Our Story - The History of Lakeside Christian Church

(formerly Lakeside Church of Christ)

Jerry and Leonard Melville were one of several families attending the First Christian Church of El Cajon who felt the need to establish a congregation in Lakeside .

In February 1955, a Bible School was started in the home of Jerry and Leonard Melville with about 15 children attending. Soon families living in the Lakeside area began attending on Sundays and a Wednesday evening Bible Study was started in their home as well. Brother Clayton Root, of the Southern California Evangelistic Association, was contacted and he agreed to come down from Los Angeles and talk with all who were interested in starting a new congregation.

After meeting with the group, Mr. Root made arrangements to rent the Kiwanis Hall in Lakeside , and the first worship service of the Lakeside Church of Christ was held there on March 27, 1955 . He continued to commute from Los Angeles each week-end to preach to the congregation and to hold a three week evangelistic meeting.

On Pentecost Sunday, May 29, 1955 , the invitation for charter members was closed. Two families who were charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Murdock and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Smith. At the time of this writing, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Smith remain active in the congregation today.

Following his graduation from Northwest Christian College in Eugene , Oregon , and his ordination at his home church in Elmira , Oregon , Elmer Jenkins was called in July 1955 to be the first full-time minister. Under his leadership, the attendance increased until it was necessary to move to the larger War Memorial Building to hold services.

Work began on a permanent building on January 28, 1959 on property deeded to the church by Mr. and Mrs. Melville. Most of the work was done by the members, including walls of adobe blocks made from soil located on nearby property. Completion took just over a year, and on Easter Sunday in 1960, the first worship service was held in the new building.

The educational building was added in 1972. Again, the members of the congregation did most of the work under the leadership of Lionel Carpenter.

On January 26, 1994 Lakeside Church of Christ officially changed its name to Lakeside Christian Church to avoid confusion with another church in Lakeside also holding to the same name. Lakeside Christian Church is the name we still hold at present.

In 2001, work began to give the church and grounds a more modern appeal, so with the help of many members, the end result was both an external and internal makeover that ended with a rededication ceremony on March 24, 2002 . Some of the projects included in the renovations were a new roof on the sanctuary, covered walkway and sanctuary entry, sanctuary stucco, new sanctuary windows, baptistery refinishing, new parking additions, painting of all buildings, nursery remodel, new lawn and landscaping, new carpet, and much more. Many workdays were held and much of the work was done by our own members uniting together.

On October 26, 2003 , the worst fire to date in California ’s history – the Cedar Fire, ravaged many homes and lives in the east county and mountain communities. Its flames, just feet away, did reach the church property as well, but God’s mighty hand spared His house here as the winds shifted bringing relief.

On May 21, 2005 , Lakeside Christian Church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary as a congregation reflecting on the memories and growth of His Kingdom that began as a small group meeting in a living room, to the sanctuary built with hand made adobe bricks, and on to God’s plan for the future for His Bride, the church.

Our first minister, Elmer Jenkins served from 1955-1963, Don Merryman served from 1963-1967, Richard Temple served from 1967-1975, Dean Kinser served from 1975-1977, Gary Burklow served from 1978-1979, Marvin Carr served from 1979-2000, David Swanson served from 1999-2004, and Robby Spillman served from 2005-2006. At the time of this writing, the present minister is Marshall Masser who has ministered with the church since May 2006.

Our Youth Ministers have been John Kennett who joined the church in December 1986, Kevin Supalla as an “Intern” Youth Minister from 2001-2004, and Zack Magnuson from 2005-2006. At the time of this writing, we currently do not have a Youth Minister on staff.

This church history has been provided by former directories, historians, members, newsletters, scrapbooks, and various reports. May God continue to bless His church here at Lakeside Christian Church.