Ocala West United Methodist Church
Share Jesus
Grow Disciples
Serve God
Grow Disciples
Serve God
Our History
A Rich History & A Brighter Future
Remembering Our Past Historical Journey of Ocala West United Methodist Church
The history of Ocala West UMC cannot be caught entirely on paper because our history, like the church is all about people. People started this church, not the Conference or the District, but people who saw a need and opportunities for a church in the area of SR 200, near County Road 484. That tradition continues today as a congregation of willing volunteers and dedicated staff shares Jesus, grows Disciples and reaches out to serve God by sharing their gifts of time, talent and treasure.
Without land or buildings, parsonage or pastor, New Church-Ocala West held the first service on Pentecost Sunday, June 7, 1987 at Bruce Funeral Home. The Steering Committee members were Chaplain Roy Bevan, Rev. David Brewer, Dr. J. Birney Gross, Martha Newell, Harold Pierce, Dr. Sweat, Rev. Bob Vanasek and Rev. Mark Whitiker. The service was led by Dr. J. Birney Gross, pastor of Druid Hills UMC and Dr. Marvin J. Sweat, D.S.
Dr. Gross served as pastor during those first months while continuing as the pastor of Druid Hills, and the congregation grew. Rev. Claude Stanfield, retired minister, was appointed pastor in October, 1987 until a full time pastor could be added. Ocala West UMC was Chartered March 13, 1988 in a service where ninety-nine Charter members and twenty affiliate Charter members joined. As the church grew, overflow crowds made it necessary to seek both a site and to build our own facility. The Leesburg District donated $30K for this. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held February 5, 1989. The office building and church/fellowship hall/Sunday School was completed for use July 15, 1989 with consecration August 27, 1989.
Even before the new facility was built the church began developing an identity beyond Sunday morning. The United Methodist Women were organized June 12, 1988 with Dorothy Ritter as the first president. The United Methodist Men began July 27, 1989 with Richard Howard presiding. Sunday School began with the Seeker's Class in Pine Run and expanded after moving into our own facility under the Rev. Bob Vanasek. The first delegate to the FL. conference in May 1988 was Jean Home.
In June 1991, Rev. Claude Stanfield prepared to retire. He advised the Charge Conference who voted to request a full time Conference minister and to buy a parsonage. In mid-June 1991, Rev. Donald P. Hanna, Sr. became the full time pastor arriving with his wife Joy and two young children. The congregation, numbering 300, began the next growth phase. A Long Range Planning Committee was organized to anticipate future needs. New Sunday School classes including children's were added. Children's Moments were added to the second service. The first VBS was held in 1993 and has grown yearly. Since 1993 our church has hosted soccer and basketball teams, Scouting groups, Girls Club and Children's church. The Youth program has also greatly developed. The youth reach out to serve others through annual mission trips supported by their energetic efforts.
The vision of growth led to organizing a second service in January 1992, due to overcrowding in many areas of church life. The church pursued a loan of 30K to purchase the 9.77 acres adjacent to our property. It fell through at the last minute. Finance Chairman, Loren Keefer stood on the Sunday after Easter, April 10, 1994 and advised the congregation who responded by immediately writing and tearing out checks. The church property now consists of 15 acres.
The Sanctuary was Consecrated on Pentecost Sunday, May 17, 1997 with Bishop Cornelius Henderson presiding. The Dedication marked the 10th Anniversary since the opening worship service. The congregation was less than 700 members when the decision was made to build a building that seated over 800. The growth that it saw during those initial ten years continues today with a church that has grown to over 1300 members and an average attendance of 777.
Music has been an important ministry from the beginning with a choir that began under the direction of Marilyn Morse who began the Chancel Choir and served the growing music program during the first four years. Other music directors have included George Fitzgerald and Billie Hengel who started the Chapel Choir and Community Choir Festival. Five organists have served the church including Louise Porringer, Winnie Rodick Fertig, Millie Walczuk, Jane Johnson and Gail Leinhos. Gail Leinhos began our Children's Choirs and Handbell Choirs and has served as the Director of Music since mid 1999.
George A. (Archie) Buie, III received his appointment to Ocala West at the 2002 FL. Annual Conference. His first Sunday as the pastor of the church was June 16, 2002. Archie's main thrust, assisted and supported by his wife, Carolyn, has been to offer more opportunities for spiritual growth, which have thus far included: Disciple I Bible Study, Reading-through-the Bible-in One Year Projects, two three-day Revivals, Lenten prayer study, and a Spiritual Gifts Workshop. In December 2003 our church was named a "Welcoming Congregation" by the national Igniting Ministry Office. Ocala West strives to reach children, youth and seniors in the community as it carries out its new Vision Statement. "Share Jesus, Grow Disciples, Serve God."
In the Spring of 2006 Pastor Archie announced his retirement and a search was on for a new Senior Pastor. In July of 2006 Rev. Dr Ken Kleckner was named the new Senior Pastor. In 2007 Bob Williams was named the new Music Director replacing Gail who retired to move north to be by her family. In 2009 the church was growing, and the need for an Assistant Pastor was announced. After some searching we reached "across the pond" and named Pastor Keith Hopper as the new Assistant Pastor along with his wife Gina. Unfortuantly this is only a temporary move as we will have to say good by to Keith in the Summer of 2011. In 2011 we named a new intern Senior Pastor Dr. David Brazelton and in the Summer of 2011 hope to see the arrival of our new Senior Pastor. In June of 2011 we said our goodbye's to Pastor Keith and Pastor Dave. In July of 2011 we greeted our new Senior Pastor, Pastor Alan Jefferson. We now embarq on a new path as we get closer to celebrating our 25th Anniversary in 2012.
Remembering Our Past Historical Journey of Ocala West United Methodist Church
The history of Ocala West UMC cannot be caught entirely on paper because our history, like the church is all about people. People started this church, not the Conference or the District, but people who saw a need and opportunities for a church in the area of SR 200, near County Road 484. That tradition continues today as a congregation of willing volunteers and dedicated staff shares Jesus, grows Disciples and reaches out to serve God by sharing their gifts of time, talent and treasure.
Without land or buildings, parsonage or pastor, New Church-Ocala West held the first service on Pentecost Sunday, June 7, 1987 at Bruce Funeral Home. The Steering Committee members were Chaplain Roy Bevan, Rev. David Brewer, Dr. J. Birney Gross, Martha Newell, Harold Pierce, Dr. Sweat, Rev. Bob Vanasek and Rev. Mark Whitiker. The service was led by Dr. J. Birney Gross, pastor of Druid Hills UMC and Dr. Marvin J. Sweat, D.S.
Dr. Gross served as pastor during those first months while continuing as the pastor of Druid Hills, and the congregation grew. Rev. Claude Stanfield, retired minister, was appointed pastor in October, 1987 until a full time pastor could be added. Ocala West UMC was Chartered March 13, 1988 in a service where ninety-nine Charter members and twenty affiliate Charter members joined. As the church grew, overflow crowds made it necessary to seek both a site and to build our own facility. The Leesburg District donated $30K for this. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held February 5, 1989. The office building and church/fellowship hall/Sunday School was completed for use July 15, 1989 with consecration August 27, 1989.
Even before the new facility was built the church began developing an identity beyond Sunday morning. The United Methodist Women were organized June 12, 1988 with Dorothy Ritter as the first president. The United Methodist Men began July 27, 1989 with Richard Howard presiding. Sunday School began with the Seeker's Class in Pine Run and expanded after moving into our own facility under the Rev. Bob Vanasek. The first delegate to the FL. conference in May 1988 was Jean Home.
In June 1991, Rev. Claude Stanfield prepared to retire. He advised the Charge Conference who voted to request a full time Conference minister and to buy a parsonage. In mid-June 1991, Rev. Donald P. Hanna, Sr. became the full time pastor arriving with his wife Joy and two young children. The congregation, numbering 300, began the next growth phase. A Long Range Planning Committee was organized to anticipate future needs. New Sunday School classes including children's were added. Children's Moments were added to the second service. The first VBS was held in 1993 and has grown yearly. Since 1993 our church has hosted soccer and basketball teams, Scouting groups, Girls Club and Children's church. The Youth program has also greatly developed. The youth reach out to serve others through annual mission trips supported by their energetic efforts.
The vision of growth led to organizing a second service in January 1992, due to overcrowding in many areas of church life. The church pursued a loan of 30K to purchase the 9.77 acres adjacent to our property. It fell through at the last minute. Finance Chairman, Loren Keefer stood on the Sunday after Easter, April 10, 1994 and advised the congregation who responded by immediately writing and tearing out checks. The church property now consists of 15 acres.
The Sanctuary was Consecrated on Pentecost Sunday, May 17, 1997 with Bishop Cornelius Henderson presiding. The Dedication marked the 10th Anniversary since the opening worship service. The congregation was less than 700 members when the decision was made to build a building that seated over 800. The growth that it saw during those initial ten years continues today with a church that has grown to over 1300 members and an average attendance of 777.
Music has been an important ministry from the beginning with a choir that began under the direction of Marilyn Morse who began the Chancel Choir and served the growing music program during the first four years. Other music directors have included George Fitzgerald and Billie Hengel who started the Chapel Choir and Community Choir Festival. Five organists have served the church including Louise Porringer, Winnie Rodick Fertig, Millie Walczuk, Jane Johnson and Gail Leinhos. Gail Leinhos began our Children's Choirs and Handbell Choirs and has served as the Director of Music since mid 1999.
George A. (Archie) Buie, III received his appointment to Ocala West at the 2002 FL. Annual Conference. His first Sunday as the pastor of the church was June 16, 2002. Archie's main thrust, assisted and supported by his wife, Carolyn, has been to offer more opportunities for spiritual growth, which have thus far included: Disciple I Bible Study, Reading-through-the Bible-in One Year Projects, two three-day Revivals, Lenten prayer study, and a Spiritual Gifts Workshop. In December 2003 our church was named a "Welcoming Congregation" by the national Igniting Ministry Office. Ocala West strives to reach children, youth and seniors in the community as it carries out its new Vision Statement. "Share Jesus, Grow Disciples, Serve God."
In the Spring of 2006 Pastor Archie announced his retirement and a search was on for a new Senior Pastor. In July of 2006 Rev. Dr Ken Kleckner was named the new Senior Pastor. In 2007 Bob Williams was named the new Music Director replacing Gail who retired to move north to be by her family. In 2009 the church was growing, and the need for an Assistant Pastor was announced. After some searching we reached "across the pond" and named Pastor Keith Hopper as the new Assistant Pastor along with his wife Gina. Unfortuantly this is only a temporary move as we will have to say good by to Keith in the Summer of 2011. In 2011 we named a new intern Senior Pastor Dr. David Brazelton and in the Summer of 2011 hope to see the arrival of our new Senior Pastor. In June of 2011 we said our goodbye's to Pastor Keith and Pastor Dave. In July of 2011 we greeted our new Senior Pastor, Pastor Alan Jefferson. We now embarq on a new path as we get closer to celebrating our 25th Anniversary in 2012.
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