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VIDEO: Welsh church near Iowa City celebrates 170th anniversary
This year marks the 170th anniversary of the founding of the Welsh Church outside Iowa City by Welsh immigrants. A group of people gathered at the church Sunday to celebrate the church's heritage.
A group of people sing Welsh hymns at a Gymanfa Ganu or 'Big Sing' at the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. The Gymanfa Ganu (pronounced guh-man-fa gon-ee) was traditionally incorporated into the Welsh church service, and descendants of the church's founding members hope to bring back the tradition. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Welsh flags fly outside of the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Fans and Welsh hymnals line the pews at the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Richard Tiegs of North Liberty leads a group of people gathered for a traditional Gymanfa Ganu or 'Big Sing' at the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Richard Tiegs of North Liberty leads a group of people gathered for a traditional Gymanfa Ganu or 'Big Sing' at the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. The Gymanfa Ganu (pronounced guh-man-fa gon-ee) was traditionally incorporated into the Welsh church service, and descendants of the church's founding members hope to bring back the tradition. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Del Disselhorst, Professor Emeritus at the University of Iowa School of Music, sings during a Gymanfa Ganu or 'Big Sing' at the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. The Gymanfa Ganu (pronounced guh-man-fa gon-ee) was traditionally incorporated into the Welsh church service, and descendants of the church's founding members hope to bring back the tradition. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
A sign for the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. The Gymanfa Ganu (pronounced guh-man-fa gon-ee) was traditionally incorporated into the Welsh church service, and descendants of the church's founding members hope to bring back the tradition.(Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Jerilyn McCarty and Tom Sandersfeld of Iowa City sing during a Gymanfa Ganu or 'Big Sing' at the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. McCarty says her ancestors, who founded the town of Williamsburg, traveled by ox cart from the town to the church for weekly services. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Gwen Foulkes of Davenport sings during a Gymanfa Ganu at the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. The Gymanfa Ganu (pronounced guh-man-fa gon-ee) was traditionally incorporated into the Welsh church service, and descendants of the church's founding members hope to bring back the tradition. Foulkes is active in the Welsh language community in Iowa. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Susan Elliott of Lone Tree sings during a Gymanfa Ganu or 'Big Sing' at the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. The Gymanfa Ganu (pronounced guh-man-fa gon-ee) was traditionally incorporated into the Welsh church service, and descendants of the church's founding members hope to bring back the tradition. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
Herman and Carol Hein of Coralville sing during a Gymanfa Ganu or 'Big Sing' at the Welsh Church outside of Iowa City on Sunday, July 10, 2016. This year marks the 170th anniversary of the church's founding by Welsh immigrants. The Gymanfa Ganu (pronounced guh-man-fa gon-ee) was traditionally incorporated into the Welsh church service, and descendants of the church's founding members hope to bring back the tradition. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
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