Mum loved singing. She had a beautiful voice. Rehearsal night was always fun, too. We kids would play shuffleboard, other many other games, and just be kids having fun with the Rock family kids. My brother Chris was an acolyte. My aunt was married there. I was her flower girl! Mary Price was her maid of honor and vice versa! My grandmother, Dorothy Boyer Heinze, wrote a history of Rock. My grandfather, Albert Heinze, helped put the cross on the steeple. He made a special cross for Easter that remained in the church for decades. Made from real trees and tied together with a rope. He did many other projects and construction as well. He and Grandma helped keep up the flower beds. I’m sure there were many things they did. I don’t remember or didn’t know them all.
Eight years ago, when I broke my legs, Mum and I were both members of Grace Presbyterian in Crystal City. She lived in Festus and loved to sing in the choir. I had been living in Festus, too, and followed Mum. When I was able to get in and out of a car (though with great difficulty and pain), we started going to Rock since it was closer and the easiest for me, given my situation. I was embarrassed by my wheelchair and overall condition. However, our Rock family welcomed us with open, loving arms and help.
We were both shocked by the number of people in attendance. 12-20 people on average. It was heartbreaking. I remember the church being full. Families had their ‘usual spots’ they sat in every week. Whole families were there covering generations. We passed a registration book and had many visitors as well. I’m not sure if Mum changed her membership to Rock, but I did. In 2018, she was looking forward to August so she could go back and sing with the Grace choir. I understood completely. I told her I didn’t have much to offer Rock as far as money, but I wanted to support our little country family church. She understood completely. We agreed to visit each other’s church as well.
When Mum changed her address to heaven, I was lost, literally. I was just learning to walk with a walker, but I was still dependent on the wheelchair. When I asked the church if I could hold her Celebration of Life there, they didn’t hesitate a bit. I didn’t have any money for food, etc. The ladies of the church (and Dan) all chipped in and we had a fabulous meal. It was extremely overwhelming for me, but Rock helped me to make it a true celebration. We had a standing room only capacity!! The choir from both Grace and Trinity combined their talents and blessed us with beautiful anthems for the occasion. It warmed my soul to the extreme!! I’ll never be able to repay them for ALL they did, have done and are still doing for me. For this type of family, love, and care, I will continue to return to Rock. Yes, there’s a great family at Grace, but not one that has the depth of Rock’s family to me personally. I wish I could do more, offer more, than I’m able at present. The good Lord is helping me to improve my situation a little bit every day. I am forever grateful for His love and kind and gentle hands.
As an example of this Rock Family I speak of, I want to share my experience with the First Baptist church when my biological father changed his address to heaven. My father’s family was hugely influential and was a participating family in many respects. My grandmother, Beulah Church, started the Bible school. My grandfather, father, uncles, and many relatives were deacons, elders, ushers, etc. I notified the church when I had to put Dad in the nursing home in Festus. He never received a card, a visitor, or communion from the First Baptist Church. Reverend Carter from Grace came to give him communion. Grace sent cards. When my Dad changed his address to heaven, I again notified the church of his situation. The pastor then told me the ladies would fix a fine meal and we could use the fellowship hall for his Celebration of Life. It would only cost me $250 and any donations I’d like to give. I was livid. I told the pastor about my disappointment over the last year-and-a-half. He hadn’t shown up even once, had no cards, or visitors, etc. Nothing! But you’ll take my money plus donations!! I told him we were having a small gathering at his favorite spot, the Crystal City Boat Club. I would be honored if he would come and say a few words for my father. Fortunately, I had already asked Reverend Carter to speak. It was a good thing. I never received a card, phone call, nothing. The Baptist pastor didn’t even show up. This is not what I call a family church like we have at Rock.
What am I grateful for when I think about Rock? A safe sanctuary, a real family that truly cares. I think about ALL the souls that are still among us. I think about my family and the friends that have been made, new and old! It’s the little country family church I spoke of earlier!! I will continue to worship at Rock as long as I’m able. Partly because of family history but most importantly the family of this church. It amazes me how it has still kept together. The work of a few used to be the work of dozens. I hope we remain intact. Someday, I will be able to support more and do more than I have since my return. I’m grateful for the continued support and understanding.”
—Noelle Michler
Blog Post Compiled by
Rev. Joseph Chapman
Rock Presbyterian Church &
Mercy Virtual Care Chaplain
