MEMBER PROFILE

GOSPEL BARN SUGAR BUSH
by Terry Coleman

When I saw a listing for the Gospel Barn Sugar Bush, I couldn't wait to talk with Scott and Becky Wiley. Their operation is very traditional and unique. Scott was lucky to have a grandfather with a deep love of sugaring who wanted to enrich his grandchildren's lives with exposure to nature. Scott's grandpa grew up in Hillsdale County and bought the land where Scott now lives in the late 50's. The 30 acres of land has timber on it, but no maples. The grandfather located many available roadside trees and hung as many as 500 buckets. Boiling was done on a 3'x16' arch with three large flat copper pans joined by siphon.

Scott says he started making syrup at age nine with his sister and four cousins. The grandfather made them their own sugarhouse next to his with a scaled down evaporator like his. It was approximately 2'x8' with four flat copper pans. He supplied the sap and helped out and then would sell their syrup and give them the money. The grandfather also built a building that looks like a barn, but with stage and set-up for performances. He loved traditional gospel music and played the saxophone. Soon, the Gospel Barn was in business treating the public to their own band and many visiting groups.

Scott's family moved to Florida where he spent most of his later school years. The grandfather would fly them up at spring break to make syrup every year. In 1974, Scott and Becky moved back and took over running the Gospel Barn. From the first of April until the end of October, they attract approximately 350 people every Saturday night. Scott plays trombone in the house band. His other career is producing his own rustic twig furniture.

In 1988, Scott's grandparents were killed in a car crash and although the large sugarhouse is silent now, the Wiley's are still making syrup on the same small evaporator Scott used as a kid. Using around 120 roadside buckets, they produce 40 to 50 gallons per year. Some is sold and some is given away. Scott boils, Becky cans and mom, dad and the Wiley's two children help out.

Scott hopes his children will carry on after he's gone. His plans are to fix-up the large sugarhouse and go much larger as his children get older. To visit, take 49 south from the town of Allen to Bankers Road. Turn left and go 2 miles. Look for the Gospel Barn sign.