I'm at the Hessel Valley Lutheran Church in the community of Chandlers Valley in Warren County. This is a small church in a small rural area. I want to find out why the King of Sweden came here almost 50 years ago.

Longtime church member Verne Ekdahl is giving me a tour.  He tells me that the Hessel Valley Lutheran Church was founded in 1854 as a place for Swedish immigrants to worship. He says a Swedish couple who first arrived here from Buffalo urged others to follow.

"They said to the group, ‘We have found the area where we need to be. It looks just like home. Low rolling hills. The soil is wonderful.” And the group of them came here to settle,” says Verne.

The original church was wooden. Before the end of that century, a new church, made of brick, was constructed. It was the mother church for Swedes in Western Pennsylvania and Southwestern New York. The church was a place to worship and a place to come for help.

"If you need to find a job, if you go to church somebody probably in church knew where there was a job. If you needed to borrow two dollars, or whatever it was, somebody at church could probably help you with that,” says Verne.

Because of the church's history, King Carl Gustaf, of Sweden, decided to attend Sunday services here in 1976. It was a big deal. For years, the chair in which he sat was looked upon with pride.

"Almost you could say we forgot which King we were supposed to be worshiping," recalls Verne.

Eventually the church population dwindled. In 2004, Hessel Valley was down to 12 members. The remaining congregation made a decision. They decided the church would focus on what it once was. A church that gives to those in need.

“That made all the difference, says Pastor Nancy Schwanke, who arrived soon after the decision.  “Once that started happening, that changed everything. People want to be a part of that."

Free monthly luncheons were started. They continue to this day. Any donations received at the luncheon are given to the local food pantry. Drive-thru benefit dinners are also held. This month a benefit will be held for Aaron Quiggle a man from Sugar Grove.

 "He has colon cancer,” says Sally Fiscus, President of the Church Council. “He's undergone one surgery and he's currently undergoing chemo and radiation and he's going to have to have more surgery."

Last Sunday, 55 people attended services at this giving church.

The benefit drive-thru Spaghetti Dinner for Aaron Quiggle will be held Saturday, April, 26, at the church in Chandlers Valley. The hours are 3 pm to 6 pm. By the way, King Carl Gustaf, who visited the church 49 years ago, is still the reigning King of Sweden.