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Expansion
November, 1963 - Capital Funds Crusade conducted to raise
$75,000 to build a sanctuary and education facility for growing church.
Spring, 1966 - By the 10th Anniversary, the very first
Ecumenical Community Youth Council was established.
1966 - Architect contracted to design a sanctuary, new
parsonage purchased that would become the home of the present pastor and
future pastors.
June, 1968 - General Conference of the Methodist Church votes to merge with the Evangelical United Bretheren Church. Rev. Kenneth Bibbee becomes
the first pastor to serve as a United Methodist pastor.
March, 1971 - Building Committee chaired by Jim Shaw and
served by Bob Wilging, Richard Kamps, and Paul Tropf charged with exploring
expansion potential.
April, 1972 - Administrative board meets to affirm Building
Committee's recommendation of a 250-300 seat sanctuary and 13 classrooms.
Congregation votes 142-4 to authorize the plan.
November, 1972 - Administrative Board votes to sign a
contract with Visnapuu and Gaede for Phase One of the Master Plan.
April 4, 1973 - Grounbreaking for the new sanctuary and
classroom additions.
September 9, 1973 - The cornerstone in the new building is
placed.
December 23, 1973 - First service in the new sanctuary is
held.
February 17, 1974 - New sanctuary consecrated at an open
house with Bishop Kearns officiating and Dr. Frieling assisting.
Improvements
We have duly noted the three phases of our building projects, and while
the property and buildings are important, it is the people who make us what
we are. New people visiting for the first time have commented that we are a
"friendly" congregation. Our forbearers in the faith named our
church Lake Shore because they envisioned a new church that would reach the
people of Avon Lake and Sheffield Lake. Their vision was an open invitation
to the community.
With God's help we have achieved some remarkable and daunting tasks; our
facility alone is a testament to our determination to live out the dream of
our forbearers. Over the years, we have made many improvements to the
facility; we added a new Allen Organ, and a Schulmerich Carillon in 1983,
painted and carpeted the offices and hallways, and in 2004 the classrooms and
halls received a much needed facelift. In 2005, the Trustees and the
Committee on Finance presented a plan for a "Divine Design"
campaign. In the first phase, the outside appearance of the building was
addressed, and with God's help and the determination of a small band of
people over a period of less than a year, we were able to raise $55,000 for a
complete resurfacing and stripping of the parking lot. Presently, we are
working on curb appeal. Because of these outward changes, we are now a
welcoming presence in the community.
Another project just beginning is stained-glass additions to our Sanctuary
paid by memorials. The first windows should be completed, installed, and
dedicated by fall 2006.
Lake Shore began as a dream and a vision and we continue to dream and
vision. We are not afraid of change and we are committed to doing what it
takes to reach out to people and draw them closer to a relationship with
Jesus Christ.
Pastors of Lake Shore United Methodist Church
March 1956 - June 1956 - Dr. Wray Stickford
1956 - 1966 - Thomas Canton, first full time Pastor
1967 - Ronald Benson, Interim Pastor
1967 - 1978 - Kenneth Bibbee
1978 - 1985 - Bevan Kimmel
1985 - 1988 - John Peterson
1988 - 1991 - George Bender
1991 - 1997 - Meredith Coleman
1997 - 2003 - William Grant
2003 - 2005 - Charles A. Peal
2005 - Pres - Nancy S. Manner
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