Lakeside Community Chapel renovates old sanctuary
The old sanctuary at Lakeside Community Chapel's old sanctuary Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. The space is being renovated, revealing original wood paneling, wainscoting and floor joists, which is thought to be from old-growth trees. The renovated space will be used to hold youth Sunday services. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)
The old sanctuary at Lakeside Community Chapel's old sanctuary Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. The space is being renovated, revealing original wood paneling, wainscoting and floor joists, which is thought to be from old-growth trees. The renovated space will be used to hold youth Sunday services. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)
Lakeside Community Chapel Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. The church is in the midst of renovating the original sanctuary. Exterior siding, lighting and doors were replaced. The bell and bell tower were restored and structurally reinforced in 2020. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)
Floor joists are exposed during renovations to the old sanctuary at Lakeside Community Chapel in this photo taken in September or October 2023. The wood is thought by church members to have been harvested from old-growth trees. (Photo provided)
Lakeside Community Chapel board of trustees chairman Sam Bagley shows two antique Bibles at the church Saturday, Oct. 23, 2023. The Bibles have since been sent to Missoula to be rebound. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)
The old church bell rope at Lakeside Community Chapel was removed to install a stationary automatic bell ringer. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)
A stationary automatic bell ringer has replaced the traditional rope at Lakeside Community Chapel Saturday, Oct. 23, 2023. The bell and belfry were restored in 2020. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)
Crews discovered the kitchen at Lakeside Community Chapel was resting on the rotting two-by-fours stacked on top of the concrete foundation during renovations in this September 2023 photo. A similar situation was discovered under the bell tower. The unforseen expense of replacing the joists ate up a large portion of the church's orgininal budget. (Photo provided)
The old sanctuary at Lakeside Community Chapel's old sanctuary Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. The space is being renovated, revealing original wood paneling, wainscoting and floor joists, which is thought to be from old-growth trees. The renovated space will be used to hold youth Sunday services. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)
The history of the old sanctuary at Lakeside Community Chapel has been laid bare during renovations — from the floor joists to the landmark bell tower.
Once falling in disrepair, having served as a catchall storage area, crews are restoring the vitality of the old chapel. Once completed, it will serve as the home for youth Sunday worship services and programs which the church is reviving with Cassie Speck on board as the new associate pastor.
One of the interesting finds in the old chapel has been the wood from the joists, wainscoting and wood paneling of unusual dimensions that cover the walls and ceiling. Although the sanctuary was built in the early 1950s, lead volunteer on the sanctuary renovation project and church board of trustees chairman, Sam Bagley, estimates the wood is from old-growth timber from the Somers sawmill.
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