Church open house well attended in Little Meadows

At their open house Sunday in Little Meadows, members of The Community Independent Bible Church pose for a photo. Adults in the front are, left to right, Deacon Alan Chase; Pastor Dale Anschuetz and wife, Linda; piano player and church treasurer Janice Young; Deacon Doug Young; and Elsie Lantz. TIMES-SHAMROCK PHOTO/ERIC HRIN

BY ERIC HRIN

Times-Shamrock Writer

There was something big in Little Meadows Sunday.

At The Community Independent Bible Church, it was a special day. There was a big reason to celebrate.

Recently, the Community Independent Bible Church, previously called the “Warren Center Independent Bible Church,” purchased a church in Little Meadows, which was formerly used by the congregation of St. Thomas the Apostle. For approximately a month’s time, members have had services there.

On Sunday, the church held a dedication and celebration service. Afterwards, an open house with refreshments was held from noon to 2 p.m.

Pastor Dale Anschuetz’ wife, Linda, said 150 attended the open house, and said she was very pleased with the turnout.

“The community is very, very encouraged and pleased with everything we’re doing and how family-oriented the church is,” she said.

The Rev. Dale Anschuetz stands by a stained-glass window in the Community Independent Bible Church, in Little Meadows. TIMES-SHAMROCK PHOTO/NANCY SHARER

“They love it because we now have a hall and a bigger church,” she said.

It’s going well for them.

“Every week we have new people from the area come,” Linda Anschuetz said. She noted they’ve grown from 17 people to a congregation of more than 100.

On Sunday, she said, the buildings were “dedicated to the Lord,” and they also had a dedication for memorial gifts they have received.

“We thank the Lord for His goodness.”

Dale Anschuetz said, “We accomplished what we wanted to do – we wanted to honor God, honor some of our brothers and sisters in Christ who went to be with the Lord before this time, and celebrate what God has done through us and with us.”