Woodland Chapel History

2009
MISSION OF LAMPSTAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
To Know Jesus as Savior and Lord and to make Him know

HISTORY OF WOODLAND CHAPEL
Written by Emily Abbott

The Woodland Chapel story began in the decade after World War II.  At that time, Decatur’s rapid growth to the south and east of Lake Decatur convinced the Decatur Council of Churches that there was a need for suburban churches.  Following a Council suggestion, Presbytery of Springfield surveyed the area and subsequently purchased “Shady Acres,” a ten-acre site at 2710 Lost Bridge Road.  Later that year, on Monday, November 28, 1955, area Presbyterians met at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Carl Birk, 10 Oak Ridge Drive, to make initial plans and set a date for the beginning of a new church, tentatively called the Community Presbyterian Church.

On February 26, 1956, the new church held its first service in the Sportsman’s Club at the edge of Big Creek Park.  Fittingly, Dr. Ralph Cummins of General Presbytery, and early advocate for the church, conducted the first service.  Thirty adults and eighteen children were in attendance.  By early March a steering committee had been formed to handle church affairs, and on March 20, 1956, the Rev. David McConaughy conducted his first regular worship service for the new church, to be known, thereafter, as Woodland Chapel.  The official service of organization was held in the newly completed E. J. Muffley School on October 7, 1956.  There were 86 charter members.  Dr. Daniel Gage served as Acting Moderator and participating clergy included national church officials.

With Muffley School as the new church home, election of officers for Woodland Chapel took place on October 21, 1956.  On November 28 a formal call was made to the Rev. David McConaughy to become its first pastor.  In the Summer of 1958, Session was authorized to proceed with building plans as well as a Building Fund Campaign, which Jim Rupp was appointed chair.  On Sunday, May 10, 1959, ground was broken for Woodland Chapel.  Less than thirteen months later, on June 6, 1960, the congregation, consisting of 225 members, moved into its new home.  In the years to come immediately following, efforts were focused on building and grounds projects, such as pews for the sanctuary, a new manse, Christian Education space and suitable parking.

In October 1968, the Woodland Chapel congregation approved a merger with North Fork Presbyterian Church, whose building is now part of the Macon County Historical Society complex.  (The stained glass in the Pastor’s office and the Tower Bell, located in the circle in front of the church entrance, are from the North Fork Church building.)  The North Fork merger, together with Woodland Chapel’s growing membership required additional space for church school classes.  The North Fork Christian Education wing was completed the following year.

In December of 1968, Rev. McConaughy announced his intent to leave Woodland Chapel in February.  Rev. A.C. Van Puffelen, Minister of Evangelism, continued his work until his resignation in September, 1970.  On August 24, 1969, the congregation called Reverend John F. Hollingsworth as pastor.  He served until February, 1975.  Following Rev. Hollingsworth, Rev. Charles Banning served as interim pastor until Rev. Dr. Robert Ross was called in October, 1975.  Dr. Ross was pastor at Woodland Chapel until September, 1983.

During the years between 1969 and 1983, Woodland Chapel completed a number of projects.  The Fellowship Hall was remodeled, a garage was built at the manse and extensive landscaping, including erection of the bell tower were completed.  On November 12, 1978 a rededication service celebrated the completion of a thirty-foot expansion of the sanctuary, doubling its original size and increasing the seating capacity to 266.  In October, 1981, Woodland Chapel celebrated its first quarter century with building and grounds looking much as they do today.

Following the resignation of Dr. Ross, Rev. Charles Banning returned as interim pastor.  In September, 1984, Rev. Dr. Douglas R. Ganyo came to Woodland Chapel and served until October 1992.  During Dr. Ganyo’s pastorate, a successful capital fund drive enabled the church to make significant improvements to existing buildings and to add the picnic pavilion, which is now called the conference center.  After Dr. Ganyo’s resignation, Rev. Harris Shultz became interim pastor and served until Rev. Dr. Richard T. Smith was called.  Dr. Smith began his official duties January 3, 1994.

On a beautiful fall weekend, October 6 and 7, 1996, Woodland Chapel celebrated its first forty years with a picnic on Saturday evening and 9:30 a.m. church service and a reunion dinner at the church on Sunday.  An overflow crowd included former pastors and past and present church members.  During a time of reminiscence following the Sunday dinner, Larry Grabb presented, for display in the narthex, the shovel that was used in the Woodland Chapel Ground Breaking Ceremony, thirty-seven years before.

In the late fall after the 40th year reunion, Rev. Dr. Smith announced his resignation effective December 31, 1996.  The following March, Rev. W. Willis Longer began serving as interim pastor, a position he held until his resignation in March, 1998.  Rev. Dale Tutje served as interim pastor during May and part of June.  Other Sundays during this period, services were conducted by various church members and ministers from Pulpit supply.  This was Woodland Chapel’s longest time without a regular pastor.  Then, on March 29, 1998, Rev. Jack Pitzer and his wife, Berta, met with Session members to give information about the “Great Banquet, “ and explain its vital importance to their ministry.  Session members approved support of Rev. Pitzer, and on June 7, 1998, he gave the morning message and was called to serve as Woodland Chapel pastor.

In the weeks that followed his coming to Woodland, Rev. Pitzer taught church members about “paradigms,” held a Saturday church-wide retreat on “The Church of Dreams,” and conducted detailed Bible studies.  Session, reflecting the new pastor’s leadership, initiated the “Faith Promise” concept instead of the traditional fall stewardship campaign.  The Woodland Chapel Mission Statement was amended to read: “To Know Jesus as Savior and Lord and to Make Him Known.”  A new sign closer to Lost Bridge Road helped give the church visibility.  In December, 1998, Rev. Pitzer recommended that Woodland Chapel become the sponsoring body for the Decatur area Great Banquet.  Session agreed, and by February, 1999, preliminary plans were being made for major projects needed in order to host weekend retreats.  The first Men’s Great Banquet was held May 13-16, 1999 and the Women’s followed on June 3-6, 1999.  This fall, the church will host Great Banquets #58 - #60. 

The future looks bright as Woodland Chapel prepares for the Jubilee Celebration.  An improved sound system for the sanctuary and a newly installed elevator should be completed in time for use.  Church membership is steadily increasing and attendance at the contemporary service is growing rapidly.  There are about 40 visitors at church each Sunday.  As testimony to this being a teaching church, Wednesday evening Bible study in the Fellowship Hall usually has wall-to-wall attendance.

Woodland Chapel continues to be true to the mission emphasis that began with its formation.  The church’s immediate challenge is to devise an orderly way to plan for growth.  The recently-formed Vision Committee is studying options for accommodating the growth which we hope will continue into the future.

WOODLAND CHAPEL CHARTER MEMBERS

Not only was 2007 a 50-year Jubilee Celebration for Woodland Chapel, it marked the year in which a serious plan for growth and expansion was started.  The Vision Committee explored several options for expansion and recommended to the Session that the Glad Tidings Church property at 655 S. Airport Road be purchased for the new church home.  The two buildings on the property would accommodate growth of the congregation, as well as, be an excellent setting for Great Banquet weekends.

An Expansion Task Force was formed to determine all that needed to be done to make the buildings ready for us to move in and be functional.  December 30, 2008, the Woodland Chapel congregation took ownership of the Glad Tidings Church property.  The moving Task Force immediately took charge.  The first worship service was held there January 4, 2009.  For the next several month, painters, electricians, plumbers and construction workers were there working faithfully.  Major renovation was done to restore the sanctuary in the education building.  It was ready!  Woodland Chapel, in its new home, we ready for the 2009 spring Great Banquets, held in March and April.

Along with the move to a different location, came the question, “Who are we? What is our identity as a church?”  We no longer are located in the woods and are no longer a chapel (small church).  Is God calling our congregation to a new position in the community?  As a congregation it was agreed that we would like to grow in to a lampstand church.  On September 27, 2009, the congregation voted on and passed a recommendation of the session that the name of Woodland Chapel be changed to Lampstand Presbyterian Church and the sanctuary in the education building be named Woodland Chapel.