Sunrise Beach
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Kent Memorial Lutheran Church
History
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 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.
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 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.