Pictured above (Left to Right) Tom Laser, Ron Rock, Eileen Hoover, Virgil Gibson, Stephen Herr.

 

Steve Herr, pastor at the Christ Lutheran Church, opened our program this week by giving members a detailed explanation of the program that the church puts on once a month involving songs and stories of the Civil War Hospital that the Christ Lutheran Church became during and after the battle. The Christ Lutheran Church served as a field hospital during the battle and for six weeks after the battle in 1863 and the church along with parishioners and volunteers continue to put together a monthly program to keep the history of the church’s service to our nation’s Civil War heroes alive. Accompanying Pastor Herr were fellow actors, storytellers and singers: Virgil Gibson, Ronald Rock and Tom Laser. Each of the actors got into character for the club and delivered stories and facts that brought the events of the battle to life for Rotarians in attendance. Some of the stories were quite emotional as the actors described the scenes and events.

The monthly program will be held June 29, July 6, August 31, September 28, October 5, October 12, November 23 and December 14 and is free and open to the public with donations being accepted. The program begins with music outside on the church steps at 7:30 p.m. and moves inside at 8 p.m. Featured as part of the performances are live Civil War era music and sing-alongs, reading from personal journals of a nurse and wounded soldier, Civil War poetry by Walt Whitman.  Although labeled as a Union hospital, during the battle and for several days after the both Union and Confederate soldiers were treated. At its peak the Christ Lutheran hospital accommodated 150 wounded soldiers. A red flag outside of the church signified that the church structure was serving as a field hospital during the battle.

Pastor Steve Herr passed along their thanks for our hospitality at the meeting.