Salem Historical Church

06/04/2026

Exciting updates at Salem! We are so grateful to Stang Concrete for their excellent work replacing our worn, cracked steps. A huge thank you as well to our dedicated supporters whose ongoing financial contributions make it possible for us to maintain our beautiful, historic church.

05/22/2026

This Memorial weekend when visiting the Salem Cemetery, you'll see the fruit trees in bloom. It's a beautiful sight! Last year, the board authorized the cutting and clearing of the scrub trees around the grounds and trimming others as needed. There were vines and fallen trees causing damage to the fence so they were removed also. A huge thank you to board members Gary Reeck & Tim Wegner who gave so many hours of their own time for this work and also thank you to hired worker Bruce Elfering for all that was accomplished.

04/25/2026

Sharing this Paynesville Press photo to Salem's page to show the 'Salt of the Earth', 'North of Town' neighbors who helped Dorothy Miller when her husband Harold died suddenly on July 4th, 1957. These were people you could count on when bad things happened. Descendants of many of these folks still care for the church and cemetery and are planning for the future of Salem.

04/23/2026

Coming events in 2026, save the dates!

Salem Fest-August 9th
Salem Christmas-December 12th

Send a message to learn more

04/23/2026

Our Strategic Planning Committee is beginning its work, and we’re looking for folks who want to help shape Salem’s future. If you feel called to be part of that effort, let us know — your voice matters. If you feel connected to the history of Salem and want to help care for the church and cemetery, we’d love to have you involved. Whether you can give time, ideas, or simply encouragement, every bit of support helps keep this place thriving for future generations.

Send a message to learn more

04/23/2026

🌿 Salem Historical Church & Cemetery Association – Annual Meeting Update

This week we gathered for the 156th consecutive annual meeting of the Salem Historical Church & Cemetery Association. It’s amazing to think that the Salem congregation was first organized and incorporated back on October 31, 1870. The earliest minutes—written in German for the first ten years—were lovingly translated into English in the 1990s, helping us preserve our story for future generations.

What warms our hearts most is seeing how many people continue to care deeply about keeping the church and cemetery in good shape. At this year’s meeting, we talked through several ongoing needs, including:

Repairing the steps and sidewalk

Managing the cemetery fence and vine overgrowth

Tree removal & cleanup

Brick repair on the church

Bathroom updates

Lawn mowing

Insurance costs

Cleaning and preparation for events

Sound system needs

And the new cemetery records software purchased last year

We also reviewed the 1998 Second Amended Articles of Incorporation of Salem Cemetery, Inc., and agreed that it’s time for an update.

Looking ahead, a Salem Strategic Planning Committee will be working throughout the next years to create a long‑term plan for the future of the church and cemetery. A few volunteers have already stepped forward, and we’re grateful for them. We’ll also be looking for others who want to help ensure that the Salem story continues long after we are gone.

❤️ If you feel connected to the history of Salem and want to help care for the church and cemetery, we’d love to have you involved. Whether you can give time, ideas, or simply encouragement, every bit of support helps keep this place thriving for future generations.

01/15/2026

Here's the Salem Junior Choir in 1963. We thought we should share again with first and last (maiden) names. Not every one was happy about picture day. :-)

Front: Chris Miller, Sue Snyder, Janet Snyder, Jean Wegner.
Middle: Renee Reeck, Arlette Snyder, Vicki Wegner.
Back: Gary Reeck, Greg Manz, Larry Miller, Dave Weber.

01/12/2026

On the back it is written 'April 9th. Weiner roast at Farnum's basement after cantata practice'.

Back row left to right:
Rev Dennis Ruhnke, Jim Heitke, Donald Krupke, Mae Farnum, Norma Miller, Carol Heitke, Carolyn Reeck & Dorothy Miller.

Front row: Bill Manz, Warren Reeck, Curt Wegner, Les Snyder, Ruby Krupke, Lucille manz, Sharon Ruhnke, Marge Heitke Hartman.

Salem folks, 'Salt of the Earth.'