BACKGROUND/HISTORY
Church of the
Living Christ of Loysville is the outgrowth of a home Bible study, which
started on or about May 1, 1981. On Sunday, August 9, 1981, a group meeting was
held at the pavilion adjacent to the former Loysville schoolhouse following a
picnic lunch. It was then and there that a decision was made to form a
congregation with the first worship service to be held August 16, - 1981, at
a site to be announced during the week. With nothing knowingly available, a
barn service was held at 10:30 a.m. at Blain with 47 people in attendance.
Not only was it the first worship service, but also it was the occasion of
the first child dedication in the congregation.
On August 19,
1981, the congregation held Bible study at Madison Grange and all services
were held there through September 13, 1981, after which the congregation
moved to the former Mount Vernon United Brethren in Christ building at Erly
which was not being used.
On September 17,
1981, the congregation was incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Law
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as, "Church
of the Living Christ of Loysville." Ten acres of land
were purchased as a proposed building site with a deed being issued for the
same on October 15, 1981.
A groundbreaking
ceremony was held Wednesday evening, September 19, 1984, and on October 4,
1984, excavation was begun for the construction of the present facility. On
June 9,1985, the congregation held its first worship service herein and on
Sunday, October 13, 1985, the facility was formally dedicated to the Lord for
His glory.
Steady growth in
the congregation led to the necessity of establishing two Sunday morning
worship services, beginning October 6, 1991. On Sunday, February 21, 1993,
ground was broken for the addition of an educational wing onto the existing
building. That same day a recently purchased 15-passenger church van was
dedicated to the Lord's use.
On October 17,
1993, we had a building dedication service. January 1995 employed our first
part-time church secretary. Then on July 14th, Junior Church began during
second service.
Percy Kegarise,
our first pastor, was called home to be with the Lord on August 22, 1995.
On September
20-22, 1996, the church held its first Mission Conference.
In the year of
1997 we began with the 3rd note burning service, January 19. Then approved to
set up "Expansion Fund" with money -" that had previously been
designated for the mortgage (2nd Sunday " offering minus 10% for
missions plus any general fund surplus over $5000.00 at the end of each
month). Council and/or congregation will use this fund for future expansions
of our church ministry or facilities as directed.
On July 1, 1997,
Nate and Claudia Sheaffer were approved to become part-time youth leaders
with salary of $600.00 a month.
September 25,
1997, the congregation decided to create a position of Associate Pastor. Then
on October 30th, congregation voted to accept Ron Weigel as Associate Pastor.
Ron Weigel was installed as Associate Pastor on December 7th.
In May 1998,
first Task Force meeting was held. In July 1998, we printed our first
newsletter, and the youth group went to Dothan, Alabama, to help build Dothan
Community Church for Chester McFarland as their mission trip. In October 2-4,
we held our second Mission's Conference.
On January
19,1999, ministry of M.O.P.S. started. Beginning in February we began having
a monthly church calendar. April 13, Pastor Maughan's resignation as pastor
became effective.
Truly God has
been good to us and blessed us so abundantly. We thank Him and praise Him for
all that He has done and brought to pass. To Him be the glory!
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