Community House

Recreation
When Reverend Soltau came to Brooklyn he knew that he was near a great city that could lure his young people away.  He felt that if he were to succeed in developing character, he must have more association with the youth.  It wasn't long and the Community House was constructed at a cost of $25,000.  All the labor was donated by the men of the church who worked long hours after their farming days ended.

The Community Center was located directly behind the church.  In those days it was not common for a church to have a gymnasium and a seven day activity program.

Annual events such as Big Game Suppers, Harvest Home Festivals and Field Days were highlights of the year.  Weekly amusements like roller skating, basketball, handball, indoor basketball, polo and billiards were among the many other wholesome activities provided at the community house.

Reverend Soltau's daughter writes, "The Brooklyn Center dramas were a thing to remember.  I remember distinctly one production I was in and I was supposed to faint dead away.  The girl that was to try to revive me, instead of using an empty shaker, poured talcum powder over my sensitive hay fever nose and, woe is me, I got a sneezing spell just as she yelled, "Oh, she's dead, she's dead!"  At that point the audience was convulsed with laughter."

Harvest Home Festival 1920