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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 consecreated
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 forbeareres
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 geginning 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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