Celebrating 75 years

1923 - The official boards of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches come together and agree on a plan of cooperation - to last one year.

Jan. 1924 - The Rev. H. Irving Parrott is called from Springfield, Illinois to take on the great task of uniting the two churches.

Dec. 1924 - Meeting is held for the adoption and signing of the Constitution and Statement of Faith and Purpose of The Community Church about 350 charter members.

1924 - 1925 - Services are held one month in the Presbyterian Church, one month in the Congregational Church. Ultimately, the Community Church would be housed in the Congregational Church, with the Presbyterian Church building used as "The Community Church House" until razed in the early 1960's.

April 1926 - Rev. Parrott dies from influenza and pneumonia. Rev. C.A. Lemon graciously steps in as temporary pastor.

1926 - Rev. F.W. Heldstab accepts call as pastor. An ambitious building program is envisioned during 1928 but cannot be realized. Heldstab left in 1931.

1931 - Rev. C.A. Lemon fills in again.

Oct. 1931 - Rev. Paul Haskell Clark becomes pastor and the church enjoys a steady growth of membership during his time here.

Sept. 7, 1947 - The Stearns Memorial Organ is dedicated, the work of redecorating the sanctuary is in progress.

Nov. 12, 1950 - A dedication service is held for the redecorated church and new chancel furnishings.

June 1953 - Rev. Clark is called to Detroit. Rev. Erling Edwardsen, a Methodist minister, becomes temporary pastor.

July 1954 - Rev. A. Allison Amstutz accepts the call to become pastor. A few months later a Congregational meeting is held to discuss the church building program with John R. Scotford, a nationally know church building consultant.

Feb. 1955 - Five study committees are appointed to investigate the needs of the church. During this year the work is completed and recommendations are made to the congregation.

April 1956 - Glen Beach, of Saginaw, is selected as the new building architect.

1956 - Al Juterbock assisted Rev. Al Amstutz in youth work.

March 31, 1957 - The congregation sees and approves the plans; the vote to "go ahead" is unanimous.

May 26, 1958 - Ground breaking ceremonies are held.

Feb. 8, 1959 - Al Juterbock ordained PCUSA at Community Church.

Nov. 22, 1959 - Dedication services are held for the new Church School building.

March 1967 - Rev. Amstutz dies following a 6 months illness. Dr. Ernest Schroeder becomes temporary pastor.

Sept. 1967 - Rev. Frederic W. McNeil accepts the call to the pastorate.

July 1969 - H. Robert Case is ass't pastor for a short period, and is currently a member of Michigan UCC conference.

Summer 1970 - Community Church celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Congregational Church, which was organized in July, 1870. Note that the Presbyterian Church was organized in 1874 by a number of members of the Congregational Church, who were originally of Presbyterian heritage.

Aug. 1970 - Rev. McNeil resigns. Goes to the Ithaca Presbyterian Church in Michigan.

Sept. 1970 - Dr. John Figley, retired Methodist pastor, hired as interim pastor to fill pulpit every other Sunday.

May 16, 1971 - Rev. A.D. William Collins accepts unanimous call of the congregation to serve as pastor.

1972 - Men's prayer group started - becomes Men's Prayer Breakfast.

April 20, 1975 - Rev. George Eckstein called as assistant pastor.

Sept. 1, 1976 - Rev. Eckstein resigns as ass't pastor to move to "The Word of God" community in Ann Arbor.

Sept. 11, 1977 - Rev. Doug Darnold becomes assistant pastor.

June 19, 1980 - Ordination service held by Presbytery of Lake Michigan for John A. Brown (former member of Community Church) at Community Church.

May 31, 1981 - Doug Darnold accepts call to a PCUSA church in Iowa.

Nov. 1, 1981 - Rev. Stephen Goodrum becomes associate pastor.

Oct. 29, 1980 - Bethel Bible Study begins with 126 people registered.

June 1982 - Herb Chinworth and Bill Collins take Stephens Ministry training. First group commissioned in >82 - >83.

Nov. 6, 1986 - Pastor Stephen Goodrum resigns effective November 30, 1986. Went to the Milford Michigan Presbyterian church.

Sept. 13, 1987 - Contemporary Choir debuts.

Feb. 22, 1987 - Rev. Wilbur Closterhouse, retired PCUSA pastor, invited by Board of Elders to work 2 days a week as a part-time interim associate minster.

March 20, 1988 - Rev. Robert Faulman called as associate pastor.

April 9, 1989 - Rev. Faulman officially installed as associate minister by Lake Michigan Presbytery.

Jan. 13, 1991 - United Prayer for Peace service held for Gulf War crisis.

March 10, 1991 - Second group of Stephen Ministers commissioned. Training had begun October 8, 1980, led by Bob & Peg Faulman.

June 27, 1993 - Daryl Beltz family is commissioned to serve as missionaries in the Philippines with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Aug. 8, 1993 - Congregation votes to begin work on plans for new building addition.

Feb. 1994 - Rev. Bob Faulman accepts call to pastorate of Bayshore/Boyne City, MI yoked Presbyterian churches.

July 10, 1994 - Ground breaking ceremony for new addition.

July 16, 1994 - Community Church helps sponsor, along with Mason Co. Men for Christ, the First Annual West Michigan Faith Fair at the West Michigan Fairgrounds.

April 9, 1995 - Blessing and dedication of new chancel windows.

May 7, 1995 - Church building addition is dedicated and 125th anniversary celebrated.

May 1996 - Seven persons attended a Willow Creek church leadership conference. In October, eighteen people attended.

June 1996 - J. Matthew Bonzo hired to serve as small group coordinator. Contract renewed in December, position renamed "Minister of Discipleship."

May 19, 1996 - Potluck held to celebrate Pastor Bill Collins' 25th anniversary at Community Church.

1996 - Joined Willow Creek Association

June 15, 1997 - New mission statement adopted: "We are the people of God, devoted to Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, called to Go Make Disciples."

April 15 - 19, 1997 - Impact World Tour crusade is held at Ludington High School. This marks a time of great cooperation and unified effort by all the churches of the community.

May 31, 1997 - First meeting of Community Church Promise Keepers men's group.

Nov. 23, 1997 - New constitution is adopted by congregation. To take effect January, 1998.

Aug. 1998 - Matt Bonzo accepts a teaching position at Cornerstone College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Oct. 1, 1998 - Chuck Haff, Tentmaker, is hired as Youth Director.

Dec. 31, 1998 - Bill Collins retires after 27 1/2 years of devoted ministry (service) to the Community Church.

Jan. 1, 1999 - Rev. James Brammer becomes interim pastor.

Aug. 30, 1999 - Chuck Haff leaves.

Oct. 10, 1999 - Burning of the 1995 mortgage is celebrated during morning worship service.

Dec. 12, 1999 - 75^th anniversary of the Community Church is celebrated during the morning worship service.

July 17, 2000 Rev. Dr. Richard Loerop become senior pastor 

August 31st 2005 is the last day as senior pastor for  Rev. Dr. Richard Loerop. Community Church faces rebuilding and healing challenges as a result of Dr. Loerop's removal. May God provide for and heal everyone on both sides of the issues and may the peace of Jesus Christ prevail. 

The reverends Wayne Buskerk and Ron Houk ser as Co-Interim pastors until June of 2007, when Bret Spalding became our senior pastor.

The Wood Carvings Of Rev. A Allison Amstutz

Reverend Amstutz was Pastor of Community Church from 1954 until 1967.  He blessed the church with many wonderful wood carvings, many of which remain on display in the church today.  This page gives a written and pictorial record of the work of this ARTISAN FOR GOD.

Photo History Of Community Church Pastors