Our Heritage…

In 1870, the Chippewa Lake area was nothing more than a series of farms. But in 1873, a rural village was laid out. A few years later it had become a small but successful summer resort along the Eastern Shore of Chippewa Lake.

In 1875, Rev. V.A. Bonwell and nine dedicated members formed the United Brethren Church, a denomination having it’s origin among the German-speaking people of the area. Services were held in a local schoolhouse.

The church officers soon arranged for the purchase of the Lafayette Methodist Episcopal Church for $100. During 1880-81 this structure was moved, piece-by-piece, to its new location in Chippewa Lake. Eight years later the Ladies Aid Society provided enough money for the installation of a bell in the vacant steeple. The membership grew, and between 1893 and 1941, a total of 349 members were recorded.

The Methodists in the neighborhood of Chippewa Lake were organized into a church in March of 1905. Forty-three members were on the roll at that time. A year later, a church was constructed by a group of devout and determined men and women. They quickly developed into an active body engaged in both Christian and civic services.

In 1939 the Methodist Church was created out of a merger of three separate communities of faith – The Methodist Episcopal Church; The Methodist Episcopal Church, South; and The Methodist Protestant Church.

In 1946 The Evangelical Church and The Church of the United Brethren in Christ, two bodies of similar origins and doctrines, merged to form the Evangelical Untied Brethren Church, or the E.U.B.

After years of national negotiation, another merger brought about an even larger religious body. In 1968 The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church joined hands and formed the United Methodist Church. Both denominations had much in common.

The local merger of the two churches was accomplished on May 1, 1968. The result was the construction of a new church facility, Chippewa Church at the Lake United Methodist, at 7824 Lake Road. The local merger blends a century of rich traditions similar doctrines and Christian service into one body bonded by a common faith. The two bells that stand on the front lawn today are reminders of that bond. The larger bell is from the old E.U.B. Church, and the smaller bell from the original Methodist Church.

We consider ourselves member’s of God’s family, with a very diverse membership. Many can claim years of dedication to this church and community, and combined with the energy and vision of younger families, we are working to carry God’s will for our church into the 21^{st century. Together, with God’s help, we can all experience the fulfillment of this vision here at Chippewa Church at the Lake United Methodist.}