<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2Apd8B_0uwyrTWH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2Apd8B_0uwyrTWH00" width="650" height="488" ><figcaption>The Frankfort United Methodist Church's current location was chosen in 1959 after the original church building burned.&nbsp; (Colin Merry/Record Patriot) </figcaption></figure> FRANKFORT — The community at <a href="https://feumchurch.org/index.php" rel="nofollow"> Frankfort United Methodist Church </a> is celebrating its 150th anniversary. A special anniversary church service and potluck dinner will be heldon Aug. 25 at the church following a special sermon by Bishop David Bard. "That's our big event for the year," said Judy&nbsp;VanMeter, administrative partner in ministry for the Frankfort and Elberta United Methodist churches. "There will be memorabilia from our first church on Leelanau Avenue that burned in 1958." VanMeter said there have been events all year to celebrate the milestone, including a euchre tournament, a movie at The Garden Theater, several potlucks and exhibits of church history. More events to celebrate the anniversary are planned for the rest of the year, including a bake and craft sale. Pastor Penny Parkin said she is proud of the congregation's culture of service. "Looking back over the history, one thing that stands out to me is the willingness to adapt to serve," Parkin said. "The people in the church adapt to change and the culture and the needs of the community, and we're looking forward to the next 150 years." The Frankfort United Methodist Church got its start with traveling preachers who visited Frankfort in the 1860s, according to "Frankfort United Methodist Church: Celebrating the Highlights of 140 Years," written by VanMeter and Florence Bixby. In 1868, three people, Mr. and Mrs.&nbsp;W.P. Derry and Sara Krouse, met to formally organize, and that meeting is considered the first official meeting of the Methodist church in Frankfort. As the congregation grew, a church building was erected on Leelanau Avenue near where the Frankfort Elementary School currently stands. In 1874, the building was officially declared by the Rev.&nbsp;Newland Steele to be the Frankfort Methodist Church. In the early 1900s, the church was renovated and a basement added, according to VanMeter and Bixby's book. The church congregation and building continued to grow through the 1950s. In 1958, a bolt of lighting struck the church chimney, and the entire building burned. Through fundraising and community support, the Frankfort United Methodist Church was able to begin building the current church sanctuary and gathering space on Lincoln Avenue (M-22) in 1959. Since then, the church congregation has been hosting services for both the congregation and other organizations in Benzie County. Larkin said events and programs such as preschools, exchange programs, Blessings in a Backpack, concerts by the <a href="https://www.recordpatriot.com/local-news/article/Benzie-County-Community-Chorus-A-Night-of-16267017.php" rel="nofollow"> Benzie County Community Chorus </a> and events like the <a href="https://www.recordpatriot.com/local-news/article/Very-Cherry-Smorgasbord-Dinner-supports-mission-14326426.php" rel="nofollow"> Very Cherry Smorgasbord </a> have been part of the church's identity. She said the church congregation also provided host families for Laotian refugees in the 1970s, some of whom&nbsp;became Frankfort residents. "They did a (national) advertising campaign for the United Methodist Church years ago that said 'open minds, open hearts, open doors,'" she said. "I think our congregation has taken that to heart. I'm so happy this church is celebrating 150 years of service and I know we have open hearts, open minds and open doors to welcome all with radical hospitality." </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Frankfort Methodist Church celebrates 150th anniversary

\"The people in the church adapt to change and the culture and the needs of the community.\"

"The people in the church adapt to change and the culture and the needs of the community."