United Methodist Church of Sun City & Youngtown, Arizona

Lakeview UMC History

Reverend Leonard Smoot

On Palm Sunday, March 22, 1970, the members of the newly organized congregation of Lakeview United Methodist Church of Sun City held their first worship service in the social hall of Lakeview Recreation Center. Dr. Leonard J. Smoot was the pastor, sent here by the National Board of Missions. By November 1, 1970, there were 159 Charter Members.

At the time of the completion of the beautiful new sanctuary in July of 1973, there was a congregation of approximately 900.

As the membership of Lakeview U.M. Church approached 2,000, the need for an additional fellowship hall and extra office space became acute. Building began for a new fellowship hall and expansion of the office wing December 6, 1977.

On October 21, 1979, six years after the consecration of the Sanctuary, we had ONE GREAT DAY OF CELEBRATION. The Sanctuary, debt free, was dedicated and Smoot Hall and other additions consecrated.

In 1980 the Nelle Forrest Wright Memorial Chapel was built, completing the building complex in a ten-year period with money loaned and given by the congregation.

The Frank Miller Memorial Bell Tower and the Lakeview Columbarium were completed in 1984. A remodeling and extension of the office building took place in 1995.