kent Memorial History
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THE KANSAS CITY STAR, SATURDAY APRIL 26, 1952 |
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Chapel on Site of a Tragedy In the Hurricane Deck region of the Lake of the Ozarks, this attractive native stone worship place has been erected on the same land where stood the new home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Zimmerman before it was destroyed by fire February 10, 1949, on the first night it was occupied by the family. Kent Zimmerman a 12 year old son, died in the fire. The new church is named in his memory, and will be dedicated tomorrow, April 27th, 1952 with formal dedication at 10:30 oclock and a vesper service a 3 oclock. The church is twenty four miles south of Versailles Mo. on state highway No. 5. The land for the church was donated by the Zimmermans, and community members helped in construction and in fulfilling more than $4,000 in pledges and labor. |
As the construction progressed, the church attracted nation-wide attention. Architecture fits the woodland setting. Inside the stone walls, the interior is finished in native pine, cedar pews, and large windows with a sweeping view of the Lake of the Ozarks are features. The Rev. Clarence J. Hansen, mission developer, and now the church pastor, will direct services tomorrow. The principal speaker will be Dr. R. H. Gerberding, N.Y., executive secretary of missions board of the United Lutheran church. Officials of the synod of Kansas and adjacent states of the denomination also will participate. The vesper service will include choral music by the a capella choir of Missouri Valley college, Marshall, Mo., and the Gamboliers, Kansas City male quartet. The dedication day will conclude with a reception and social hour. |
Kent Memorial as originally constructed in 1951
Kent Memorial - Shows Fellowship hall addition
completed in 1980
Photo taken Spring 2002
Kent's Parsonage, located
next door to the Sanctuary
Photo Taken April 2002
Kent Memorial former Sanctuary replaced in
2005
Photo taken April 28, 2002
Kent Memorial as seen from the air! Prior to
2005 remodeling
Parsonage on left, Sanctuary in
center, Fellowship hall on right
Date
of photo unknown
Kent Memorial today, showing
2005 building expansion.
[April 2005 photos]
[Red arrow points to the original 1951 structure intact as part of the
current facility.]
Click here for more photos of building
project completed in 2005
Kent Memorials Beginning |
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The congregation began in 1951 as a mission church of the Kansas Synod of The United Lutheran Church. Today it is a congregation of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. |
Pastors who have served this congregation under regular call are: |
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| Clarence J. Hansen Raymond E Johnson Herbert N. Johnson, Jr. J. Glen Sandquist Richard D. Dunning James J. Trutwin Eugene A. Moll David R. Beese |
November 1, 1951 December 1, 1953 March 1, 1967 April 15, 1974 November 15, 1981 January 1, 1985 May 1, 2001 February 18, 2007 |
to June 30, 1953 to November 15, 1966 to September 23, 1973 to July 6, 1981 to July 1, 1984 to May 31, 2000 to June 30, 2006 |
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Fifty Years of History for |
| On February 10, 1949, Harry and Dorothy Zimmerman along with their children,
Carl, Kent, and Gilbert, were occupying for the first time their new home in
the Hurricane Deck area of the Lake of the Ozarks. During the night, a
tragic fire completely destroyed the home. In this catastrophe,
twelve-year-old Kent lost his life and Mr. Zimmerman suffered severe burns.
About this same time, an increasing number of permanent residents of the area saw the need for a House of Worship for themselves and the thousands of vacationers who came to this region each year. In 1950, The Synod of Kansas and Adjacent States of the United Lutheran Church in America showed an interest in this project and committed a gift of $3,500. People in the community committed an additional amount of $4,000 in pledges and labor. A site for the church was needed. The Zimmerman family gave an initial three acres which included the place where their home had burned. It was decided to name this church in memory of Kent Zimmerman, and as a place to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ who brought life and immortality to light. Truly a church has risen out of the ashes to the glory of God! Ground was broken for the new church in December, 1950. On April 22, 1951, the cornerstone was laid. Earlier, on Easter, March 25, 1951, the first service of public worship was held in the Oak Hill School. Pastor John Shirck, Cole Camp, assisted at this time. Pastor Clarence Hansen arrived in November to be the Mission Developer for Kent Memorial. The date for organization was December 16, 1951, with 59 adults and a total baptized membership of 78 signing the charter. The church building was dedicated on April 26, 1952. It was built of native stone, pine, cedar, and native oak. It stands like a lovely jewel in an incomparable setting. When it was finished, a total indebtedness of $10,000 was all that remained. Throughout the years, the congregation was blessed and grew in number. This called for some changes. In 1980, the Fellowship Hall was added and the worship area was enlarged. Later remodeling of the worship area was completed during the 1980s. Along the way, stained glass windows were added and new windows installed facing the lake. In 1993, the Ireland Memorial Outdoor Chapel was added, which houses the early service during the summer months. It faces the lake in a most inspiring setting with a tree being used to form the cross. This area has already been enlarged. The most recent addition was the enlarging of the kitchen, completed in 2000. We Lutherans have to eat! A 1/8th mile paved walking trail has also been added. During these years, a lot of activities have happened at Kent Memorial. Music has remained a large part of the worship life. Vocal and Handbell choirs have sounded forth. The women have remained active, now through their WELCA organization. A Mens Breakfast and Bible Study continues to meet. The youth remain active with the older ones calling their group the CIA Christ Is Alive. Social Ministry work continues to be done. We should note that our parent church body, the United Lutheran Church in America, became the Lutheran Church In America through a merger in 1962. It became the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through another merger in 1988. As a part of the ELCA, we are in the Central States Synod, which includes about 220 congregations in Missouri and Kansas. The history of Kent Memorial Lutheran Church continues to be written. We trust that we will remain faithful to our mission and calling, which is: To Share Jesus With All |
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Highlights of Kent Memorials History 1949 Kent Zimmerman died in a home fire trying to save his little brother. 1950 Ground was broken in December for Kent Memorial. 1951 First service held on Easter, March 25, at the Oak Hill School. Laying of Cornerstone on April 22. 1951 Pastor Clarence Hansen arrives in November as Mission Developer. Basement now used for services. 1951 Service of Organization held on December 16. 1952 Kent Memorial was dedicated on April 27. 1952 Women of the Church became organized. 1953 Pastor Clarence Hansen leaves in June Pastor Raymond Johnson came in December and served 13 years. The parsonage was finished. 1961 Celebrated our 10th Anniversary. A mission church in Camdenton was started. 1962 Debt on the church was liquidated. Lutheran Church in America was formed. We became a part of the Central States Synod. Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Camdenton was built. 1965 Adopted a new constitution. 1966 Pastor Raymond Johnson observed his 25th Anniversary in Christian ministry and resigned as pastor of Kent Memorial, leaving in November. 1967 Pastor Herb Johnson arrived in March and began his ministry at Kent. 1968 Community Easter Pageant begins at Kent. 1969 An addition was added to the parsonage. 1971 Celebrated our 20th Anniversary. Additional land purchased from the Zimmermans. 1972 Additional land between Old Highway 5 and the present Highway 5 was purchased from the Missouri Department of Transportation. 1973 Pastor Herb Johnson leaves in September. 1974 Pastor J. Glen Sandquist began his ministry at Kent in April. 1979 Groundbreaking ceremony for new addition. They called it a multipurpose room. We call it the Fellowship Hall. 1980 New Fellowship Hall addition was completed and dedicated. 1981 Pastor J. Glen Sandquist leaves in July; Pastor Richard Dunning begins his ministry at Kent in November. 1984 Pastor Richard Dunning leaves Kent in July. 1985 Pastor Jim Trutwin was installed as pastor of Kent in January. 1986 Communion rail was approved. 1987 The Sinking of the Church Mortgage was done in the Lake. Renovation of the sanctuary was approved. 1988 Completed renovation, new paint, carpeting, etc. 1989 New Organ purchased and a platform built for it. 1990 New siding was put on the parsonage. A new roof on the parsonage and Fellowship Hall by the Kent men. Stained glass windows project was approved. 1993 The Ireland Outdoor Chapel was built. 1994 Renovation of the basement area was completed. 1995 Garagnani Memorial Garden was dedicated. 1999 Engelstad Walking Trail was dedicated in memory of Orlyn Engelstad. New playground built by the family of Steve and Linda Latham and dedicated in memory of their son, Nathan Kraviec. The kitchen was remodeled and expanded, including new appliances, lots of new cabinets, a new landing and steps outside, and a large opening into the Fellowship Hall to facilitate the serving of our famous potluck meals. 2000 Pastor Jim Trutwin and family leave to accept another call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Golden, Illinois. 2001 Pastor Eugene Moll begins as pastor of Kent in May. 2001 A Building Committee is named for Kent. 2001 2002 We celebrate our 50th Anniversary with monthly emphases and with retiring Bishop Charles Maahs beginning the celebrations and new Bishop Gerald Mahsholt completing the celebrations. Mar. 7, 2004 Ground breaking on major building expansion. Apr. 24, 2005 New Sanctuary, fellowship hall & classroom space dedicated. June 30, 2006 Pastor Eugene Moll retires 2007 Pastor David R. Beese installed. Feb. 18, 2007 2008 Gene and Carol Gerschefske Columbarium dedicated June 17, 2008 Improvements made in the outdoor worship area seating. Additional seating was placed as well as replacing current seating with benches with backs. 2009 Columbarium area was landscaped. Gerschefske family endows Kent with money for new stained glass windows. Artwork and bids were submitted and Sandy Johnson of Glass with a Mission (Art Attack) was granted the job. 12/24/2009 Stained glass windows were installed in the sanctuary by artist Sandy Johnson-Burnett and her husband, Les.
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