Mystery Worshipper: Brandi Anderson
Church:
St. John’s, Deadwood
Location: South Dakota, USA
Date of visit: Sunday, 4 May 2025, 5:00pm
The building
A quaint red brick building with a small steeple and a black iron fence, this church feels like a walk back in time to 1880. There are just a few steps taking visitors up to the narrow oak doors, each of which had a wreath of flowers with blue, white and gold accents. Stained glass windows are visible from the outside. The building is so well kept it does not look to be 150 years old.
The church
The church has a history as the oldest operating church in the Black Hills.This barren, beautiful, and wild mountain town has always cared about this church. People in the community have donated to it over the years, keeping it alive and special. The round stained glass dove of peace above the altar was donated by a woman in memory of her husband. The pipe organ, educational wing, and the wrought iron fence were also donated by church members.
The neighborhood
Williams Street is a residential area in the bustling drinking and gambling old west town of Deadwood, South Dakota. It’s packed with old houses and a narrow street. Walking up to the church, an old white house with multiple levels held an old man peeking out the side of the deck, with a smile and nod as he walked back into his rental. Because the town was built in 1880 by miners, by the way of social dances and lessons to teach miners how to dance, it has a history and a feel that is unlike anything I have ever experienced.
The cast
The reverend preached and welcomed everyone by standing at the door with a smile and a soft handshake. He gave the sermon, led communion, and took most of the readings. A woman assisted with the readings. I don't know if she had an official title, but she was sitting next to the altar the entire time. She also assisted with communion. A church member offered me coffee and gave me a brief history of the church.
What was the name of the service?
Saturday Evening Service, The Third Sunday of EasterHow full was the building?
Mostly empty, unfortunately. About 10 people.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
Reverend Michael welcomed me as I walked up the steps into the church building. He stood there holding the door at his back with a soft smile and a handshake. He said, ‘Hi, I am Father Mike.’ Nearly all of the people welcomed me in some way before the service started, with a smile, a handshake, and asking me where I was from.
Was your pew comfortable?
The pew was small and had a red tweed cushion that looked like it had been reupholstered in the 1950s or 60s. It was oak or a light wood and the back of the pew met the middle of my back, so it was not uncomfortable, but I definitely was not going to fall asleep during the service because of the comfort.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
It was anticipatory, joyful, and welcoming. People were asking one another questions, shaking hands, smiling, offering kindness. It felt like a family gathering or a place I have known and been before in some way or form. I cannot describe this fully, only that I felt very welcome, comforted, and that I belonged there, beyond anywhere else.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
‘Good evening children of God. What a beautiful day in the Black Hills.’
What books did the congregation use during the service?
There were no books used, but there was a Bible, hymnal, and African hymnal available for me to puruse. I did not because they had a printed handout with several pages of reading and scriptures.
What musical instruments were played?
Nothing. Unforunately the beautiful pipe organ donated in 1904 was not played. I asked about this after the service, and one lady said they had lost their organist. The only music that I heard was at the very end. It was a country song played on a speaker directly overhead. The words to the song included ‘Only trust him’, so it must have had a Christian influence or connection. Music is a big part of any church service these days, but in some ways I was relieved we did not sing. All of the speaking and the response prayers and words back to Reverend Michael were a bit awkward. I heard my voice, but few other voices.
Did anything distract you?
There was a dog barking throughout the service. It was not annoying because we were in his neighborhood. I was slightly distracted by the 10 page booklet and insert. At times I lost the page and did not know what I was supposed to be saying back. This is part of the Episcopal process... I guess. There were two young boys having a big time rolling on the ground in the pew behind their parents. The boys were young and the parents brought them toys, books, snacks, and blankets, but one can only stay quiet for so long.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
This is not going to sound great, but the worship was very formal, with the readings, communion, offerings, and the process. But the people did not feel uptight.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
20-ish minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
8 — The preacher sported a handlebar mustache with a white beard. His thick glasses without rims felt like something from 1880. He actually looked like he was visiting us from back in the mining or gold rush days. He did not seem of this world, and the church didn’t either. So combined, they were a good fit. I cannot imagine him leading or teaching or preaching anywhere but Deadwood.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
The sermon was about the resurrection of Christ. The story of the disciples being on a boat and catching no fish, then hearing a voice from land telling them to place the net on the other side of the boat. The disciples did not know this was Jesus, but they caught 153 fish in a net that did not break, and this was a miracle. The main message was to cast our nets into the world, that Jesus will be with us in the process, and the net will not break. Another message was that love recognizes the heart above circumstance, and to have faith in the evidence of what is not seen.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
The building and the friendly people. The stillness and light coming through the stained glass windows. Walking up to the altar and taking communion, kneeling at the altar and accepting the bread and wine. All of it felt like a holy experience.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
All of the speaking back and the multiple pages in the program. I realize they do not have a projector or modern technology in this church built with the help of oxen in the 1880s, but it was a tad bit of information overload.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
People talked to me and asked me if I would be coming back. They wished me well. I talked to the rowdy kids rolling on the ground, the minor distraction, and smiled at them, they smiled back.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
Coffee was offered pre-service by a welcoming lady. She had jeans and beautiful silver hair, and reminded me of a cowgirl from the wild west. She seemed like someone who just gets things done and makes people feel welcomed and cared for. I don't know if the coffee was fairly traded, but it was good and offered in a plastic or paper cup. I did not see cake and cookies, but that would have been an added bonus!
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
10 —Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Yes, without a doubt. Sign me up.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time ?
The building with the large beams from the 1880s, lugged in by oxen from some mountain near by. The stained glass windows and the kind people who welcomed me in. It had a familiar feel. Like I had been there before, but I have not.