poem

Faith Lutheran Church

The Church On The Rock
(Dedicated to Mrs. Signe Chilstedt)

There was a group of God-fearing Swedes,
Who longed for a church of their own.
They had faith in their hearts, and showed it by deeds,
As they planned their church, built on stone.

It was long years ago when they started to meet,
Back in the year eighty-nine.
And for three hopeful years, parted chaff from the wheat
At the home of those Christians so fine.

Then they decided to build their new home
And they looked around for a place.
They wanted a spot where they'd never have to roam,
And they could talk to their Lord face to face.

They looked high and low, and found one on high,
On Granite Street near Quincy Square.
And when they got through, it reached to the sky,
The Wonderous Cross, to help you get "There".

They piled stone on stone, it was back-breaking work,
But to them 'twas a labor of Love.
They all did their job; they seldom did shirk,
As they toiled for the Prince Up Aboce.

The bulk of the work was done by the men,
One gives credit where credit is due.
But three cheers should resound again and again
For the good ladies, God bless them, too.

There were seventeen women, the men numbered twenty,
The "Church On The Rock" they did start.
Their joyknew no bounds, of His Faith they had plenty,
For they all had a God-fearing heart.

Most all have gone home to their last resting place,
They've all done their work for the Lord.
And now they're all happy in seeing His face
As they enjoy their Eternal Reward.

There were Andersons two, and the Carlsons were five,
And a Chilstedt and Hallberg were there.
And John Hollinder, J. Nylander both did arrive;
There was a Hultin and Jepson so fair.

There were two Hallquists, five Johnsons, Larson and Lefgren, too.
And four Nilsons, two Rydens, and Swanson.
There was Samuelson, Sandberg, two Videns, four Wallins:
May the Lord bless their work so well done.

by Ben Turnquist