William Pitts spotted the location when the coach he was riding stopped near Bradford, Iowa in 1857.  The spot was so peaceful and serene. He could picture a church standing there. A place for people to go and find peace and serenity. A place for people to go to find God. Later that evening, he penned the words to this song, although it was simply filed away at that time. 

Seven years later, Pitts returned to that town and to his surprise, there was a church being built at the very spot he had envisioned. Ironically, the church was even being painted brown, as that was the most inexpensive way to go at the time. He taught his song written seven years earlier to the choir at the music school in Bradford and it was first sung at the dedication of this little church.

In the years since that time, the church has become known simply as "The Little Brown Church". Today, the church serves the community with worship services and is a very popular place for weddings. So popular, in fact, that the church hosts an annual wedding reunion. In 2007 people came from seven states to "come home" to the place they were married.

Churches bring people together. Church leaders like to call that "community." 

The Christian faith is something that is meant to be shared together. Shared as we grow and mature in faith together. Shared as we walk through good times and bad together. Read the words of this lyric.

Verse 1

There's a church

In the valley

By the wildwood

No lovelier spot

In the dale

No place is so dear

To my childhood

As the little brown church

In the vale

Chorus 1

Come to the church

In the wildwood

Oh come to the church

In the vale

No spot is so dear

To my childhood

As the little brown church

In the vale

Verse 2

Oh come to the church

In the wildwood

To the trees

Where the wild flowers bloom

Where the parting hymn

Will be chanted

We will weep

By the side of the tomb

There was a time when most people stayed in the community which they were born. A lyric like this brings back great memories of times like this. Growing up in a church and growing older in that place to the point when one passes on and is buried there. 

These days, we scatter. Families member go their separate ways across the country and education and jobs send us in a variety of different directions. 

What we must always remember is the fact that the church is not a building. The church is a community of believers. Sometimes we are drawn apart by geographic distance, but we can still be united in our faith and love for one another. We need each other--we need community--because when we become an active part of a community we have a place to belong. Even though we may be miles from the place we grew up, Christ's church unites us and gives a home. 

Together, as a community of believers, we are the church and because of this, we never need to feel far from home.

Have you committed to a church home? Some of us like to float around, always looking for something better or more "perfect."  Others have been committed to our church faithfully for years. Are you committed to your church? No, not the church building, but to the people--all of them, those older, younger, of a different background, those who you like and those you struggle with.  Are you committed to your pastor--he is human and makes mistakes--are you committed to pray and support him. Are you committed to building and inviting so God's church will grow? Are you committed to sacrificing and serving so God is glorified through your church?

Pray for your church.  Pray for the universal church-Christ's Church.  Pray for other believers you know. Be an encouragement to those around you so they can learn to sing as well "no church is so dear to my childhood..."

(To learn more about "The Little Brown Church" click here)

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