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“Celebrating
100 years with The Lipscomb Union Church”
1907 - 2007
Lipscomb,
Texasby
Rob McLain |
The
Lipscomb Union Church
Photo courtesy Rob McLain, May 2007 |
The
church bells rang twice that morning, once at 10:00 AM and once at 10:30 AM but
it was only supposed to ring the 2nd time to mark the beginning of the service.
Even though the 1st time was in error it sent a chill down my spine as my mind
started to wonder what the 1st members of Lipscomb Union Church were doing one-hundred
years ago when the doors opened and what my Great Grandfather, Raymond Akers,
and my Grandmother, Lola Akers, were doing when they attended. I’m sure they were
making sure all was running smoothly for the pastor and the congregation was warm
in the winter.
My Great Grandfather, Raymond Akers, moved to Lipscomb
County in 1909 with his parents and siblings. He later built his house one mile
south of Lipscomb in 1927
were his wife Alice and there four girls lived, Beth, Melba, Lola, and Avis. He
was very involved in the church for over forty years until his passing in 1966.
He served as Sunday School Superintendent, Bible Teacher and even Santa Claus.
He was also responsible for adding the Annex to allow more room for Sunday school. |
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The
Lipscomb Union Church 100th year celebration
Photo courtesy Rob McLain, May
2007 |
| Many
attended the two day celebration on May 26th and 27th. The old School
was opened up and Supper was served both days along with the opportunity to fellowship
with friends and Family and share the memories of the Church while enjoying scrap
books and stories that many had prepared and written. There were four Pastors
that had made the Church home in the past along with many longtime and current
members in attendance. Dave Lawton, a former pastor, delivered the Sermon to the
packed church house. After the service was over a special dedication was made
to my family and my cousin Winnell Rankin for all there hard work they did and
all the sacrifices made to keep the church doors open. They gave us stone benches
for each family with the names engraved along with two new trees in what will
be called the prayer garden. Although the Akers and Rankins were honored many
families throughout Lipscomb County have made contributions to help keep the church
doors opened and in time all will receive some type of recognition. |
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Christmas
tree at Lipscomb Union Church taken at 2:45 PM
Vintage Photo courtesy Rob McLain |
Lipscomb,
TX is a special and quiet community and I was very honored to attend in my
Great Grandfather’s and my family’s place. I have enjoyed going to the family
farm since I was six and look forward to always going back to the peaceful slow-paced
environment of the town. Although the farm house is a little run down the land
is still as majestic as the day he first set foot on it and began to farm. I am
fortunate to have this in my family and look forward to keeping his tradition
alive while keeping it in the Family name.
Rob McLain – 4th generation
Akers |
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