LORD'S ACRE HISTORY

At a Church Board Meeting on April 27, 1947, it was decided to call a meeting to work out a plan whereby they might be able to raise money for a church building. The motion was made that, " We as a church enter into the program as follows: The Powell Butte Lord's Acre Project". The idea was adopted from the Farmer's Federation in South Carolina who initiated "The Lord's Acre" to help members of African-American churches to finance their needs. Originally, each farm family was to donate the yield from one acre of land to the Lord's work - thus the name "Lord's Acre". The funds from the first few Lord's Acre sales were used to contruct and maintain our existing sanctuary, but from the beginning at least ten percent of the proceeds went to missions. In later years, Lord's Acre funds have been used for building additions and improvements, local and overseas missions, and Bible College support and scholarships.




Founders Founders
Mr. & Mrs C.C. Vice, Mr. & Mrs. Jess Minson, Mr. & Mrs. Ira Carter, Mr. Earl Thompson, and Mr. & Mrs. Henry Musick were given much credit for the inauguration of the event. The first pastor at Powell Butte "Penny" Penhollow would admonish the congregation each year before the Lord's Acre: "We must remember to remain humble and thankful. All our efforts throughout the year are for God's Glory!"

The First Lord's Acre Sale
There have always been a lot of volunteers who make Lord's Acre such a wonderful and successful event. Here are some remarks and statistics from the first Powell Butte Lord's Acre sale:
The 1st Pit Barbecue: Mr. C. C. Vice said, " I read somewhere in a magazine how to barbecue beef. I had never tried it before. But we all got together, dug a pit, and went at it. We've never done better."
Ned Fields (Erickson's Market) donated coffee and Kilgore's Dairy donated milk. One large bun with meat and barbecue sauce, coffee, and a donut was sold for fifty cents.

The Auction included:
315 Sacks of certified seed potatoes,300 Sacks of commercial potatoes, 1 Purebred Guernsey heifer, 2 Tons of wheat, 2 Tons of barley, Clover seeds, and hay, 2 Fat steers, Prime Calves, 6 Feeder pigs, Ducks, Chickens, Geese. The first year grossed $5,968.84.






Famous Faces

The Lord's Acre has drawn many honored guests over the years. Many politicians took advantage of the large crowds and made appearances.

1959 - Senator John F. Kennedy, his wife Jackie, and Mrs. Lonny (Nola) Yates with the quilt she made for the auction that was purchased by the Kennedys.

Oregon Govenor Mark O. Hatfield (center), and his wife, talking with barbecue pit attendee Sid Carter.



Minnesota Senator Hubert H. Hunphrey's testing a pit barbecue potato.



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