Community Lutheran Church in Geneva will celebrate its 100-year anniversary Sept. 19 and 20 with concerts, a carnival and fellowship.

“It’s going to be a huge celebration,” The Rev. Carrie McElfresh said.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, there will be inflatable games and other carnival events starting at 2 p.m.

For food, there will be popcorn and ice cream, and there will also be hot dogs and hamburgers. McElfresh said the church will charge a low price for certain foods and games to meet the costs of the event.

Various acts will perform in a large tent outside, including bluegrass band Monroe Crossing at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets to the Monroe Crossing show are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. A worship service will be held before the show Saturday.

With most of the events occurring outside, McElfresh said they’re hoping for good weather.

The formal celebration will be Sunday, as the morning worship service will feature special music from previous members, including piano and organ duets and The Careyaires.

Anyone is welcome to attend the carnival and musical acts Saturday and the Sunday morning service. Overflow seating will be available if the sanctuary is full during the Sunday service.

The events will conclude Sunday with a catered lunch after the service for only invited church members and former members.

Over 700 letters were sent out to every member or former member the church could find an address for. About 75 people worship each Sunday at Community Lutheran. McElfresh said the church has typically had about 400-500 baptized members, and at one point there were almost 100 children in Sunday school.

“There have been times when this church has just been huge and incredibly thriving. Being a small congregation in a rural area, they’re actually doing really well compared to a lot of other congregation,” McElfresh said. “It’s definitely still a place that is thriving and place with a lot to offer.”

The Lutheran church was first formed in of 1909 and originally met in Union Church in downtown Geneva. The church bought the building for $100 in 1927, and moved it from downtown to the current location of Community Lutheran. That building dates back to the 1880s, McElfresh said.

The church has had about 17 pastors during that span.

McElfresh said she was cleaning one day, and found a document about the church’s history behind the organ.

History books and commemorative plates will be available during the celebration.

“We’ve had our first century, now we have another who knows how long in front of us — perhaps another century, perhaps two. I don’t think that Geneva’s going to be getting rid of Community Lutheran anytime soon,” McElfresh said.