Labors of love produce histories of churches

Photos, archives, interviews yield gems on communities' pastBy Christina Lee KnaussKnight Ridder COLUMBIA - The book with the bright red cover is big and heavy enough to be used as a doorstop. Its cover reads in bright gold letters, "A History of St. Luke's Lutheran Church Within the Olympia-Pacific Community ... 1904-2004, One-Hundred Years." At more than 500 pages, this massive book, full of photographs, testimonials and membership rosters, is the result of more than five years of work by one woman: Merlene Byars. Byars, a lifelong resident of West Columbia, is the church historian for St. Luke's Lutheran, a congregation of about 100 people nestled in the midst of the historical Olympia community on the west side of Columbia. More information: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/local/10420069.htm