Roadside
Chapel has been serving the Rutland Vermont area for over fifty years. The
history of the church goes back to 1953 when a small group of people began
cottage prayer meetings. Soon they were holding evening meetings above McClellan's
Drug store (upstairs of what is not now the Bella Sola. The Hope Cafe is located
in the actual meeting location).
In
1954, the first pastor of the church, Harry Snook purchased land at 42 Woodstock
Ave, in Rutland Vermont. In 1956, the church was incorporated with the State
of Vermont. Later that year, construction of the first the building known
as Roadside Chapel was started with the first service held in the new building
in October, 1957.
September
of 1962 saw the arrival of the second pastor of Roadside Chapel when Dan and
Ruth Vanluven arrived to pastor the church. Following the arrival of Pastor
Dan, the church saw considerable growth as it expanded it's ministries adding
Beth Shalom and other ministries including a book store. In May 1977, the
church purchased land on Town Line Road for possible future expansion. The
result of that purchase was the completion and first services in a new larger
facility at 1680 Town Line Road on October 6, 1991. The continued growth of
the church resulted in the arrival of Pastor Rob and Denise Ranville as assistant
pastor during the summer of 1997.
In
December of 2004, Pastor Dan resigned, handing over the leadership of the
church to Pastor Rob. The church has continued its growth since then and celebrated
it's fifty year anniverary on May 6-7 with a number of events including a
concert with Sarah Groves.
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