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Introduction
Featured
Jam Sessions:
Anutt
(D&D Little Branson)
Fremont
Gainesville
(Hoerman Park)
Kissee
Mills
(Johnson Community Building)
Long
Beach
(Mtn. Grove School)
Long
Lane
Manes
(Manes
Music Makers)
Mansfield
McClurg
McDowell
Mountain
View (Weaver's)
Souder
Springfield
(North Town Mall)
Strafford
Wasola
(Stone's)
Related
Events:
Opry's:
Webster Co. Opry
Picnics:
Vanzant Picnic
Fiddle
Competitions and Festivals:
Branson Fiddle Contest, Compton Ridge, and Ozarks
Celebration Festival
Dances:
Ava and Ebenezer
Homecomings:
Horsecreek Church
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Homecomings, and other rural religious events such as singings
and dinners on the ground, have many characteristics of the events
described in the project. For example, typically everyone
present is invited to step up to the front and sing a song, and
there is no admission charge. Homecomings are organized
to invite people who have moved away to return for the special
event, and to share good food, fellowship, music, and memories
of the church. Here I am featuring the annual homecoming
at the Horsecreek Church, pictured on the right and located near
Galena.
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| At one point during the Horsecreek
Church's homecoming, held on July 15, 2000, the history of the
church was discussed. The oldest part of the church building
is perhaps 100 to 125 years old and was originally located at
the mouth of Horse Creek. Twice the building was moved
until it ended up at its current location. For many years
the building served as a church and a school. Pastor Billy
Bob Jones explained that his father attended school in the building. Many
church members reminisced about when their parents, siblings,
and children got saved at the church.
Directions to Horsecreek Church: drive south on US-160 for 28
miles; drive west on MO-176 for about 4 miles; turn right on
V and drive about a mile [See
map]. Photographs are from July 15, 2000.
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Everyone brings a covered dish. After singing
all morning the congregation breaks for lunch, but they return
to singing after the meal. |
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Some members of the congregation brought old photographs. In
this photograph, Avis Henry (formerly Jones) shows a picture of
the building as a school house in 1913. Her father is in
the front middle, wearing the tie. |
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Pastor Billy Bob Jones leads the homecoming service
by offering welcoming messages and inviting people to testify or
sing. He also asks people to share their memories of the
church. |
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Charles Galloway sings "The Old Country Church" in
an older style similar to that used by ballad singers. Louise
Hicks, standing in the middle, sings with her daughters Darlene
and Nina. Louise said they had not sung together for a long
time. |
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Among those who offered music were Denver and Patty Martin with
their grandson Devin who all stepped up to the front to offer
a testimonial and then lead the congregation in singing. Dale
Martin sang with his wife Janis at the piano and the pastor's
wife Betty Jones on guitar. Most of the singers were accompanied
by piano, guitar, tambourine, and wood block.
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