History of Creekside Church and the former Elkhart City COB

1935 - 1950

George W. Phillips was called to serve as full-time pastor in September 1935. A choir loft and stairway to the pulpit from the basement were built in 1936.

In 1941, following a long, hard struggle during the Depression, the parsonage mortgage was burned and a fund was started for a new church building ($45,000 by 1950).

On October 3, 1943, the church celebrated its 50th anniversary. With a membership of 600, average church attendance of 267, and Sunday School attendance of 300, Elkhart City was one of the largest congregations in the Northern Indiana District.

A highlight of 1949 was "the inauguration and pursuing of the construction of the new church. The ground breaking service was held on July 15 and the Cornerstone Laying Ceremony on October 2," as reported in the 1949 Pastor's Report.