BY NATALIE GILSTRAP
Special to the Monitor
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS – Community Church recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.
“This is a testament to God’s grace, it’s a testament to God’s faithfulness and all the people,” said Pastor Ray Peters.
Established in 1923, the church was founded by a group that first met at the Keystone School House. The small congregation formed a board of trustees with the city’s founder, J.J. Lawrence as the chairman.
In 1924, construction for the original church building began and served its purpose for 41 years until the current sanctuary was built in 1966.
In the late 1980s, the church adopted a contemporary style of worship, focusing more on the spiritual relationship with God.
“The mission of Community Church is knowing Jesus and making Him known,” Peters said. “We are a non-denominational Jesus church. It’s all about Jesus and gospel-centered. We’re all about proclaiming Jesus and the message of grace.”
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the church held a centennial celebration on September 10 at its Robert Morford Family Life Center.
Residents, members, and city officials such as Mayor Nina Rodenroth, City Manager Lynn Rutkowski, and City Council members Tony Brown and Steve Hart attended the event, showing their support for the church’s ongoing history.
During the celebration, Peters welcomed everyone and acknowledged the hard work of the Centennial Committee.
In addition, Lynde Jones, the chair of the Centennial Committee, spoke to the audience about the church’s humble beginnings and thanked the individuals who put the celebration together.
Key contributors such as Johnny Brooks and former church pastor Rob Morford also spoke at the event, sharing their testimonies and stories about the congregation.
Lastly, Mayor Rodenroth announced that September 10th is Community Church Day, and the Keystone Heights Heritage Commission presented the congregation with a Heritage Commission plaque.
The celebration had almost 400 attendees enjoying the festivities, such as viewing historical photos of the church’s history and having lunch and dessert.
“I think it’s fantastic,” Rutkowski exclaimed. “What a way to bring together the community and showcase what they have done for the past 100 years.”
Now, the Centennial Committee is working toward finishing a commemorative coloring book and plans to participate in the annual holiday parade.
Lastly, the church is looking toward the future as it shepherds the next generation of youth and stays true to its vision.
“The vision is staying true to Jesus,” said Peters.
