Lakewood United Methodist Est. 1913
A.D. MCMXIII · Shadyside Avenue
Lakewood, New York · A United Methodist Congregation

A small church with a wide welcome.

We are a quiet, traditional congregation on the corner of Shadyside & Summit — gathering for Sunday worship, a Tuesday Bible study, and a hundred ordinary acts of neighbor-love in between. You are welcome here, just as you are.

Sunday Worship
9:45 a.m. Every week, all are welcome
Find Us
164 Shadyside Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750
Call
(716) 763-9345 lakewoodunitedmc@gmail.com
Lakewood United Methodist Church on Shadyside Avenue
We affirm the fact that every person is loved equally by God our Creator — and welcomed equally at this table, in this pew, and through these doors.
— Our Statement of Welcome
I · Worship

Sunday mornings, together.

Our weekly worship is a traditional United Methodist service — scripture, hymns sung from the pew, prayer, sermon, and (most weeks) the historic pipe organ played by Martin Swalboski. The service runs about an hour. Coffee follows.

This Sunday
9:45a.m.
every Sunday morning

If it's your first time, walk in the front doors any time before the prelude — there are no reserved seats and no dress code. A bulletin and a friendly hand will find you.

Children are welcome in the sanctuary. Church School follows worship for those who'd like it.

The historic pipe organ has led the congregation in song since the present sanctuary opened in 1964.

And the rest of the week

Mon · 7:30a
Morning Prayer Downstairs prayer room — quiet, brief, open to anyone.
Church
Tue · 10:00a
Tuesday Morning Bible Study A long-running discussion group; bring your Bible and your questions.
Parlor
Wed · 10:00a
Mid-week Prayer in the Sanctuary Half an hour of intercession; printed prayer list provided.
Sanctuary
Sun · 6:30p
Youth Fellowship Jr. High in the Parlor · Sr. High downstairs in the Youth Room.
Both
II · Our Story

One hundred and thirteen years on the lake.

Lakewood's Methodists trace their origin to the first non-denominational fellowship in the village. We were formally incorporated in 1913, and have worshipped at the corner of Shadyside and Summit since the present sanctuary was completed in 1964.

The historic pipe organ in the Lakewood UMC sanctuary
The sanctuary on Shadyside Avenue, dedicated in 1964 — the youngest of the four churches built within the village in that decade.

Long before there was a building, there was a gathering. The earliest religious body in the village of Lakewood was a non-denominational group; the Methodists formed their congregation from within it, organizing formally in 1913. Members met in a simple wooden church for fifty years before crossing the avenue to the present sanctuary.

Today we are a small congregation — about a hundred souls on a good Sunday — and that smallness is much of our gift. We know each other's names. We notice when someone is missing. We bake for funerals and visit the homebound and pray for the people in this town and on this lake by name.

We are part of The United Methodist Church, in the Cornerstone District of the Upper New York Annual Conference. We sing the old hymns, take communion at the rail, and try, week by week, to live up to our table's wide welcome.

1913
Lakewood Methodist Church incorporated, growing out of the village's first fellowship.
1964
Present sanctuary dedicated at 164 Shadyside Avenue, on the corner of Summit Street.
2018
Rev. Michael R. Childs called as pastor — beginning his eighth year here this summer.
III · Pastor

A familiar face at the door.

Rev. Michael R. Childs has served as pastor at Lakewood since July 2018. He preaches every Sunday and is happy to meet for coffee, a hospital visit, a wedding conversation, or simply to listen.

Rev. Michael Childs with children at the chancel

Rev. Michael R. Childs Pastor since July 1, 2018

Pastor Childs is a graduate of Houghton College (B.A., 1982) and Palmer Theological Seminary at Eastern University (M.Div., 1995). Originally ordained in the American Baptist tradition, he transitioned into United Methodist ministry and previously served the United Methodist Church of Celoron before being appointed here.

He and his wife LeAnn have two children, Nathaniel and Adrienne. Pastor Childs particularly loves the church's prison-ministry work and the Tuesday morning Bible study — and is the reliable host of our annual Holy Humor Sunday.

Email
lakewoodunitedmc@gmail.com
Office
(716) 763-9345
Drop-in hours
Weekday mornings
IV · Ministries

Ways we serve together.

Most of our ministries are small, weekly, and faithful — Bible study around a long table; a prayer list someone keeps by hand; a casserole sent to a grieving family. A few are bigger. All are open to you.

i.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

A long-running discussion group that has shaped the spiritual life of generations of members. Bring a Bible, bring a question, bring nothing at all.

Tuesdays · 10 a.m. · Parlor
ii.

Prison & Jail Ministry

For decades, members have visited, written, and prayed for those in correctional facilities in our region — a quiet ministry that the church considers central, not peripheral.

Year-round · Coordinated through the office
iii.

Friendship Circle & United Methodist Women

Generations of Lakewood women have organized service projects, study, and fellowship through the Friendship Circle and the wider UMW. New members are warmly welcomed.

Monthly · Fellowship Hall
iv.

Vacation Bible School

Held jointly each summer with our sister congregations at Celoron UMC and Ashville UMC — a week of supper, songs, and stories for children of any background.

Early August · Evenings
v.

Youth Fellowship

Jr. High meets in the Parlor; Sr. High meets in the downstairs Youth Room. Both gather Sunday evenings — games, conversation, and a good supper.

Sundays · 6:30 p.m.
vi.

Community Use of the Building

The church hosts a weekly Weight Watchers meeting and a monthly Bariatric Surgery Support Group — two of several ways our building serves the broader Lakewood community.

Weekday daytime & evenings
V · Missions

Beyond these doors.

A small congregation can reach a long way through the connectional ministry of The United Methodist Church. Our giving and our hands support work near and far — from local food and disaster relief through UMCOR, to partnerships our members have built across the years.

Mission opportunities are announced from the pulpit and on our Facebook page; ask any greeter how to get involved.

Sister Churches
Celoron & Ashville UMC
Conference
Upper New York Annual
District
Cornerstone District
Connectional Relief
UMCOR & Sager Brown
Easter morning at Lakewood UMC — lilies, hyacinths, and the wooden cross
VI · This Year

What's coming up.

Beyond the rhythm of Sunday morning, a handful of larger gatherings shape our year. All are open to neighbors, friends, and visitors of every kind.

Sun, Apr 12after Easter

Holy Humor Sunday

An old Lakewood tradition: the Sunday after Easter is given to laughter, jokes, lighter hymns, and the unembarrassed joy of resurrection. 9:45 a.m. service.

Annual
Aug 3 – 7Mon – Fri evenings

Vacation Bible School

Five evenings of supper, songs, lessons, and crafts for children — held jointly with our friends at Celoron UMC and Ashville UMC. All children are welcome; no church membership required.

Joint
Aug 27 – 29Thu – Sat

Annual Church Sale

Our biggest community gathering of the year, held in the fellowship hall. Thursday 4–6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bake sale alongside.

Community
Dec 24Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Carols, scripture, and the lighting of candles around the sanctuary. A favorite service for visiting family and longtime members alike.

Seasonal
VII · Visit

Find us on Shadyside.

We are on the corner of Shadyside Avenue and Summit Street, two blocks from Chautauqua Avenue. Parking is available alongside the church and across the street; the front doors are accessible from the sidewalk.

Address
164 Shadyside AvenueLakewood, NY 14750-1316
Corner of Shadyside & Summit
Phone
(716) 763-9345Leave a message; the office returns calls weekday mornings.
Email
lakewoodunitedmc@gmail.comFor prayer requests, weddings, funerals, or general inquiries.
Office hours
Weekday morningsApproximately 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. — call ahead, especially in summer.
Sunday
Worship at 9:45 a.m.The sanctuary opens about 20 minutes before; ushers will greet you at the front doors.
Online
Facebook · @LakewoodUnitedMethodistThe most up-to-date place for service notes, weather closings, and photos.
The Church
164 Shadyside Avenue
Lakewood, NY 14750
VIII · Give

Generosity, the old-fashioned way.

Lakewood UMC is supported entirely by the generosity of its members and friends. Every dollar received goes directly to the work of this congregation: the lights, the pipe organ tuning, the prison-ministry stamps, the children's snacks, the apportionments that keep us connected to the wider United Methodist Church.

We do not yet have an online giving platform. We are grateful for any gift offered in person or by mail — and a thank-you note will follow each one.

In Person
During Sunday WorshipThe offering plate passes during the service.
By Mail
Lakewood United Methodist Church164 Shadyside Avenue · Lakewood, NY 14750-1316
Tax-deductible
501(c)(3) since 1974Receipt furnished on request — please contact the office.
Designated Gifts
Memorials, missions, musicNote your intent in the memo line; we'll honor it.