On Sunday we put on our best clothes and went to church. This was an ordeal for the entire family, for "Sunday-go-to-meeting" clothes were no joke, especially to us kids. We went barefooted all week and when we put on shoes our feet burned like fire all during the trip to and from church, and during the services. Mother put on her corset, which cut her freedom to near zero, but made her stand very straight and dignified. Father got into his broadcloth suit, which he'd had since his wedding. It was fine for winter, but a veritable Turkish bath in summer.
All our skirts and dresses were starched as stiff as sheet iron, and everybody walked around like knights in armor. We were cautioned to "keep nice and clean" for it was a disgrace to appear at church with even a ruffle mussed.
To us children Sunday church was genuine torture, and it was not much better for the older people. We endured it because we were told to; the oldsters because they thought it was good to suffer a little.
The church was in the village at the crossroads, under a spread of trees. There were hitching racks in the rear, near the little cemetery. Father tied up the horse there, throwing a blanket over him if it were cold; in summer he tried to find a shady place. We saw everybody we knew at church. The men liked to arrive a little early, gathering in knots outside under the trees and talking crops. The women eyed the new dresses and talked cooking and canning. We stood around miserably, not being allowed to shout or muss our clothes.
The sermon was too long for most everybody, but the choir sang well, and the notes from the pump organ were sweet. The word of God was good for men and women who had been isolated in fields and lonely farmhouses.
In summer the ride home was dusty and hot, in winter cold and bleak. But when we got home there was a big Sunday dinner, and the blessed relief of getting in our everyday clothes again.
Prairie Churches still stand as a witness to
our forefather's faith.
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