Manitoba church celebrates 75 years

Lakeview Community Church, Killarney, Man. celebrated its 75th anniversary July 5–6.

The church started when Mennonites began to settle in the Holmfield and Lena areas in the 1920s. Desiring worship and fellowship, they gathered in homes at first. On March 13, 1928 they met in the Holmfield area to arrange for church services. Henry Unger was the first leading minister of that group. A baptism of 12 people was held that year.

Because travel was difficult, a church was also established in the Lena area. Abram Wiebe became leading minister of this group.

Each area had their own buildings but once a month they met together for combined worship and communion. In 1959 the Holmfield congregation became too small and amalgamated with the Lena group. Their building became inadequate for the needs and the congregation decided to build, re-locating to Killarney.

The new building was dedicated as the Lakeview MB Church May 5, 1968, exactly one year after the sod-turning. The church is now known as Lakeview Community Church.

The theme of the 75th celebration was “His faithfulness continues through all generations”. Many former members returned to join in thanksgiving, praise, and reminiscing. Saturday’s events included a baseball game and tours of the sites of former church buildings, a roast beef supper served in the new facilities, and an informal service of looking back to the earlier years.

Sunday, former choir director John Neufeld, now of Abbotsford, B.C. led a choir consisting of many present and former members. Ernie Bergen, the congregation’s first paid pastor, gave the anniversary message.

—Mary Penner