History

A HISTORY OF THE CHURCH AT Redland VALLEY

by Charlie Bonner

It all started in 1945 when God gave a few people a vision to begin a new work in a little, old country church (Moore’s) that had been closed for over thirty years. The work continued here for 22 years. The Gospel was faithfully given and the Lord brought many to a saving faith. Circumstances arose and the need to relocate and build was strongly voiced by the congregation. Step by step, the Lord led the way.

The Redland Valley seven-acre plot of ground was purchased in 1964 from Mr. & Mrs. Robert Strayer for $1500. Crops were planted and harvested from this plot, managed by our former Bible teacher and local farmer, who is now with the Lord he loved and served. The proceeds amounted to $725.92, or more than half the price of the lot.

As the time to build approached, the Church Board met with a local banker, who when hearing our financial need turned down our request for a loan, considering it a near impossibility. When he later saw the faith of 31 people of the congregation to sign three-year commitments totaling $34,000, he reconsidered and the bank loaned us the whole amount. This bank loan, with a smaller Brotherhood Fund Loan  plus nearly $20,000 we already had in our Building Fund, made up the funds needed. Together, we praised God, for in the spring of 1968, the first phase of the Redland Valley Church was completed, a 42’ by 110’ structure including six classrooms and a temporary “built-in” sanctuary with pews to seat 100 people plus added chair space when needed.

During this time plans were being made to construct a new road along the church lot, resulting a check from the PA Department of Highways for $9,000 to compensate for loss of ground. Four thousand dollars of this was used in 1971 to blacktop the driveway and parking lot and the balance was put on the mortgage.

In 1972, the need for a full-time pastor resulted, through congregational approval, in the building of a new parsonage at a total cost of $49,249. Three years later, Pastor Carl Ginder and his family came to join us.

In 1977, there was an immediate need of extra classrooms. We were able to purchase a used school building for $5,000. Many people of the congregation provided help in this project. In  the early fall of 1978, we were quite crowded, and through a good congregational support, which resulted in 77 three-year commitments totaling $100,000 we were able to build our new sanctuary plus much needed added space.

In January of 1994 ground was broken for an activity center. The building included a gym, a kitchen, and more classrooms. This added space became a tremendous asset in both the youth and adult programs.

Now, until Jesus comes for His own, let us pray that this Church at Redland Valley will continue to be a place where the Word of God is preached and taught, for we know that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Let us, too, continue to love and care for one another, for Jesus said, By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another (John 13:35). To possess this love we must constantly be taught by Him (I Thessalonians 4:9).

Pastors of Redland Valley Church

Moores Church

Ken Hoover	1945-46
Mark & Lucille Wolgemuth	1946-57
Ronald & Marjorie Lofthouse	1957-61

Redland Valley Church, 1967

Jay & Marion Sisco	1961-75
Carl & Eleanor Ginder	1975-84
Bob & Donna Sheetz	1984-85
Adin & Anell Herndon	1985-88
Bob & Mary Lou Hamway, Assoc. Pastor
Clyde & Marge Michener	1988-2000
Dale & Dianne Brantner, Youth Pastor
Dave & Kim Parsons, Youth Pastor
Tony & Dee Rohrer, Youth Pastor
Steve & Liz Lane	2001-present
Dale & Sue Lance, Youth Pastor