Case writes on the lighter side in newly released book about Hackleburg

By Daniel R. Gangler

Writing on the lighter side than his previous book on the history of the evangelical movement in Methodism, the Rev. Riley Case of Kokomo, Ind. turns his attention in a newly released book to soup suppers, Sunday school and the Ladies' Aid Society of a fictitious congregation.

According to Case, the book, How Hackleburg Became A 13-Pie Church from Bristol Books of Anderson, Ind., "consists of stories of a small town Methodist church, from 1878 to 2004, sort of Phil Gulley or Garrison Keillor style."

He told Together, "I have been doing these stories here and there for about 30 years, and I just pulled some of them together for this book."

As his story goes, there was a Hackleburg Methodist Church sometime before 1943, according to the archives of Indiana Methodism at DePauw University in Greencastle. In its Case history, the book introduces readers to Marybelle Hasselbaum, head of the Women's Society of Christian Service, who dropped dead at 82; Lush Larkin, converted saloon owner; Aunt Minne Rittenhouse, teacher of Jesus' Little Sunbeams class; Mrs. Arnold, organist who despises sharps and flats; members of the Hackleburg Church Choir, who sang joyfully but not always on key; and the Glory to God Methodist Episcopal Park.

In the history of Hackleburg church, we also hear of 13-pie potlucks - the loaves and fishes potlucks during hard times.

Case dedicated the book to the people of Union Chapel, Springhill, New Corydon, Claypool, Mount Pleasant, Pleasant Grove, Ashley, Hudson, Elkhart Calvary, Union City Wesley, the Marion District and St. Luke's Kokomo. Hackelburg is probably a hidden collection of all of them.

For more information or to order the book, log on to www.bristolhouseltd.com.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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