The weekend of July 9-11 was the occassion of the 125th Anniversary celebration of the Hutterthal Mennonite Church, Freeman, SD.  One of the oldest congregations in the Freeman area, is was founded by Hutterites who moved to the area and decided against living in colonies as they had previously.  The congregation formally joined the Mennonite church in 1941.

The weekend included a history presentation by Norman Hofer on Friday evening, and evening of musical history on Saturday evening, and a Sunday morning worship in Pioneer Hall at the Freeman Academy, attended by more than 350 people.  Guest pseakers on Sunday morning were Mark Stahl and Brenda Glanzer Lilliston, both of whom grew up in the congregation and now are ordained pastors in the Mennonite Church.  Displays in the church basement, open throughout the weekend also told the congregation's history.

Harold Hofer portrays a Hutterite of 1873 discussing whether to emmigrate to America.  Harold is a part of the Hutterthal drama team that participated in the Sunday morning worship.  (Photo by Jeremy Waltner/Freeman Courier)

Pastors Ivan and Rachel Friesen lead the congregation in worship on Sunday morning, in front of the special anniversary banner incorporating themes from Hutterite history. (Photo by Jeremy Waltner/Freeman Courier)