* The year was 1942, during World War II. In the midst of the world’s unrest, Lakewood residents sought spiritual refuge. At the time, there was only one other Church, Lakewood Village Community, and the residents felt the need for a Methodist Church. So a small group of people went door-to-door with a petition to build. The Church began with around 20 members and has grown to 236 members.
* The first organizational meeting was held on Sunday, January 31, 1943, at the Girl Scout Ranch House, at Bellflower Blvd. and Carson St., which still stands today.
* The first official church meeting took place on Feb. 7 in the home of one of the early members. Later, Griffith, Walker and Lee, the contractor building homes in Lakewood, offered the use of their lumber storage building to hold services on Sunday mornings. The first service was Feb. 14, 1943 and the first Sunday School was on Feb. 21, 1943.
* In April, 1943, a Building Committee negotiated the purchase of two lots on the corner of Bellflower Blvd. and Harvey Way, where the Church stands today. Two lots were donated. Building started in the spring of 1944. The contractor supplied part of the labor and the rest was donated by members. Only $1,000 of new materials could go into the building because of war time restrictions. The new building, 40 feet by 70 feet, was dedicated July, 1944.
* Up to this time, there had been no regular Minister. The pulpit was filled by guest Ministers and members. In January, 1944, Rev. Harry White, a retired minister, was asked to help and give guidance.
* June, 1944, the women joined WSCS, Women’s Society of Christian Service. Their income was used to furnish the kitchen in the Church.
* Ground breaking for the next addition, the Sanctuary, was on April 29, 1945 and finished in September, 1945, at a cost of $5,600. The completed building was to be used as combined sanctuary, social hall, Boy Scout room and church school.
* The first fund raising campaign came in October, 1949. This was to raise money to build the permanent sanctuary, $20,000 was pledged by the local congregation. Gifts came from the Harbor District Missionary Union and Southern California Methodist Headquarters to bring the total to $31,500.
* In November, 1953, $193,000 was raised in pledges to pay off the Sanctuary indebtedness and begin construction of the Educational and Fellowship Hall unit of the master plan. Ground breaking for the building of nine classrooms and Fellowship Hall was on February 6, 1955. In January, 1956, dedication services for the Sanctuary and consecration of the Educational Building and Fellowship Hall was held. Bishop Baker and Bishop Kennedy were in attendance.
* In June, 1961, $135,000 was borrowed for the final addition of the Nursery Wing, Youth Classrooms, Office Wing, Choir Room and Chapel.
* January, 1962, with all building completed, consecrated services were held with Dr. Walters, District Superintendent, Bishop Baker, Rev. Marvin Johnson and Dr. Kells Swenerton, for whom the Chapel is named, participating.
* MORE OF OUR CHURCH HISTORY WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON!
