| 1955 |
Everett Wirick purchased his saxophone from
Coldwater Music Store. |
| 1957 |
Everett purchased front 6 acres at 475
Bankers Road from Wally Houtz for $1,000. |
| 1960 |
Everett, being a builder by trade, began
construction of the home at 475 Bankers Road. |
| September 1961 |
Another approximately 25 acres was purchased
from Wally Houtz. |
| 1962-63 |
Home was completed. |
| 1965 |
Palm Sunday tornado rips through the wooded
area surrounding the home. The home remained virtually
undamaged, but the wooded property was destroyed. |
| March 1966 |
Everett’s first wife, Letha, passes away. |
| June 1967 |
Everett married Margaret Frager.
“Margaret was an accomplished pianist and a
wonderful personality. Her talents, along with Everett’s
abilities on his saxophone, led them to a honeymoon in Renfro
Valley, Kentucky, where they performed. It was at this time that
the idea of the Gospel Barn began to take shape.” |
| September 1970 |
Theater seats were purchased for the Barn at
a cost of $252. |
| October 1970 |
Ground was leveled for construction of the
Gospel Barn. |
| April 1971 |
Logs were hauled to the mill for the Barn.
Everett continued building the facility.
Occasionally, he would have some help in his work.
|
| 1974 |
Construction on the Gospel Barn was
completed. |
| June 22, 1974 |
DEDICATION SERVICE for The Gospel Barn. |
| July 6, 1974 |
Records show the first group to appear in
concert was the Union City Singers. |
| 1976 |
The camping area was completed. |
| 1978 |
Current house band singer/guitar player, Norm
Keesler, begins performing at The Barn. |
| November 1978 |
Gospel Barn Music Incorporated was formed. |
| 1980 |
Contributions were received to help pay for
the addition to the west end of the auditorium. |
| 1982 |
Addition to the west end of The Barn was
completed before concert season begins. |
| Early 1980's |
A live concert album was made at The Gospel
Barn. |
| September 1984 |
Everett and Margaret received a four page
letter from grandson, Scott Wiley, telling them of his desire
and interest to run The Gospel Barn someday. Scott was in the
10th grade. |
| 1986 |
New piano was purchased for The Barn. |
| 1987 |
Scott Wiley moves from Florida following
graduation from high school. |
| Fall of 1987 |
Scott Wiley was added to the Gospel Barn
property and corporation. “This would
prove to be vital in the next year due to the process involving
the estate of Everett Wirick.” |
| 1987-88 |
(WINTER-OFF SEASON) Everett installs
insulation in the ceiling of the auditorium. This would be his
final project. |
| February 12, 1988 |
Everett & Margaret are suddenly and
tragically killed in an automobile accident while visiting in
Avon Park, Florida. |
| Spring 1988 |
Scott Wiley, along with his parents Charles &
Norma Wiley and sister Sandy, come back to Michigan to prepare
for the upcoming concert season. Ken
Kurtz, Dave Tuckey, Norm Keesler and Nan May are asked to be
Emcee and house band for The Barn. |
| April 30, 1988 |
Memorial Service held at The Barn for Everett
& Margaret Wirick. |
| November 18, 1989 |
Scott Wiley & Rebecca Nafziger are married. |
| July 27, 1991 |
500th CONCERT was held at The Gospel Barn. |
| December 20, 1993 |
Nathan Everett Wiley was born to Scott &
Rebecca. |
| 1995-96 |
Completely new restroom facility was
constructed in time for the 1996 concert season. |
| May 17, 1997 |
Katherine Joann Wiley was born to Scott &
Rebecca. |
| June 1-8, 1998 |
Balcony renovation completed--adding and
improving the seating area. |
| June 20, 1998 |
25th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT |
| Spring 1999 |
New sound system was installed in the
auditorium. |
| Fall 2000 |
New roof was put on The Gospel Barn. |
| July 2003 |
Air conditioning was installed in The Gospel
Barn auditorium. |
| Fall 2004 - Spring 2005 |
New parking lot lights are installed and
additional lighting was added around the barn. |
| November 2007 |
Driveway was widened to accommodate a left-hand
turn lane. |
| |
“Obviously friends, only the
Lord knows what the future holds.” |
