Chapel Church in rural Gladbrook hosted the Gladbrook-Lincoln senior citizens group on Sept. 12. Workers included (l-r) Beverly Iverson, Marcia Wiese, Karen Handorf, Kathryn Burt, Claire Handorf, Sue Koster, Ruth Wescott, Candace Bartel, and Carolyn Kloster. Not pictured, Lisa Koester. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

GLADBROOK – The Chapel Church ladies hosted the Gladbrook-Lincoln senior citizens group on Friday, Sept. 12, at 11:30 a.m. for a meal and entertainment inside the church’s newly-constructed building.

Guests enjoyed looking at the new building while also dining ‘ice cream social’ style, including hot chicken sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, homemade ice cream, bars and a drink.

Carol Lamer made the decorations, which were flowers in ice cream cones. The entertainment was by Claire Handorf and Sue Koster who did a skit in Mabel’s Ice Cream Parlor. Afterwards, they shared trivia from Chapel’s past ice cream socials as well as ice cream trivia from around the world.

The two pumpkin door prizes were won by Ethel Lucht and Bob Wiese. A total of 40 meals were served, including the workers and take-out orders that Darrell Paustian and Stan Koster delivered.

On Oct. 12, 2020, Chapel Church, located at 1597 Abbott Ave. in rural Gladbrook roughly four miles west of Union Grove State Park, burned to the ground. It was a devastating loss for the small but mighty congregation and the rural community as a whole.

Gladbrook-Lincoln senior citizens met in Chapel's Fellowship Hall on Sept. 12. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Almost four years later, a groundbreaking service in celebration of the future new church building was held on Sept. 11, 2024. The congregation held its first service in the new space on June 6, 2025. A dedication and open house is currently being planned for this fall.