Forest Lake Presbyterian church builds firm foundation
By Rachel Haynie

The Rev. Dr. Ellen Skidmore, senior pastor of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, and Nicolette Cook, future homeowner of the Habitat for Humanity House

Rev. Dr. Ellen Skidmore is in the midst of Forest Lake Presbyterian's history only a few weeks after officially taking the pulpit. Members began building a Habitat for Humanity house in the church parking lot to celebrate the church's 50th anniversary.

Working alongside church members was the home's future owner, Nicolette Cook. Once complete the house will be moved to Cook's chosen building site in Gilbert, S.C., near several of her relatives.

In compliance with the Habitat for Humanity policy, Cook has already invested more than 350 hours of sweat equity working on houses now occupied by other applicants. She brought experience and passion to her hammering last Saturday as she joined church members in nailing studs in place.

Last week, many of the charter members returned for a special worship service led by the Rev. Joe Harvard whose father was the first minister at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church. Frank Brennecke, Thomas and Ethel Cureton, Joan Dieterman Goldenberg, Mary Goodwin, Joseph Sherwood Harvard, Jr., Nantes Harvard Reynolds, Fay Harvard Folline, Janie Hancock, Hazel Harwood, Becky Hope, Rosa Putnam, Dusty and Lib Rhodes, Bob Russell, Pat Thomas, Steve and Kitty Trewhella, Doris Whitehouse, Lynn Whitehouse, Oscar and Helen Wooten, and Hugh and Joyce Wilds were some of those who returned to the church they helped found. The congregation also blessed the house for Cook.

Dr. Skidmore, who previously was associate minister at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, left nearly eight years ago prior to the birth of her third daughter. The three daughters are Virginia Claire, Wesley, and Rachel. For approximately the same number of years, the Rev. Eric Skidmore has been an associate parish minister at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church. His primary responsibility, however, is as chaplain to the state police.

During those years away from a full-time ministry, the Rev. Dr. Ellen Skidmore supplied other churches from time to time, including interim pastoral positions at McGregor Presbyterian Church, educational consulting with both Shandon and McGregor Presbyterian churches, and various Presbytery responsibilities.

She has also been active in the community through the Master Gardener program and with Forest Lake Elementary School. She has served in leadership roles with the Richland District Two's Long Range Planning Committee and Two Academy.

The church's 50th anniversary committee has numerous other events and observations planned, according to Dr. John Hudgens. A capital campaign mounted in anticipation of the anniversary drew pledges enough to put $50,000 toward construction of the Habitat for Humanity House and to undertake additional projects that will mark the occasion. Presbyterian College and Thornwell Home and School for Children, both in Clinton, will receive support during the anniversary observance.

The builders at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church expect to be putting a roof onto the house by the weekend of September 15, 2006.