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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
December 2001 |
Country
Church:
Altarstar celebrates Christmas
every day with merged name
By Matthew Oates
- Altarstar UMC, Fort Wayne District
- Pastor: The Rev. Gerry Weesner
- Members: 50
- Average Attendance: 35
- Location: Northeast corner of DeKalb County roads 11A and 68
DeKALB COUNTY - When the bell tolls at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays, it echoes throughout the neighboring Cedar Chapel Cemetery and offers a "one-hour warning" to all who worship at Altarstar UMC.
But to those familiar with United Methodist church names, consulting an Indiana highway map will not help you: there is no Altarstar, Ind.
Instead, there is history, religious thought and tradition behind the name of the gray cement stucco-clad church at the corner of DeKalb County roads 11A and 68. The church's name comes from a merger between two area Methodist churches-Cedar Chapel and Butler Center-and a "Name the New Church" contest. Cecil Myers submitted the name, and Altarstar was christened on June 4, 1961.
According to church history, the name was chosen because it represents the centrality of the altar and the presence of God and the star's symbolism of our focus on Christ, much like those evenings so long ago over Bethlehem.
The church with a high bell tower was the Cedar Chapel building. It has six arching windows in the sanctuary, complimented by wainscoting and matching arches on the inside that are not only around the windows, but also around the altar. The altar has a hand-made cross, constructed by long-time member Arthur Wildeson. The first floor is the sanctuary, with the basement serving as the kitchen area, meeting area and Sunday school classroom.
Gerry and his wife, Kaye, had worked at Raytheon in Fort Wayne and were involved at Leo UMC. But when Gerry received "The Call," Kaye was thrilled as well. "God had other plans for my life," Gerry says.
After talking it over with Fort Wayne District Superintendent Larry Ray and becoming a certified lay speaker, Gerry took classes and recently graduated from license-to-preach school. He's been preaching since June, with Kaye helping out.
"This is a legitimate country church," points out Gerry. There is no community around it; the closest town is Garrett, which is five minutes north. Subdivisions are being built, as it is now an extended suburb of Garrett, Auburn and Fort Wayne.
Altarstar members are heavily involved in mission projects. Besides the food-laden chancel, the church has supported the Heifer Project, established covenant relationships with missionaries, held harvest suppers for other mission projects and is developing a nursing home chapel service.
The church is also working with various age groups-from the nursing home ministry to confirmation class for the youth. Age doesn't matter, says Gerry. "We want to teach them God's word."
Last updated on 01/14/2004