The Clear Lake Evangelical Church was established in 1948. The history of the church dates back to 1900 when Mr. and Mrs. Peter KNUDSON financed the construction of the church known as the Gospel Mission or Knudson Church. Later it was known by the name the Gospel Tabernacle Church. In 1947 Mr. and Mrs. Clarence KNUDSON improved the church property. The KNUDSON family maintained the building until 1954 when they gave the property to the present church organization. In 1956 the facilities were expanded and that building now serves the congregation of the Regular Baptist Church as their house of worship.

An important event in the history of the church occurred on December 22, 1948, when 36 people met and reorganized themselves as charter members of the Evangelical Free church. The congregation remained in the facility at 6th and 7th Avenue North until April of 1979 when the congregation moved to its present sanctuary at 1310 Highway 18 West.

In 1981 a new wing was added to provide needed Sunday School classrooms. Later additional classrooms and a gymnasium were added. A youth center, The BASE, is located at 417 1st Street South in downtown Clear Lake. The church currently has in addition to the senior pastor, a youth pastor, a pastor of worship and music, a secretary and a custodian.

The following men have served as senior pastors at the Clear Lake Evangelical Free Church: LaReau THORWALL, Lional BARRETT, Albert KURTZ, Samuel WALBERG, Harold McGOWAN, Ray FAUST, Kent WAGNER, Patrick CLINTON, Dave Van WINGERDEN, Dave WIERSBE and Daniel W. JORDAN.

SOURCE: http://www.clearlakefree.org/Church_history.html
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2011