Hazel Dell Christian Church, formerly known as Woodland Springs Christian Church, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. As part of the celebration, members from the church attended an event to open a time capsule that had been sealed since the church’s beginning in 1968.
Four couples began to consider launching a church in Carmel in 1967 when they anticipated growth on the north side of Indianapolis. The land was bought in 1968, and the building was finished in 1971.
The church moved from its original location at 3405 E. 116th St. to 146th Street and Hazel Dell Road in 2000. Now, the original location on 116th Street is occupied by the Chinese Community Church. The time capsule was placed in a sealed copper box that was hidden inside of a limestone block built on the exterior of the building. Kent Grubaugh, the son of one of the church’s founding couples, removed the limestone block hiding the time capsule.
A church bulletin, documents state the names of officers on the church board, a list of the charter membership, the city map of Carmel and a four-page history of the church were included in the time capsule.
Keith Stockberger has attended the church his whole life and was present during the time capsule installation in 1971. Now 56, Stockberger still lives in Carmel and attends Hazel Dell Christian Church.
“It is your family when you worship every Sunday with the same people your entire life,” he said. “It’s been neat to see how that church that a few people had a vision for in such a small community has come a part of the community and had an effect on the community.”
An anniversary celebration is scheduled during the services on Aug. 26. Service times are at 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m., and an open house is scheduled for 3 p.m.
