Lakeville United Methodist Church turns 150 this year and to celebrate the congregation is hosting an open house Sunday, Aug. 6 beginning at 1 p.m.
‘The whole public’s invited,? according to church member Bob Godkin, of Addison.
And if you like what you see, you’re more than welcome to join.
Although the actual church was built on Milmine Road in 1856, the congregation itself had its start in 1834 in the home of William Hagerman on the road bearing his family name.
A Methodist Circuit Rider by the name of Rev. Chatfield, who traveled here from Pontiac on horseback through the forest trails, organized the first church body with Hagerman as the leader.
Circuit Riders were basically traveling clergymen by necessity who held religious services in private homes until church buildings were erected. The preacher was expected to serve a large number of small churches over a wide area.
After 22 years, the Lakeville congregation finally decided to build a 30 x 40 church in town. It would have a steeple and be the only church edifice in northeastern Oakland County.
A lot has changed in the world during the 150 years since the church was constructed, but one thing remains the same ? its people.
‘It really is a very friendly church,? said Rev. Thomas K. Spencer, who ‘God serves as pastor of both the Lakeville and Thomas United Methodist Churches. ‘I think they are willing to accept anybody.?
Lakeville exemplifies the UMC motto of ‘Open hearts, open minds, open doors? in the pastor’s opinion.
‘I wouldn’t call the church conservative,? Spencer explained. ‘It’s a church that is, at least in their acceptance of people, somewhat liberal.?
‘I would call the church traditional, but not afraid to try new things.?
With just over 100 members and an average Sunday attendance of about 30, Spencer’s wife, Kim, who serves as pastor of Trinity UMC in Waterford, described the Lakeville church as ‘small, but not closed.?
‘It’s a community where people are interested in knowing who you are and are willing to embrace you,? she said.
‘A church where they’re not just a face in the crowd,? added Thomas Spencer.
‘If somebody new shows up, we make an effort to welcome them,? Godkin said.
‘I haven’t come across any clique-ism,? Spencer noted.
‘If somebody were just looking for a small community church, this would be the place to come,? said Kim.
Lakeville UMC is also a place where worship isn’t viewed as a somber chore.
‘They do a lot of laughing and smiling during worship service,? Spencer said. ‘They understand that worship is not just a serious thing.?
‘God wants us to have life abundant and part of having life abundant is enjoying life. And part of enjoying life is being happy about being in worship. It isn’t walk in and sit there and wait to be spoon-fed.?
Congregation members talk to each other both before and after worship.
‘They understand that fellowship is a part of worship,? Spencer said.
Godkin noted, ‘It’s a generous church,? where everyone is willing to pitch in when it comes to special collections and projects.
One of the things that makes Lakeville UMC unique is the majority of its membership are older people of retirement age and beyond.
‘We don’t have any youth,? said Spencer, emphasizing that church attendance in general is a cyclical thing, meaning people leave when they’re young adults and return when they’re older and have children.
Godkin is an example of an older member who left the church for a while, then returned.
He attended Sunday school there as a youth and later had his two daughters baptized there.
After an absence of many years, he and wife both felt a ‘need? to return about five or six years ago.
‘It was time,? he said. ‘My faith is stronger than it’s ever been since I got back.?
‘Eventually, everybody comes home,? Kim noted.
Despite the congregation’s more advanced age, Kim said they’re quite healthy and active in the community.
‘They are some of the most active retirees I have ever met,? she said. ‘They’re doers. They don’t sit home.?
However, they admitted it would be nice to have some young people in the church again, especially to accomplish projects.m
‘Those are the ones we need to start taking over some of the duties,? Godkin said. ‘We’re getting too old to do a lot of this stuff that needs to be done. But there’s nobody else to do it.?
But if the church doesn’t get an influx of youth, it’s not the end of the world, according to Spencer.
‘The church will and can survive without kids if they’re ministering and inviting older folks in,? he said.
Touching on that thought, Kim said, ‘I think there are probably plenty of folks from this community who are newly retired or (who) moved back into the area and are looking for a place that they can be comfortable in.?
If you think Lakeville could be the church for you or would like to learn more about it’s history, then feel free to attend the Open House on Aug. 6.
The event will begin with a luncheon at 1 p.m. catered by the Bear Paw Cafe. A special 2 p.m. service will follow with a keynote speech given by Rev. Peggy Paige, superintendent of the Port Huron District Board of Mission, which oversees Lakeville UMC.
Three of Lakeville’s previous pastors ? Emerson Arntz, Mary Margaret Eckhardt and Gloria Haynes ? will also be in attendance.
The Wilson sisters from Pontiac are coming to sing gospel music during the service.
Longtime members will be invited to share their memories of the church.
Fellowship and cake will follow the service.
To ensure there’s enough food, those planning to attend are asked to RSVP with Pastor Spencer. He can be reached at either (248) 623-0746 or (989) 329-5905.