Mary-Beth Clementine

Mary-Beth Clementine came to Butler County a few times, and played religious hymns at the Miracle Congregation's church. She's mentioned two times, though the first visit from 1949 was significantly more substantial: "Miracle Congregation Welcomes Mary-Beth Clementine with Open Arms." The article mentions that the church's leader was moved when he heard Mary-Beth's recording of one of his favorite hymns "His Eye is on the Sparrow" and reached out to her personally: "His Eye is on the Sparrow holds a very special meaning to me. As you know I've had a very difficult upbringing and it's no secret that my own eyes have always been a source of struggle. The song is about overcoming sadness and hardship through Jesus. If God can find a way to watch over every sparrow he can certainly watch over those made in his image. My family's fortune does me no good as a man of the Lord. It's much better spent spreading His word, and I've felt a kinship with Mary-Beth ever since I heard her voice. When I learned her personal story, I knew I had to help her in whatever way I could. The bible is full of adoptions, from Moses to Esther. Spending your life taking care of those helpless to help themselves is incredibly noble. She and her son are welcome to stay in our guest home." The second visit was a few years later, in 1953. The article mentions that her first visit was a massive success and at the insistence of Miracle's congregation she's returned for an encore performance. It also mentions that the "unusual circumstances of her second son's adoption have prevented her from touring recently" but doesn't clarify.