Saturn Christian Church, located on county road 800 S in Jefferson Township, is celebrating its long role in the community.

By JUDY DUNFEE
for The Post & Mail
 Saturn Christian Church’s history dates back to some time before 1858. Rhoda Swayne invited some of the settlers of Jefferson Township, Whitley County to gather at her home for Sunday School and Bible Study.
It was these same folks who then began meeting at the Red School House, located at the corner of 700 East and 900 South (southeast of the Broxon Cemetery) for their time of worship. On Aug. 2, 1858 during the ministry of Pastor William Dowling, the 22 charter members elected officers and started out to be a congregation
In 1874, this congregation moved into its own church building, our present facility. The ground was donated by James Broxon and much of the labor and material were also donated. L.L. Carpenter of Wabash was called to dedicate the building to Christian worship and to the service of Jesus Christ.
The building has been remodeled and updated several times throughout the years. The last addition was a 8,200 sq. ft. fellowship hall, which was begun in 2004 and will hopefully be finished this year, debt-free.
Although the building has changed, the mission of Saturn has not.  Our mission statement is: To live the teachings of Christ, to declare God’s glory among the nations, to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and to serve through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Saturn is hosting a party beginning at 4 p.m. Aug. 2, at the church with prayer and a balloon launch.  Carnival games, a moonwalk, a dunk tank, a picnic supper, team games, sno-cones, cotton candy, the storybook lady, a sing-a-long and campfire will all be part of the celebration.
Sunday we will continue to celebrate with our normal worship schedule, followed by a catered lunch at 11:45 and a Program of Remembrance and Rededication beginning at 1 p.m. which will include a mini cello concert by Iris Ji. 
The complete schedule of events follows:
Saturday
4 p.m. Prayer and a balloon launch to start us off; the historical books and items also on display.
4:15 p.m. Carnival games, moonwalk, cotton candy, etc.
4:30 p.m. A guided tour on the church bus to the original site of Saturn’s beginnings.
5 p.m. Picnic dinner: hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, baked beans and beverages for all.
6 p.m. Dunk Tank opens; dunk the pastor and more!
6:30 p.m. Julie Silverman-Ditton, the storybook lady, tells stories from 1858-1860 around the campfire.
7 p.m. Another guided tour to the original site.
7:30 p.m. Team Games: Tug-O-War, Giddy Up Horses, etc.
8 p.m. A sing-a-long around the campfire. S’mores and popcorn.
Sunday
8:45 a.m. Fellowship Breakfast.
9 a.m. Sunday School.
10 a.m. Worship Service.
11:45 a.m. Catered dinner begins.
1 p.m.  Program of Remembrance and Rededication begins; including a cello concert by Iris Ji.
There is no cost for anything; we just want you to come and celebrate God’s faithfulness to the church at 6731 East 800 South, Columbia City.
For more information, feel free to call the church at (260) 396-2250.