The History of Reformation's Communion Bread

by Eva W. Farlow

It took a long route. Mother's family moved to Delaware from Eglon, West Virginia when mother was in her teens. They settled in Owens Station (Greenwood, Delaware). Mother had six brothers. They belonged to the Church of The Brethren and brought with them the customs of the church. This church was very close to the customs of the Amish and Mennonite church. The family was instrumental in starting the local church in Farmington.

Grandmother baked the communion bread until she was no longer able. In her final years, she lived with us and Mother took over baking the communion bread. She immediately began teaching me at a very young age. Since I was too short to see the top of the old wooden table, my father built me a stool to stand on so that I could learn and help Mother. She said, "Watch carefully, Eva, because some day you will be doing the baking." Mother always knew best.

And that's how the communion bread came to Reformation Lutheran Church. My brother Bill, who was on the church council, told the council that he knew a better communion bread than we were then using, if the council wanted to consider it. The church council and Pastor Buehrle agreed to use the bread. From then on, Mother and I baked the communion bread until she was no longer able to make it. From then on, I did the baking just as Mother had predicted. I'm happy to do this for our church family and, with God's help, I will do this as long as I am able. I have calculated that Mother and I baked about 10,000 slices of Communion Bread that would have served over 500,000 people in Reformation Lutheran Church.

Editor's Note: This is a story that I begged and cajoled Eva to tell for over a year. Modest in nature, she's not one to brag about this incredibly special task she has done continuously for Reformation for decades. She does it for her church family to the glory of God. Words cannot adequately express our thanks!

The photo is of Pr. John Ranney holding the microphone for Eva as she tells the story of her communion bread at the 50th Anniversary Dinner of Reformation Lutheran Church.

Trish

N.B. To read more about the formation of Reformation Lutheran Church over the years, see Our Church's History