Lake Wylie Lutheran celebrates 35th year
Lake Wylie Lutheran Church will celebrate 35 years of ministry in Fort Mill Sunday with a special service led by the church’s first pastor, Walter Wist, followed by a reception.
The church met in many non-traditional locations before settling into their current spot at the corner of S.C. 160 and Gold Hill Road. The original 12 families worshiped at the National Armory, on a Lake Wylie boat deck and even at a bar.
“We met in a bar and somebody had to cover up some pictures,” said Mary Ann Thomas, one of the original members.
The Rev. Peter Weubbens of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church led the flock until Wist came in 1980. Wist led the congregation for sixteen years. The next pastor was Kenneth “Corky” Spitler, who served for nine years and most recently R.E. “Rammy” Lybrand, who retired after seven years.
The church expanded to 157 families in 2014. W.E. Duey is currently the intentional interim pastor while a committee searches for the congregation’s next leader.
“I think we’ve done a remarkable job, growing like we have,” Thomas said. “Particularly when you lose your minister, a lot of churches dwindle, and we haven’t. Our church has just flourished.”
The church offers traditional and contemporary services, as well as Sunday school classes for all ages, small group bible study groups, men’s and women’s groups and yearly mission trips to Guatemala. The church has also operated a preschool since 2000.
The church is one of the local hosts of the Community Café, a free lunch open to everyone, each Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Along with an expansion of programs, the church added a fellowship hall, kitchen and classrooms in 2001.
Church members have been planning the anniversary celebration for several months and invite the community to join them.
“We have a wonderful congregation that are enthusiastic Christians,” Thomas said. “Come and help celebrate.”
This story was originally published February 21, 2016 at 11:09 PM with the headline "Lake Wylie Lutheran celebrates 35th year."