CHURCH HISTORY The church had belonged to the Methodist for many years, but had closed in early 1940's due to declining attendance and losing some of its young persons to World War II efforts. Windows were boarded up and even the weeds were allowed to grow.
Then in 1944-45, 2 ladies from a Decatur Methodist Church and members of Child Evangelism came out and conducted 2 weeks Daily Vacation Bible School.
In 1944-45 a men’s class from an independent church in Gibson City, Illinois and a few friends from the Arthur Mennonite Church decided to open churches in small towns that had no active services. They chose the closed church at Lake City to start. A group of men came down on Saturdays and repaired the building and cut the lawn and cleaned it up. Two or three men took turns and held services for a while, a Mr. Moore and Harold Oyer, who worked at Caterpillar in Morton, Illinois. He and his family came down every Sunday and Wednesday for about a year. The church was named Calvary Chapel.
The first Sunday evening service in 1945 only about 12 people beside Mr. Oyer’s family showed up. Namely: Miss Grace Wining; Miss Maude Wining; Mr. Wheedle; Mr. Butler Tudor (one of the Elders of the closed Methodist Church); Mrs Cora Sinclair and Katherine Baker. As the weeks went on more and more people came. The Harold Oyer family moved to Lovington, Illinois in June 1946 and many from the Arthur area started attending services.
Menno Planks’, Polly Schlabaugh and children, Shrock family and a Mr. Bontreger. Some of the young people were back home from their duties and they came back to the church with their young families. Mr. Bill Wagahoft took an active part on Sunday evenings until he was saved, then became fully involved in the church.
The congregation decided to invite two representatives from the Federation of Fundamental Churches to come and explain the purpose of the Federation and how we could make our church more useful in the community. As a result of their two weeks explanation and of setting up a constitution, was cause for a committee to meet and draw up a constitution. Four men and two women drew up a constitution. It was gone over clause by clause with the congregation as to regulation governing membership, etc. The congregation was fully aware of all its contents.
When it was put to a vote as to whether to accept it, the vote was unanimous. The congregation also voted to join the Federation at that time. Brother Harold Oyer was called to be a permanent Pastor. Three elders were chosen, Mr. Tudor, Mr. Wheedle and Mr. Wagahoft.
The church was renamed LAKE CITY BIBLE CHURCH.
A big renovation of the church building was started. The old “pot bellied” stove was removed and replaced with 2 new floor furnaces that were donated by Menno Plank and Mr. Boetreger. The women renovated the pews - carpet was laid on the altar and down the aisles. Thirty-five people brought their membership into the church the following summer when we held our first Baptism by Immersion, a requirement of the constitution for membership.
The Baptism services were held at the Decatur Boat Dock on Lake Shore Drive in Decatur, Illinois. Twenty people were baptized that day including the Oyer family and the Wagahoft family (William, Billy and Jimmy) (Mrs. Wagahoft had been baptized at 7 years old), Cora Sinclair. Many carloads of sightseers stopped and joined the singing as each one was baptized. As a result, a few families from surrounding towns started coming to church. Subsequent baptisms were held in the Christian Church in Lovington. The church continued to grow. The ladies had Bible study, quilting every 2 weeks at the Wagahoft home where 2 quilts were always in the frames hanging from the ceiling until 1959, when the congregation built a room onto the back of the church.
Two members, Esther Oyer Yoder and Lora Wagahoft conducted Good News Child Evangelism Classes for 39 weeks every year for 6 years (in their homes). On Sunday nights at 6:30 there were Youth Flannel Graph lessons and Songfest. Many adults and teenagers attended these meetings and stayed for the evening services. Wednesday nights were always Bible study and Prayer. Two week Vacation Bible School was held every year with usually 75-80 attendance.
Pastor Oyer had a heart attack in 1959 and upon doctor’s advice retired as pastor. He did take a job as Chaplain at the Flannagin Children's Home where he served until he died. He truly was a faithful shepherd of the Lake City flock.
Richard Van Nice was Pastor of the church from 1959 to 1961.
John Gregory was Pastor from 1961 - 1962.
Roy Witt was Pastor from 1962 - 1969.
The membership continued to grow and in the Fall of 1962, the Lord provided a way to purchase the Old Lake City School building for much needed Sunday School building and a parsonage.
The downstairs of the old Lake City School was used as soon as it was purchased. The upstairs was remodeled for the Pastors apartment. Pastor Witt’s family was the first to live there. The old Church Building was remodeled for a recreation hall after the new building was in use.
Duane Gregory was Pastor from 1969 - 1976.
Alvin Green was called to Pastor in October 1976 to 1982.
During this time the church started Faith Promise giving. Neighborhood Bible Time was held for the first time while Alvin Green was Pastor.
On April 2, 1977 Lake City Bible Church dedicated the New Church building that it is in now. There were 176 attendance on dedication.
The Youth Pastor’s parsonage was built in 1978. Robert Todd was called as a full-time Youth Pastor 9-2-1979.
The name of the church was changed to Prairie View Baptist Church in 1979. The new name was suggested by Patty Bailey.
Terry Bailey was Youth Pastor from 9-20-1981 to 3-20-1986.
Ken Fraley was Pastor from 1982 to 1987.
The building loan for the new church was paid off in 1985.
Johnny Ayers was Youth Pastor from 4-2-1986 to 1987.
Bus garage was built in Fall of 1986.
April 1, 1987 church split with 63 members leaving and starting United Baptist Church in Long Creek.
Tom Williams was called to Pastor church 6-28-87 to 1992.
Glenn Graham called to be Youth Pastor 5-29-88 to 4-20-90.
Terry Bailey called to Pastor on August 26, 1992.
Mission room completed in basement of Parsonage in summer of 1995.
Parker Reardon was Youth Pastor from 3-26- 1995 to 3-31-1996.
Brian Stewart called to Youth Pastor 5-1-1997.
The 6.2 acres of land adjacent to church property was purchased in fall of 1997 and grass sowed in spring of 1998.
Parking lot was blacktopped in October, 1998.