1954

• • Hodson’s moved to Lebanon to pursue the vision given to him by God while he served in the military

1955

• • Prayer meeting began at Bob and Olive’s home

1956

• • Reverend William Hansen was appointed as the first pastor of Lebanon Free Methodist Church 

  • The Conference Evangelistic board sent a $2,000 check for the purchase of the two lots on the corner of 7th and F streets

  • September 19th was the first prayer meeting with an appointed pastor

  • On November 4th the first Sunday service began with 11 people and an offering of $2.30

  • November 25th saw an answer to prayer!  The Iles family showed up almost doubling the congregation and to top it off, Travis was a builder

1957 

• • Construction began of the parsonage-chapel unit early this year

  • January 6th-The Weatherly family began attending (yes, our very own Gary Weatherly)

  • August 21st was the date the parsonage-chapel was used for a prayer service

  • October 6th-The church was dedicated by our Superintendent, Reverend W.S. Kendall

1958

• • Reverend Hansen moved on to Washington and Wesley Dodge was appointed as pastor

1959

• • A building committee was elected for the sanctuary

1960

• • The first service was held in the partially completed sanctuary on Easter

1961

• • The Sweet Home church was planted.  The Gillett and Hodson families went to assist in the planting of this new fellowship.

  • Bible quizzing championships

1963

• • In August, construction on the fellowship hall wing began

1972

• • Reverend Miller was appointed as pastor

  • A loan from the conference was given for construction of the nursery wing

    • The wing was started and completed 

  • There were 135 members, CYC program, pre-school Bible hour during the weeks with up to 75 kids attending, and an active Women’s Missionary Society

1975

• • Robert Stanton was appointed as pastor

  • April-Dick Kammerzell became a part-time youth pastor

  • August saw the purchase of a bus for a youth bus ministry 

  • In October the parsonage was moved across the street, to its current location

1977

• • Mark Tjepkema was appointed as pastor

1978

• • The ‘Cedar Chip Puppet Team began its ministry with the help of the Stockhoffs and Riekes

1980’s

• • We had a church choir!

1982

• • Rev. Tjepkema resigned and the Rev. Caldwell was appointed as pastor

  • In March LFMC hosted a conference-wide Junior High retreat

1983

• • A children’s play was a highlight of the year-“Bullfrogs and Butterflies” was directed by Marilyn Caldwell

1984

• • The Food Pantry ministry began

  • The sound room above the sanctuary was added

    • Clinton McCraven served as our first Sound Tech

1986

• • The Caldwell’s resigned and Gary Widrig was appointed as pastor

  • Celebrated church’s 30th anniversary

1990’S

• • CLC (Christian Life Club) was an active ministry here at the church

  • Summer Sunday School ran

  • Lawrence and Dorothy Gillett headed up an on-going project rolling bandages for missionaries in Rwanda

1991

• • Bible Bowl here at the church

1992

• • On May 10th a group wedding vow renewal was held 

1997

• • The youth attended IYC 

1998

• • The Widrig’s were reappointed to Willamina and Rev. Ed Skipper appointed to Lebanon

2000

• • The youth attended IYC 

2003

• • The youth attended IYC

2008

• • The foyer was remodeled, new carpet, paint, and the chairs were purchased

2009

• • Trevor and Shanette were appointed as pastors to Lebanon and Gene and Joyce Mumau came to help with the transition

  • Wednesday Night Family Night with free meals started

2010

• • The youth group hosted a Valentine’s dinner to fundraise for a youth Conference 

  • In April the youth attended Acquire the Fire

  • In August, kids and youth attended Fir Point youth camp

2011

• • Fundraisers and special offerings began to raise money for remodeling 

  • In April the youth attended Acquire the Fire

  • In August 13 people participated in a 10-day mission trip to El Salvador

  • Also in August, kids and youth attended Fir Point youth camp

2012

• • The remodeling fund was reached and the sanctuary was resided, insulated, and got new windows 

  • The youth group hosted a Valentine’s dinner to fundraise for a youth Conference 

  • In April the youth attended Acquire the Fire

  •  In July an End-of-Life seminar was hosted by the church to address end-of-life issues

  • In August, kids and youth attended Fir Point youth camp