Lakeside United Methodist Church

Lakeside Methodist Church was organized in 1884 by Mrs. Eleanor Avent. The first church building was built in 1891 on the present site which was donated by Brig. Gen. D.H. Reynolds, Mrs. Avent's son-in-law.

Rev. J. Ralph Clayton, appointed to Lakeside in 1946, saw the need for a new building. Money was raised and the church was built primarily by members. A major addition and renovation project was completed in 1987 under the leadership of the Rev. William O. "Bud" Reeves.

Lakeside welcomed its first woman minister, Rev. Paulette O'Dell, in 1991. Our present minister, Rev. Keith Goza came in 1995.

Active groups include the church choir directed by Beverly Rowe, the United Methodist Men and the Belles & Beaus. A handbell choir was formed in 1994 under Linda Haddock's direction and is now being directed by Greg Bland. A prayer group meets every Wednesday morning at the church, and the Lakeside Methodist Church Preschool continues to offer pre-school education with a Christian emphasis.

In 1986, Dr. Marvin Loyd established Loyd Christian Health Ministries to facilitate his mission work in Haiti. Marilynn Loyd, a delegate to the last three General Conferences, has served as a member of the General Council of Finance and Administration of the Methodist Church. In 1995, they received the Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award from Perkins School of Theology at SMU.

Karen Lingo began her mission work in the Philippines in 1986. She serves in the field of primary health care and has worked in Burkina Faso in Africa since 1990. The past few years, our Easter offering has supported the work of Marvin, Karen, UMCOR and Rev. Michael Munn in Alaska.

In 1988, the lay speakers from our church began services at the Chicot County Park. Several years ago, this ministry was extended to Pecan Park.

Lakeside United Methodist Church, a community of faith, continues to be active in living that faith in ministry and mission.