LEE — On Easter Sunday, April 8, 1917, worshipers of what is now the Calvary Lutheran Church of rural Lee gathered for Sunday school and church services for the first time in their new building. On Easter Sunday this year (April 16, 2017), the congregation will commemorate the century of Christian fellowship in this building.
The day will celebrate Christ’s resurrection as well the faith and foresight of those whose spiritual commitment led to the church’s construction. Pastor Martha Nelson will lead the Easter celebration with an early Church service at 8:15 a.m., followed by an Easter Breakfast (free will offering) at 9:30 a.m. Those present will gather outside and release helium-filled balloons at around 10 a.m.  A second Church service will be held at 10:30 a.m. A short video reviewing church highlights from the century will be shown at each Church service.  An anniversary cake will provide a special, if unusual, menu item for the traditional Easter breakfast.  
The Church was founded in 1870, but the original building was struck by lightning and burned in 1914.  Two churches—one Lutheran, another Methodist—then merged and together built the new structure that was completed in 1917.  The church has been remodeled and upgraded—by the addition of an educational and administrative wing—in the intervening years, but the sanctuary is much the same today as it was at that first Easter service 100 years ago.