Centennial History of Winona Lake, Indiana, Now Available
June 7th, 2013
A definitive new 350-page history of the town of Winona Lake, Indiana, Winona at 100: Third Wave Rising, authored by Brethren Encylopedia Board member Terry White with collaboration from Steve Grill was released June 1. The book’s 20 chapters detail the history of the town from Indian days through the First Wave, which included the Beyer Brothers’ Spring Fountain Park and the purchase of the entire property by Dr. Solomon Dickey and the Presbyterian Church.
The second wave—when Winona was known worldwide as the “world’s largest Bible conference"--includes history surrounding town residents Billy Sunday and Homer Rodeheaver, the founding of Youth For Christ, and the launching of Billy Graham’s evangelistic ministry from an all-night prayer meeting in the Westminster.
Other chapters detail the history of sacred music at Winona through the Rodeheaver Hall-Mack company, the dozens of ministries and organizations that began in Winona Lake and now are spread throughout the world, the history of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches and Grace College and Seminary, and a chapter entitled “Crimes and Tragedies” that details much of the folklore and actual events that add color and poignancy to the town’s history.
The Third Wave, which includes the takeover of all assets and liabilities of the Christian Assembly by Grace College and Seminary in 1968 and the founding of Winona Restoration Partners in 1994, brings the reader up to date with the founding of the Village at Winona and the contributions of Dr. Dane and Mary Louise Miller that have once again brought prominence to the little village, including the annual summer MasterWorks classical music festival. The book concludes with a walking tour of notable event locations and architecture of many of the town’s structures.
Long a favorite gathering place and conference center for Brethren groups, Winona has been significant in the history of several of the Brethren groups. The book retails for $19.99 and its ISBN number is 978-0-88469-284-3. It is available from Amazon.com and other online booksellers and local Christian bookstores.
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