Lakeside Christian Church began in 1961 because of the vision of the Area Christian Men's Fellowship. A survey revealed a need for a Christian church in the immediate area surrounding Lake Springfield. After much prayer and careful planning, a core group of Christians from area Christian Churches began meeting together. On April 1st, 1962, we offered our very first worship service to the community at the Hazel Dell School. We had 64 people in attendance.

In 1963, our congregation decided to purchase a permanent site for the Church. After securing the property at 65 Rita Road for $6,400, we began construction on a worship sanctuary. Our first service was held on November 21, 1965. Several years later, in 1971, our congregation added an educational wing to better accommodate our Bible school classes. As our membership continued to grow, it was obvious that the vision of the Area Christian Men's Fellowship was becoming a reality!

Although Rita Road had been home to our church for over thirty years, we found ourselves landlocked with no room for expansion. As we prayed about the future, we were blessed in 1996 with twelve acres of land at the intersection of 2nd Street and Toronto Road (our present location). Consequently, in April 1997, a stewardship campaign was conducted and our church membership stepped out in faith and began developing building plans.

The building at Rita Road was sold in September 1999 and our church family found temporary space at the vacated Charlie Sattler Auto Dealership on Stevenson Drive. We met together at the former Dealership from January 1, 2000, until our new building was completed on Toronto Road.

The first service in our Toronto Road facility was held on July 2nd, 2000. At that time our congregation swelled in attendance and membership. In the first year alone, over 20 people gave their lives to Jesus Christ. Presently, we are in the middle of a stewardship campaign to retire our mortgage and keep the five acres of land adjacent to our Toronto Road property. In the coming years, we will begin developing plans for a worship sanctuary.

But even more exciting, is how God continues to honor the vision of the Area Christian Men's Fellowship. In 2002, we embarked on a bold disciplemaking journey that is revolutionizing our ministry and greatly enhancing our influence on the greater Springfield area. Our mission is to grow life-giving Christians and to plant (and/ or cultivate) life-giving Churches.

Since relocating to Toronto Road, God has done immeasurably more than we had asked or imagined! We invite you to join us on an exciting journey into the future. Our history demonstrates God's continued blessing on the ministry of Lakeside Christian Church.