My name is Yvonne (Swanson) Schultz. My grandfather Walter Swanson and my step-Grandmother Inga were founding members of this church. My parents Harold (Gabby) Swanson and my mother Ione Swanson went to church occasionally, usually church programs. I have been a member of the church in Sagola all my life, with a few lapses – too busy, hard to bring the kids they are too noisy etc. My children and grandchildren have been a part of this church and I have many wonderful memories of programs and seeing them baptized and some of them confirmed in this church. Although I wish they would attend more often I would like to think that the future for some of them will be as members here and their children and children’s children.
For 90 years this church has been a place of worship and fellowship and help to the people in the area. There have been hard times and sometimes we struggled to pay the bills. Occasionally paying a full time minister was not possible but many guest speakers and clergy filled the pulpit and we moved forward. As always God provided what we needed. I would like to personally Thank Rev. Bill Payne, Rev. Clayton Parcels and Rev. David Van Dam. Bill and Clayton filled the pulpit and moderated our Session meetings, sometimes coming a long way to do so. David Van Dam who was the head of Macinac Presbytery in Petosky worked very hard to keep things going in the hard times. They and so many more people helped to strengthen our church and get us where we are today. Over the years we have added a new sanctuary and this past year new class rooms.
A strong and vibrant Presbyterian Church is in place in Sagola and although there will be times of distress; the future looks full and bright.
