How it started…

With a burden to bring an United Missionary Church (as it was known in those days) to the Mendon Community, the District Extension Committee, under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Kimbel, set out to find an adequate building for a new church in Mendon. The owners of the first couple buildings the group looked at refused to sell to the United Missionary Church, but the Extension Committee eventually settled on an old schoolhouse and former blacksmith shop in the heart of town. The group proceeded to purchase and renovate the building for only $2500. (Today that building serves as the UAW Hall.) Dedication service was held October 15, 1950, and although the building could seat 60- 70 people on slat-type benches, the congregation quickly outgrew the building and began looking at other options. 

As is still the case, one of the biggest problems facing small rural congregations was that of very limited finances. Rev. Kimbel, District Superintendent and an architect, was well aware that there were rarely enough funds available to congregations to build both a new church building and build a parsonage adequate for the needs of a pastor and his family. The solution was to design a new kind of building, said to be the first of its kind in the Midwest, which would be a combination church and parsonage apartment in one! Pastors and laymen from across the district responded to the call to help build the new building on two acres of land donated to the church. Ground-breaking for the 74’ x 30’ structure was held on August 17, 1955, and it was ready for occupancy on December 29th! The first Sunday service was held there on January 15, 1956. A newspaper clipping from the day, speaking of Rev. Kimbel’s revolutionary design, said, “He gained his inspiration after praying for guidance in laying out a structure suitable for young churches and small communities, so that no large debt remains hanging over them. The Mendon structure cost $20,000.” The congregation was able to raise an initial $1000, with $9000 donated by individuals from across the district, even though no appeal was ever made to help with the expense. 

The Sturgis Journal provided a description of the building to it’s readers: “The full basement housed six small Sunday School classrooms, a study, and a recreation room almost as large as the sanctuary above. There is also a men’s room here. The grounds are sloped in such a way that the basement and first floors are on split levels. The basement may be entered at ground level at the rear and the sanctuary at ground level at the front of the building. The plans for the near future are to construct a separate church on the grounds, and convert the present edifice into a spacious parsonage. The present sanctuary will become a large living dining room, three sleeping rooms and a study. The present kitchen is permanent, and the living room will be a dinette. the present bedrooms will be converted into a garage.” The plans also called for the eventual construction of a park and recreational area on the grounds. The dedication service was attended by 250 people. The new sanctuary could only hold 170, so overflow was established on the lower level with the help of a loudspeaker.

Then God provided a unique opportunity. One of the most notable structures in Mendon– located directly on M60- has been The Wakeman House. Built in 1873 by Adams Wakeman, it was the showplace of its day. With its spiral staircase, a small veranda overlooking the main street of town, beautiful rooms, a porch, and it’s own livery stable, it was a place of awe. The hotel became famous among traveling salesmen, serving excellent food at a reasonable price. Several prominent local residents owned the building following the Wakemans, conducting a variety of businesses there– often retaining some form of “The Wakeman House” in its name. Eventually, the building was donated to Grace College of Winona Lake, Indiana to be used as a retreat center.

In 1969 the church purchased the building from Grace College for $12,000 and renamed it Wakeman Chapel Missionary Church. The building needed considerable repair and extensive remodeling to become a church. An architect and interior designer were hired to direct the project in order to assure structural safety and to preserve the Early American atmosphere. Thousands of man-hours were donated by members of the congregation and other men from the district. Saturday, March 28, 1970 saw a number of people working until midnight to finish the Wakeman Chapel for its first service, set for Easter morning, March 29. In spite of the fact that several inches of heavy, wet snow prevented some of the country people from attending, the morning attendance was counted at 154.

The Wakeman Chapel served the congregation well for many years, but the church sold the building in 1982 and began meeting, for a time, at the elementary school. At the start of 1985 it was decided that the congregation once again needed a building of its own. A couple of different sites were considered, with the congregation opting for an 11- acre tract of land near the corner of M60 and Silver Street. Property was purchased, plans were approved, financing was secured, and the church was built– all in only 10 months! The first service of the new Crossroads Missionary Church was held November 24, 1985. A few years later the facilities were expanded and remodeled to accommodate the growing congregation– with an enlarged sanctuary which could seat over 300. In 2009 the facilities were expanded and remodeled, again, adding a gymnasium, a new kitchen, a set of offices, and restrooms, while allowing for the creation of a spacious and welcoming foyer and more classrooms. In 2012 the church was given the opportunity to purchase an adjacent 1 acre parcel of land extending to the corner of M60 and Silver Street, bordering the existing parking lot. This is now available for overflow parking for special events and to accommodate future growth.

From the beginning of the church until this present time, obedience to the Lord’s command to make disciples, coupled with love for the lost around us, have motivated this congregation to faithfully share the love of Christ and the truth of His Gospel. God has blessed this congregation and has allowed it to introduce many people to Jesus, and to make many disciples who are daily serving Him.

To learn more about the History of the Missionary Church Denomination Click Here