Just as my Dad’s family was ingrained into a local congregation so was my Mom’s family. In fact there was an old building right beside the Church which was the one-room school house.
My mom remembers when it was torn down and wishes they had done more to stop that from happening. Life happens though and when people forget history its forgotten. Although I believe there may have been some of that building on my parents wedding day in the photos taken that day in 1984. So it wasn’t long afterward that the building was torn down. If I had been born and had a say things might have been different.
Great-Grandma Mattie was a force to reckon with, so I have been told. I have also been told I take after her a little bit in certain ways. She was a woman grit and determination for sure. Church was incredibly important to this woman living through the Great Depression and having a spouse with a condition such as William Lucius had must have given her those abilities to become such a force.
She sang in a Church group that traveled the length of Greene County. She sang Bass in this group. Grandma Mattie and her musical talent is what spurred Grandpa Freddy to encourage his kids and grandchildren into taking lessons with piano and other instruments. Her God given talent has moved through our family through generations.
Her only daughter, Maxine was also musically talented. Isn’t it funny how Church and musical talent go hand in hand? This is also what I love about my family; how it is all connected to being a part of the Church Community. Great-Aunt Maxine was the first in our family to go to Oakland City University. Something I had no idea about until 2003 when I needed a new plan for my education. I was literally able to walk in the steps of my Aunt at a Baptist University and was able to get a scholarship because of that fact.
One decision that affected multiple generations. I am very grateful for God’s provision.
Mom began playing as the pianist at age 13, when Edith Bedwell decided to retire from the position. Then Mom and Uncle Tony began to play back and forth every other Sunday. I should also mention Mom’s cousin Sherry who sings a cappella, also a talented granddaughter of Mattie Alsman.
We have an old Church sign from Bethel that had been in a fire. My Uncle Tony tells this story very vividly. Seeing that sign reminds me of how tied our family was to that Church for a few generations. Looking through Grandpa’s file cabinets I found lots and lots of paperwork for plays that my family were in including Grandpa and my uncles. I had never known my family were known to be thespians. This word means actor not anything else.
Bethel Church brought the Alsman Family together in so many ways I didn’t fathom until I went searching.
A few years ago I for the first time since I was a baby stepped inside the Church for service. The moment was not lost on me knowing some of the stories I grew up listening to. It was an incredible couple of months. There were new faces, but names I had heard of my entire life. After all my parents were married in this Church I have seen photos. Mom even took me with her one time to practice with Phyllis Hiat at the Church and I remember how big the Church looked to me as a little girl.
Jewells of Thought 
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