By:LAURA LANE
Experiencing an 80th birthday is always a cause for celebration, a time to reflect, and a reason to give thanks. In the case of The People's Church of Long Beach, located at 111 Delaware Avenue, it is also an opportunity to further spread the word of God, something that they have dedicated themselves to doing nearly as long as Long Beach has been in existence.
The People's Church will be having an anniversary luncheon on Sunday, September 2, to celebrate their 80th birthday. It will be open to anyone who might want to experience the commitment of the members of The People's Church firsthand.
We consider this as a remembrance of past members of the church and an opportunity to spread the word that we are here and helping the community in many ways, organizer and member, Helen Reider said.
The People's Church, an interdenominational Protestant church, welcomes people of all faiths. Priding itself on the unity of the members regardless of differences in their religious backgrounds, Methodists, Catholics, Pentecostals, Baptists, Episcopalians and Lutherans (to name a few), attend the weekly mass and help in the operation of the church.
We have no higher authority other than God, Bell Choir Director, Lillian Patton said. We are authorized by the state, and have an elected board of nine members that make decisions.
The People's Church of Long Beach is also blessed with a colorful history dating back to the 1920's.
"The original idea was to start a summer church, Patton explained. In the 1920's there wasn't a Protestant Church in the area.
Before becoming the People's Church, the members were referred to as the Religious Society of Long Beach meeting in eachother's homes laying the groundwork for the building of the church. Their dream came to fruition in 1921, when the State of New York issued the Charter of Religious Corporation, officially creating The People's Church. In the early 1920's as Long Beach experienced such forms of modernization as the beginning of a trolley line, The Peoples Church laid it's cornerstone on Delaware Avenue by the bay, making it the second house of worship (St. Mary of the Isle R.C. Church being the first). The first service was held in the church on January 14, 1923.
At the time, members did not have enough money to complete the inside of their new building, so the men built the original benches, themselves, saving some 75 cents per bench.
"We've come a long way," noted Madge Heron, President of the Board of Trustees.
They have, but their spirit of service has never changed, both towards their church and towards people in need anywhere in the world. Members, Heron said, are quick to organize and help whenever a disaster strikes. Often times, the church makes direct contact with a church or organization within that country and can send donations and supplies directly to the people in need, avoiding any middle men.
That spirit of service carries over to anytime the church is in need, Heron said. Whenever they lose a member who played a particulare role, she said, it seems someone else always comes along to fill that void.
Reverend Juanita Hilsenbeck will lead the September 2 Birthday Celebration with a celebratory service beginning at 10 a.m. There will be readings from Scripture, soloists on hand to perform secular music, and a performance by the church's Bell Choir, a group of children and adults that has performed outside the church at weddings and interfaith services. The members will use 3 to 4 bells at a time to play different notes similar to the keys on a piano.
After the service, the celebration will continue at a luncheon at the Temple Avodah in Oceanside, at 3050 Oceanside Road. The Sunshine Singers, a group who entertain area nursing homes, will be on hand, as will a DJ, Vincent McManus from ELM Productions. Roberta Fiore, President of the Board of Trustees for The Long Beach Historical Society, will be on hand to discuss the history of The People's Church building.
Much of the stained glass in the church dates back to theearly 20's and is museum quality glass, some done in the Tiffany studios. William H. Reynolds, the first Mayor of the city of Long Beach donated one of the larger stained glass windows, depicting Jesus with sheep. The stained glass was a part of the Historical Society's Stained Glass Tour in June, Heron said.
The congregants feel very committed to their church, members said.
Our church is an intimate Christian church that helps our community by providing baskets of food for the needy at Thanksgiving and Christmas time, Reider said.
There are many committees that take care of the community's needs, like the thrift shop and pantry committees and the church takes care of its youth as well.
We provide college scholarships for our kids that are in good standing and have fundraisers to get the money together. Reider said.
This is our 80th year serving God and the Long Beach community, Heron said. Our members volunteer strictly for their spiritual enrichment. As the Bible says, Whatever you do for the least of these you do for me.
For further information regarding the 80th Anniversary Celebration, call Helen Reider at 432-8575.
