Salem Mennonite Church in Elida is celebrating 175 years as a congregation during 2016. The church has planned a series of events to celebrate not only the congregation’s history but also the history of the surrounding area and Anabaptist Christian traditions.

On May 22 John Roth, professor of history at Goshen College, will be the guest speaker at Salem.  He will speak during the 10:30 a.m. worship service and during a program at 1 p.m., focusing on the Anabaptist story in the 21st Century.

Other special speakers scheduled are Alan and Eleanor Kreider on July 24 and Perry Bush on Aug. 28. In addition, the congregation will hold its 175th anniversary celebration Sept. 24-25. For more details about these special events, please see the Salem – 175th Celebration flier.