Lakeview Church’s legacy traces its roots back to a turn of the century evangelist named Maria Woodworth Etter. She launched the church to be a home base of operations for her traveling ministry, which saw thousands converted to following Christ and hundreds experience amazing healings under the power of God.

Maria Woodworth-Etter Tabernacle

The Maria Woodworth-Etter Tabernacle was opened in 1918. When she died six years later, her business manager, August Fiech, assumed leadership of the church. After nine years, the congregation dwindled to just a handful of members.

In 1933, God called Tom Paino, Sr. to assume leadership of the church. He launched a two-week tent revival next to the tabernacle. God’s power filled the tent, and sinners cried for mercy. Believers were filled with the Holy Spirit. This two-week revival continued at the Etter Tabernacle every night for 13 years!

But tragedy struck in 1946. An arsonist set fire to the tabernacle, and the building was completely destroyed. In Post World War II America, the government had many restrictions on construction. Church members were only allowed to rebuild the basement. Thomas decided to take drastic measures. He drafted a letter to President Truman asking for a special exemption to finish the church. President Truman responded to city officials, “Our churches are our first line of defense. See to it that the church has the material and permits they need to finish the building.”

Westside Gospel Tabernacle

With the new building came a new name: The Westside Gospel Tabernacle. Attendance grew to more than 500. In 1956, Thomas Paino invited his son, Tom Jr to join the pastoral staff. Tom was a natural leader and administrator. In addition to Pentecostal worship, a new emphasis was surfacing, a more structured organization built around Sunday School classes. Membership at Westside exploded from 500 to 1000. Tom, Jr. spearheaded several building additions to meet the new challenges of the growing church, which was now part of the Fellowship of the Assemblies of God.

By the late 60s, the building was taxed to its maximum capacity. With no extra property available at the Belmont and Miller location, Tom Jr and his leadership team began looking for a new site. The church acquired a 15-acre piece of land near Rockville Road and the yet unfinished I-465 loop. Its proximity to the airport and the promise of increased traffic at this future key intersection quickly raised the property value.

Lakeview Temple

In 1969, construction of the new church home was completed. Members recall the day the doors opened. In addition to the 7-mile move west, the church changed its name to Lakeview Temple and was now mobilized to reach a new community.

During his 25 years as senior pastor, Tom Paino was blessed with gifted leaders on his staff. One of them was a young, energetic youth pastor named Ron Bontrager. He eventually left Lakeview to lead churches in Illinois and Indiana.

Lakeview Christian Center

In 1994, Tom tapped Ron’s shoulder to take the reign of leadership at the church, which was now known as Lakeview Christian Center. The next 10 years would result in a rich season of continued growth and new ministry expansion under Pastor Ron:

  • Lakeview planted three churches in central Indiana: Cityview Christian Center, Vida Cristiana and Crossroads Church.
  • A new emphasis in free market small groups is now providing a way for believers to connect with each other and extend God’s love to the lost.
  • A strong commitment to youth ministry is supporting parents in raising a new generation of passionate believers in Christ.
  • Specialized support groups are walking people through some of life’s toughest challenges.
  • A fresh wave in musical worship is energizing the congregation with a contemporary sound that’s drawing thousands into God’s presence.
  • New believers are pouring into the church. In fact, 23 percent of all new attenders since 2002 are recent converts to Christ.

Lakeview Church

As the church prepared to embark on its biggest challenge ever, a new building project, members agreed to change the name to Lakeview Church. To raise capital for an extensive building addition, Lakeview launched a capital campaign called Catalyst. This simple one-word message means “an agent of change.” That is exactly what God calls His church to be in today’s culture: agents of positive change as we reflect His life and love to our city. As a result of the Catalyst campaign, a new wing for children and youth opened in April of 2007, along with a new, expanded lobby and a dedicated prayer tower overlooking I-465 and much of the city of Indianapolis. Today, Lakeview has nearly 2,000 people in attendance and is poised for explosive growth.