THE KANSAS CITY STAR, SATURDAY APRIL 26, 1952

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 o’clock and a vesper service a 3 o’clock. 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.

Kent Memorials Beginning

Pastors who have served this congregation under regular call are:

Fifty Years of History for
Kent Memorial Lutheran Church
(As printed in the April 28, 2002 Sunday Bulletin)
 

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 1980’s. 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 Men’s 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”

Highlights of Kent Memorial’s History
(As printed in the April 28, 2002 Sunday Bulletin)
 

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 10^th 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 Savior’s Lutheran Church in Camdenton was built.
1965                Adopted a new constitution.
1966                Pastor Raymond Johnson observed his 25^th 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 20^th 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 50^th 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