Kingsville church celebrates 50 years

Fifty years ago (July 31, 1955), a congregation met to form a worshiping community. It was called the New Methodist Church of Kingsville. During evening worship service, the congregation voted to be called Christ Methodist Church, Kingsville.
The congregation and friends celebrated the church’s 50th anniversary with worship July 31.
Troy Thennis, lay leader, produced a historical video entitled “Half Century of Christian Fellowship.” Included were pictures of the groundbreaking at the site on Angle Road (now 1120 Carlos Truan Blvd.), charter members, children’s choir and fellowship events.
The worship team presented a contemporary song, “Power of His Love,” with tambourine and sign language. During altar prayer time, Cassandra Thennis sang “Amazing Love.”
With the help of the UM Men, a picnic followed on the front lawn. Several letters of greeting were read from past ministers. A moonwalk and children’s petting zoo were an invitation to the surrounding neighborhood. There were 18 visitors.
A highlight of the event was the congregation coming together the day before and preparing the grounds and doing general cleanup, especially David Van Fleet, the contractor who built the sanctuary, who, at 80-plus years old, is a church member.