What Was It Like To Go To Little Rural Churches Before World War II?

I was not there back then but I imagine it's much the same now. There are still many churches across the U.S. That have from 25 to 100 members. It is much easier to get lost in the crowd at a " mega church" but I'm sure there can be a great many members who are participating. The church I attend has roughly 100 to 150 members and I like it. The music may be off tempo and some of the worship choir can't sing well but I think that just makes it more real.

I wasn't there back then either but I grew up in small churches in the 1960's and would guess not much had changed in some of them--very well-meaning people preserving their way of worship sincerely believing it was the only right way. I vividly remember the first time we sang a modern (post Depression era) song in 1972. I wondered then why most of our songs were from the 1800's--how could they be more holy, yet written 1800 years after Christ? Now I'm no longer the rebel but a soon to be grandma in the same type of church, only with 700 members. Some days I wish we still sang more 4-part harmony songs, had 'dinner on the grounds', and knew everyone in our church. Thank goodness we do still keep a few of the old traditions with all of our new 21st century ways of worship!