With its replica shutters all in place and its sparkling new exterior paint, the Oysterville Church has never looked better! Everyone says so. And just this past week, the daisies in the garden beds around the building and in front of the picket fence have burst into flower. The lovely old building looks ready for another summer season.
Like every other place on the Peninsula, our church is at its busiest in the summer. Our long days are marked by a steady stream of visitors, most of whom take a free walking tour brochure and fan out around town to see the historic sites. Some folks linger a bit, sitting in the wooden pews, enjoying the quiet ambience, and perhaps reflecting on days gone by.
On many summer Saturdays, the churchyard is bright with excited flower girls and beautiful bridesmaids awaiting the arrival of the bride. I confess that I enjoy peeping out my windows on such occasions silently wishing them ‘all the best’ on this momentous occasion. (I hasten to add that, since I schedule all the church events, I take a somewhat proprietary interest in the goings-on, even though I’m not usually actively involved.)
The highlights of summer, of course, are the Music Vesper services which occur every Sunday afternoon from Father’s Day through Labor Day Weekend. These are the only regularly scheduled church services here and were conceived by my parents as a way of ensuring that the church would continue to be used for its ‘intended’ purpose.
Since 1980, the once Baptist church, has been owned and managed by the Oysterville Restoration Foundation (ORF). The Espy Family, to whom the church ownership reverted when the Baptists divested their interest, gifted the building to ORF to provide for its ongoing maintenance and its use as an ecumenical venue. The greater community has been wonderfully supportive of ORF’s efforts, as have visitors from near and far.
In just a few days, the 2013 Summer Vesper Schedule will be finalized. I have ‘insider information’ that it will be a varied and exciting season of music with ministers from many religious denominations presiding. The hour-long services are free and begin at 3:00 each Sunday afternoon. Each week’s collection basket goes toward maintenance of the historic building. Look for the schedule in the Chinook Observer or on the Restoration Foundation’s website at http://www.oysterville.org/ beginning June 1st.
As you know, Dave and I were married at the Oysterville Church in 1990 so it holds a special place in my heart. Somewhere I’ve got a video my uncle made of the occasion. Maybe I’ll rummage around and find it for viewing pleasure some evening!