`East Side plans 50th celebration`

East Side Church (Baptist-Disciples of Christ), 201 Spruce Ave., will celebrate its 50th anniversary June 12 and 13.

The church was chartered June 5, 1949, by combining members of East Side Baptist Church and about 150 members of Central Christian Church, located on the corner of Pitt Street and Vine Ave-nue in Sharon.

The Rev. E.C. Rowand Jr. was Central Christian’s pastor at the time and agreed to serve as the combined church’s first minister.

Others who have served as ministers were the Revs. Roland Weisser, Donald Basham, Kenneth Hand, Michael Isbell, Gordon Wilson, Albert Rodenhausen and John Lyons.

The Rev. Richard Henderson, a retired Methodist minister, is serving as interim pastor while the congregation seeks a new minister.

Sunday services were conducted in the old East Side Baptist building. In September 1956, ground was broken for a new building at the church’s present site. Ground was broken in 1968 for an edu-cational wing. In 1994, additional parking space was added.

A catered dinner, financed by an offering, will be held June 12 (reservations due June 5). Lesley McAdams will provide entertainment. East Side’s history will be displayed in photographs and news-paper articles, and a time to share memories will be held.

The Revs. Donald Girdwood, American Baptist; and W. Darwin Collins, Disciples of Christ, will speak during Sunday morning service June 13. Janet Beattie, former choir director, will provide music.

Esther Gaines, Doris Lucas, Brenda Nasser, Joseph Gilbert, Marge Pritchard, Darlene Cary and Marion Prescott comprise the anniversary committee, chaired by Mildred Hoagland.

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Updated May 21, 9999
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