WINONA LAKE – The Church of the Good Shepherd will celebrate its 100th anniversary Saturday with an open house.
Esther Eickhoff, administrative assistant with the Church of the Good Shepherd, said the open house will be from 2 to 4 p.m.
Church of the Good Shepherd was the first church in Winona Lake. The first service was in November 1924, said Caroline Nye, Good Shepherd Preschool director.
Eickhoff said in 1899 the Winona Federated Church started meeting. At the time, the church was nondenominational. From 1905 to 1913, the Winona Federated Church met at the Westminster Hotel.
In 1913, the church reorganized and became a Presbyterian church. The church became nondenominational again later in its history.
People like Billy Sunday and his wife attended the church.
“And actually, Ma Sunday gave money towards the purchase of the land (where the church is at, eventually),” Eickhoff said. “Ma Sunday loaned us $576 to put money on the lot.”
In 1923, the cornerstone was laid. The church was dedicated Aug. 3, 1924.
In August 2009, the congregation voted to change the name to Church of the Good Shepherd.
The church also has connections with Billy Graham.
Graham was at the Westminster Prayer Meeting. Nye said he was trying to decide to join Youth For Christ. He borrowed a key to the church and came to the sanctuary at the Church of the Good Shepherd early in the morning one day and prayed about what he should be doing. Eickhoff said Graham noted the prayer meeting launched his career.
During Saturday’s open house, people will be able to come into the church and see things like china dishes from the Ladies Aid Society. Bettie Rodeheaver, society member and mother of Homer Rodeheaver, is given credit for securing the dishes, according to provided information.
Also, people will be able to see the World War I Honor Roll. Due to the war, the Winona College and Academy closed and the Agriculture College did not open, which reduced the population of Winona Lake and affected the church. At the end of the war, those that served or helped the effort were placed on an honor roll.
Benches from the Billy Sunday Tabernacle will also be on display. The tabernacle was built in 1920, but was torn down in 1992 due to deterioration.
Pictures of all 17 pastors and the original curfew bell will be displayed. The curfew bell originally hung on the lakefront during the early years of Winona Lake. It rang at 10:30 p.m. to signal quiet hours began. It is now in the church’s belfry.
Guidebooks will be provided to visitors during the open house.
“We just want people to know the history (of the church) and enjoy,” Eickhoff said, noting the church was integral to the area.
Nye said she finds it fascinating to see something that is 100 years old.
On Sunday, there will be a service at 10:30 a.m. with all kinds of music.