CBL Character Timeline from 1879-1984

The nine Church Basement Ladies musicals all tell one continuous story, but they were not written in chronological order of the character’s lives. As audience demand inspired each new musical, the creative team had fun jumping around in time – writing prequels and sequels to tell the complete history of a fictional rural Lutheran church and the ladies who serve in its basement.

We can easily track the history of this little community thru the lives of two particular characters, Beverly and her mother Karin.

Beverly grows up in this kitchen, playing Mary in the Christmas program (CBL3), getting confirmed (CBL4), heading off to college and getting married, (CBL1), raising children (CBL2 and CBL5) and, eventually,  stepping into her mother’s role in the kitchen. (CBL9)

Karin’s role also changes over the years, going from mother-of-the-bride (CBL1) , to becoming a grandmother and a widow on the same day (CBL2), a Stephan’s Minister (CBL9) and, as President of the Church Council, being charged with closing the church. (CBL5)

After nine musicals, we have come to know the history of the church –  and of the ladies – over the span of 100+ years!

Here is a brief timeline of the history of the ladies and the church, as told thru these beloved shows.

 

  • The church was founded in 1879 by ancestors of both Karin and Vivian. The existing church was built in 1901, and Vivian was the first child baptized there. (CBL5)
  • In 1933 Vivian marries Lars Snustad. He passes away in 1939.
  • In 1943 Karin marries Elroy Engleson.
  • In 1944 they build their new basement kitchen, and Mavis charges in for the first time. Baby Beverly is born. (CBL5)
  • In 1957 Vivian’s barn is destroyed in a tornado. (CBL7)
  • Christmas 1959 Beverly plays Mary, and Helen Caudill comes to be a parish worker at the church. (CBL3)
  • Oct 1960, Pastor and Helen are married. (CBL4).
  • Dec 1960, the congregation records a reel to reel for Wayne. (CBL8)
  • 1964 marks the 75th Anniversary of the town, Beverly attends the U, and we finally meet Karin’s husband Elroy. (CBL6)
  • Beverly marries Harry Hauge in 1968 (CBL1)
  • In 1969 Beverly returns from the Cities and has her first baby. (CBL2)
  • Pastor moves to the Cities in 1970, and Karin’s husband passes away. (CBL2)
  • In 1975 Pastor comes back to serve as Interim, and Karin becomes a Stephan’s Minister. (CBL9)
  • 1979 marks the Centennial of the church, and Karin announces the church will be closing. Vivian marries Oscar. (CBL5)
  • In 1984 Beverly writes a book about her life growing up with these ladies. She calls it, THE STORY OF MY LIFE. (CBL7)

THE SHOWS IN STORY ORDER

CBL3: AWAY IN THE BASEMENT: 1959

The day of the annual Sunday School Christmas program featuring 15 year old Beverly as Mary. Helen Caudill, the new parish worker, arrives and catches Pastor’s eye. In addition, the ladies make Vivian “Queen for the Day”

CBL4: A MIGHTY FORTRESS (IS OUR BASEMENT): 1960

Reformation Sunday, 1960 – the day of Pastor’s wedding to Helen. Flashbacks to events from the past year include Reading for the Minister (Beverly’s confirmation) and the county fair, where Vivian’s pickles win Grand Champion. Mavis almost loses her farm; Karin learns to drive; the basement floods; and Vivian gets tipsy in the Catholic kitchen.

CBL 8: HARK! THE BASEMENT LADIES SING: DEC 1960

The congregation is gathering for a potluck supper to record a reel-to-reel message for one of our boys serving overseas in Germany. Arlo shares the Christmas story, the audience sings along on Christmas carols, and everyone joins in for an Elvis medley.

CBL 6: RISE UP ON MEN: 1964

Is it the Diamond Jubilee of the township and the men are making some repairs in the church kitchen. Beverly has graduated from HS and is off at camp; we meet Roger the furnace salesman, Arlo an old war vet, and Elroy, the local John Deere dealer. Karin suffers from empty nest syndrome and loses her Mother’s ring; Mavis is in menopause; Pastor questions his purpose.

 

CBL1: ORIGINAL: 1964-1968

Signe (Beverly) is away at the U in the Cities and Mavis is in menopause. The ladies host a Hawaiian themed furnace fundraiser, Willie passes away, Vivian hands over the kitchen to Karin, and Signe gets married.

CBL2: A SECOND HELPING: 1969-1970

Beverly moves home and has a baby; Elroy passes away; Pastor moves to the Cities, Vivian begins dating Oscar and goes to the Cities; the ladies make baby Katie a quilt.

 

CBL 9: PLOWIN’ THRU: 1975-1976

It has been 5 years since Pastor left and the church is struggling. As Pastor comes back to fill in as interim, Karin becomes a leader in the church. Beverly, now a mother of three, begins to take on a larger role in the kitchen.

CBL5: THE LAST (POTLUCK) SUPPER: 1979

The church is celebrating its Centennial with a reunion on the lawn; Pastor returns for the celebration. Beverly has 4 children, Karin, now President of the Church Council, makes the difficult decision they must close the church. We meet the members of the Cemetery Board, the church holds and auction and  donates the stove, and we flashback to 1901 to meet Vivian’s grandparents.

CBL7: YOU SMELL BARN: 1984 (with action taking place from 1953-1957)

Beverly has written a book about growing up in Viking Township. She takes us back to when she was a little girl in overalls, visiting the ladies in their home environments with her wagon and her imaginary friend, Jimmy. We meet Earl the mailman, Tillie the town news reporter, and Fergus the hired man. Butch’s barn is struck by lightening so the Midsummer celebration is held in Vivian’s barn. Russell’s boy goes missing in Korea. A tornado destroys Vivian’s barn.