A History Of The Lakeshore Bible Church 0f God

Tempe, Arizona

In 1892 the Christian A. Saylor family came to Tempe, Arizona, from Morrill, Kansas. They, and others brought their faith with them, and were diligent in finding others that believed as they did. They joined together with the C. A. Corbell family and the Joe Miller family. In 1894 the Caleb Deming's and the Epperson Perry's came from Missouri, and located in the Tempe area and later in the Phoenix area. The Deming's and Perry's were Jesse Anderson's (of the Valley View Bible Church) father and grandfather. These families joined together and sent for Mr. John Foore, who conducted meetings in the old Jordan school house, which was located at the southwest corner of Baseline & Dobson roads, near the Saylor farm. Mr. Kimsey also held meetings prior to 1900. The ministers who served during the early years were as follows,

Mr. John Foore

Mr. Kimsey prior to 1900

W. L. Skeels 1900-1910

Clinton Wilson 1919-1917

0. J. Allard 1920-1921

J. W. Williams

Meetings were held in various homes of those in the area, also at the

Epperson Perry home on Mission Dr. In Phoenix .

During the years 1921-1928 special meetings were held by S.J. Lindsay on various visits from his work in California. He and Nellie Lindsay came here to live in 1928. After this time services were held in the Odd Fellows Hall at 6th street and Mill Avenue,

In 1937 Victor and Anna Corbell, Ray and Ione Saylor led the way for a church building to be constructed on the corner of University and Myrtle Ave., in Tempe, Arizona. Anna Corbell and Ione Saylor traveled to California to visit churches to find a prototype for their particular needs. Kemper Goodwin, a local architect drew the plans

for the Tempe church. After much planning and research, it became a reality in 1918. The congregation was known as “The Church of God of the Faith of Abraham,” headquarters in Oregon, Illinois. The building was dedicated in December 1938, with Bro. S.J. Lindsay as the pastor.

After S.J. Lindsay died in 1941, L.E. Conner preached a few months. Later Mr. Raymond conducted services. (both these men were Christian Advent). They held services until C. E. Lapp came in 1942.

As years passed, the congregation grew in number and in service. More buildings were added, along with many forward-looking programs. The most important of these was the decision to divide the congregation and establish a work in Phoenix. Years of prayer and planning took place before its actuality in September 1965. This is the Valley View Bible Church, located at 4222 E. Lincoln Dr., in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

0n February 9, 1969, the name of the Tempe church was changed to the “Bible Church of God,” a member congregation of the Church of God General Conference, Oregon, Illinois.

In 1973 came the decision to relocate since we were gradually being “nudged out’ by Arizona State University, zoning laws, lack of parking space, etc. Following the pattern set by their mothers, Marjorie McPherson and Mary Anne Todd visited churches all over the valley and made a slide presentation to set a guide for future plans.. A site at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Guadalupe road was selected on property which until that time belonged to the Corbells. In July of 1973 the church name was again changed and became the “Lakeshore Bible Church of God.” At the end of the year, the Salvation Army took possession of the old church building and beginning January 6, 1974 the members began meeting in the Marcos de Niza High School, located across the street from the new church site.

The first services in the new building were held in May,1975, and the formal dedication followed in November of that year.

Following is a list of the pastors who have served the church.

S.J. Lindsay 1928-1941

L.E. Conner 1941-1942

C.E. Lapp 1942-1947

Gerald L. Cooper 1947-1943

C.E. Randall 1943-1954

Vernis D. Wolfe 1954-1960

Walter Wiggins 1960-1961

Alva G. Huffer 1961-1969

Lee McQuinn 1969-1972

R. Warren Sorenson 1972-1979

Kent H. Ross 1979-1981

Alva G. Huffer 1981-1982

Joseph L. Myers 1982-1987

Lee Arp 1987-1991

lay pastors 1991-1992

Greg Demmitt 1992-present

“Literally dozens of other Church of God ministers have spoken here during these years, and hundreds of fellow-members have worshiped with us. Many have returned year after year, and some (including 3 or 4 of the pastors) have made it their home. We believe the spirituality of our people, as well as the standard friendliness of the West, has been a strong influence”---Gerald l. Cooper

This report has been made from interviews with the following:

Ray Saylor

Anna Corbell

Jesse Anderson

Almus Dimmick

(some excerpts from Gerald L. Cooper's report to General Conference)

Mary Anne Todd

An original copy of hi s history with pictures, articles and other interesting facts will be kept in the office on file.

Respectfully submitted,

Marjorie S McPherson