Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church

Can you hear the whispers of history echoing through the rafters? We stand before the Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church, a testament to the enduring faith and community spirit of Lakeside. The church’s story begins in 1883, long before this building graced this corner. A small group of 13 faithful souls formed Lakeside’s first church. They held their services on the porch of the Lakeside Inn, near where the post office now stands. Imagine them, gathered together, their voices rising in prayer against the backdrop of a burgeoning town. Fast forward to 1895. The congregation had outgrown the inn’s porch. Construction began on a new sanctuary at the corner of Parkside Street and Maine Avenue, right where we stand today. The first service within these very walls took place on February 9, 1896. The Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church became a cornerstone of the community. The church’s bell, likely installed in 1896, became a symbol of unity and hope. During World War I, the women of Lakeside would gather daily at noon. The bell would ring seven times, once for each letter in the word “victory”. They would then offer prayers for their loved ones fighting overseas. This practice, initiated here at Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church, spread across the nation, a testament to the power of faith and community in times of conflict. The church’s name officially became Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church in 1948. This change reflected its evolving role in the community. Over the years, the church expanded to accommodate its growing congregation. A Sunday School wing was added in 1914, army barracks were converted into classrooms in 1948, and a new Christian Education Building was constructed on Channel Road in 1953. Through floods and growth, the Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church remained a steadfast presence in Lakeside, a beacon of faith, hope, and community. Its story is interwoven with the history of Lakeside, a testament to the enduring spirit of this town.