Wednesday evening was a brilliant time for the bell choir at Oak Harbor’s First United Methodist Church.

Everyone was abuzz with enthusiasm because there were new covers for the bells and, at that moment, life couldn’t get any better.

Chet Hansen, the bell choir director and the church’s music director, was at the front, tapping a baton to wrangle everyone’s glee into a formal practice.

As folks settled, they began the session warming up with a song titled “Joyous Spirit,” and yes, oh, joyous spirit everyone did have.

The scene is normal living when it comes to the daily happenings at First United Methodist Church, located on Ireland Street.

This weekend the festive spirits will kick into high gear as First United marks 115 years of ministry with open house events.

March marked the actual anniversary, but Pastor David Lura admits that date passed without much fanfare.

“We were busy and when you think of milestone anniversaries, the 115th usually doesn’t come to mind,” he said.

During the open house, people are invited to bring in memorabilia — pictures and mementos — from the church’s history. They can stop by and share a story and be welcome, as they always are at the church that prides itself on its ties to the community.

“The history of this church goes back into the history of the community,” Lura said. “The church helped form the town in its early days and continues to be active in everything it does.”

Lura jokes that he’d love to change the name of the church to better reflect its history and feel.

“Community Church?,” he wonders.

Before First United Methodist was known as such, its first incarnation, the Crescent Harbor Church, was built and its congregation incorporated in 1891.

“Pioneer church, maybe that’d fit,” Lura said.

In the early years of Oak Harbor, the Methodist church was at the heart of it all.

The town crossroads of Pioneer and Midway was just around the corner and Smith Park was the park in town. Oak Harbor’s downtown was bustling and the church kept growing.

“Crossroads Church, that’d be good, too,” he said.

First United Methodist has always offered the community open hearts, open minds and open doors.

The mission emphasis at First United is written on the wall. Inside the sanctuary, above the entry doors, reads, “Worship has ended; let service begin,” with two hands lifting a dove into flight.

In recent years, the church was instrumental in getting an Island County Habitat for Humanity chapter going. Steve Guilliford with the Island County Housing Authority and a First United member, helped lead the creation of Marji’s House which helps victims of domestic abuse and provides low-income housing for families in need. First United continues to support Marji’s House.

Lura avoids being prideful, but can’t help but boast of his parishioners and all they do.

“Folks from this church always make an effort to be involved in every aspect of this community,” Lura said. “I work to show Christ’s love by not only preaching to people, but by encouraging service to others.”

Wednesday nights at the church is the Koinonia Cafe that invites the community in for a meal and fellowship. And any night you can bet the church is bustling with youth activities, choir practices, service planning sessions and more.

The church maintains a connection with other churches on the island. The church participates in a regular softball league consisting of teams from Oak Harbor churches.

Lura often jokingly gets called “the commissioner” for having started the league that plays and prays around home plate.

“One of the hallmarks of the church is our ability to evolve with the community and continue an ecumenical spirit,” Lura said.

And for years, its parishioners have opened their hearts and homes to supporting the men and women serving at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Back in the 1950s and ‘60s it was was an especially popular practice for church members like Maxine Hansen to invite sailors over for dinner.

“To this day, if she hears of a young sailor or family in need she’ll adopt them and bring them into her home,” Lura said.

This is also the 20th year that Lura has been pastor at the church and next July 1 will mark his anniversary. Lura has been a Methodist pastor for 25 years. He and his wife, Colleen, came to Whidbey in 1987. Their son Daniel is a junior and varsity tennis standout at Oak Harbor High School.

His elongated tenure is a rarity among Methodist churches.

“History of the church has seen pastors move around often,” Lura said. “Three years is the typical tour of duty.”

Lura isn’t the only veteran staff member, as a good number of the church staff have been with First United for at least 10 years.

Current membership hangs around 500, but that doesn’t fully reflect the health of the church, Lura said.

“The life of the church is in participation and right now we have an attendance that pushes 350 and a number of thriving activities,” he said.

While watching the bell choir practice Wednesday, Lura was beaming ear to ear. He was in his element, as he is often watching his parishioners find joy in serving others.

“It’s all about community,” Lura said. “Community Church, maybe that’s it … maybe.”

Be there this weekend

Oak Harbor’s First United Methodist Church will host open house events this weekend in honor of its 115 years of ministry. Come Saturday 7 to 8 p.m. or Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1050 SE Ireland St. Share stories from First United’s history. Come for fellowship. For information visit www.ohfunc.org or call 675-2441.

Oldest church

in town

At 115 years, Pastor David Lura said his is the oldest church in town, albeit the current building doesn’t share the same birthday.

Before First United Methodist was known as such, its first incarnation, the Crescent Harbor Church, was built and its congregation incorporated in 1891. Its location was near the present day north side of the intersection of Torpedo and Crescent Harbor roads.

When the population moved closer to Oak Harbor, services were held in the store of L.P. Byrne and the Ladies Aid Hall during the transition of building a new church. The white frame building, then referred to as First United Methodist, was completed in 1920 at the current Ireland Street location. Classrooms were added in the 1950s.

A new sanctuary was built in 1965. In 1971 there was an arson and the building was replaced the same year. Classrooms were again added in the early 1970s and a major remodel and the second-story addition of Centennial Hall in 1989 brought the church to its current image.