By D. HICKMAN\Daily Journal Staff Writer

LEADWOOD -- When planning an anniversary celebration, it helps to have a church historian who has written a book about the history of her town. Nedra Queen had already researched the roots of Leadwood when she noted her church was coming up on an anniversary.

"Leadwood United Methodist Church is the only thing that's been in Leadwood 100 years," Queen said. "I thought that was a reason to celebrate."

For months, the little church has been sprucing up -- inside and out -- preparing to welcome former members, visitors and potential new members to the birthday celebration Sept. 15.

Longtime organist Leah Gibson is returning to play for the 11 a.m. worship service. Pastor Rev. Michael Lockhart will lead the service.

"Two young men who grew up in this church and are now ministers -- Dennis Lumos and Greg Mauer -- are coming back for the celebration," said Bob Yount, who moved his membership after he married Mary more than 50 years ago. Mary herself first came into the little white church when she was only seven days old. She now plays piano for the services.

"My favorite memory is the day Bob joined," Mary said. "He'd been meeting secretly with the pastor. We'd been going to different churches since we married and he surprised me by joining."

With Queen in the lead, the little congregation of 38 members, most of whom are over 60, has been planning the celebration for more than a year. After worship, there will be a lunch in the fellowship hall followed by gospel music beginning around 1:30 p.m.

Performers include The Wallen Family, Heartfelt, Wendell Johnson and Roy Queen, whose country music was heard on KMOX Radio for many years.

"We're hoping to have to put out chairs, there will be so many people here," said Marvin Poston, who still has the pocket Bible given to him by the church when he went to fight in World War II. He has been part of the church family since the day he gave his heart to Jesus in 1938.

"We used to have a good attendance here -- I can remember over 100," Poston said. "But when they broke the Blue Law that had stopped stores from opening on Sunday, it was the worst thing that ever happened to churches."

"People just don't go like they used to," Bob Yount said. "You know, church is habit and once you get out of the habit, it's hard to get back to it on Sunday mornings."

The longtime church members vividly recall Grandpa Lumos who could "outpreach the preacher" and Clementine Mason who would start to "nod off" until the preacher preached louder in her direction.

"They were the 'old people' in the church when I was little," Bob said. "Now, we're the old ones."

The church was organized in the fall of 1902 by Rev. J.N. Sitton. The building was erected in 1903 and it's been added to many times over the years. The latest addition was red paint for the front doors.

"I looked it up and a red door symbolizes a place of refuge," Queen said. "Nothing can harm you once you are behind the red doors. You are on holy ground."

The first baptism at the church was in 1903. The latest was scheduled for last Sunday.

Della Miller's parents were the first to be married in the church in 1907. Marvin Poston's folks were the second couple in that same year.

A large painting of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemene was painted by Hugh Maurer in 1966 and still hangs over the choir loft.

Queen has ordered souvenir coffee cups with pictures of the church to be sold for $5 and she has written a brochure of church history to distribute. In its last lines, she writes, "As we remember the legacy of our past, we are stimulated and encouraged to do great things for the Lord in the future."