The Singing at the Old Country Church “would make the heavens ring” and ring they did Sunday afternoon for one hour and 15 minutes.

And, if John and Mary Senn would give the nod, the singing would, probably, to on until darkness descended on the 100-year-old wood-frame church.

“We come to worship God in song,” John Senn said. “Who can we go to if not God?”

The Singing at the Old Country Church is held annually from 2 until 3:15 p.m. at the historic church on U.S. Highway 231 south of Brundidge.

“This year was our 16th year and every year it seems like it’s better than the year before,” Senn said. “Every year, it’s a blessing to be among family and friends and sing those wonderful hymns of praises to God.”

The church building was the original building for the Hamilton Crossroads Church of Christ. John and Mary Senn purchased the building in order to preserve it. The couple hosts the Singing at the Old Country Church each year as a way of bringing people together who love to sing with their voices as the only instruments.

“There’s nothing as beautiful as these alto voices,” said Roger Gunter, who was among the first to lead songs. “Standing up here, with them right by you … there’s just not anything more beautiful than these voices.”

The blending of voices – altos, sopranos, basses, tenors, children’s and a few off keys – is what praising God in song is all about, Senn said.
“This is why we keep coming back and look forward all year to this Sunday afternoon,” said Cathy McKinney. “There’s no better way to express your thankfulness than to come to this little church and sing your heart out.”

“Songs of the Church” is the book that is used. Requests are written on the board and often called from the audience – 30 or more songs are sung.

Reba Davis has been to every singing at the Old Country Church. She, like many, attends with her family and that’s what makes the singing so special.

“It’s a wonderful way to begin Thanksgiving week,” she said. “Coming to this old church with your family and friends and, some you may not know, to give thanks for your many blessings.”

For Deborah Huggins-Davis, Sunday was her first time attending the song service.

“I have been wanting to come and this morning I got up and told Paul that I wanted to go,” she said. “It was a true blessing and I’ll look forward to coming back.”

And, as she does, Huggins-Davis will join those who packed the Old Country Church from wall-to-wall Sunday in making the annual singing as much a Thanksgiving tradition as turkey on the table.