Did you recognize this church? Highly visible on the west side of State Route 16 by the Burley overpass in Port Orchard, it’s St. Bede Episcopal Church on Lider Road.

According to the vicar of St. Bede, Fr. Mike Morrissey, the building is more than 100 years old and it’s the church for which Bethel Road — “House of God” (Beth El) — is named.

The original community church was built by a number of area families including the Lider and Mullenix families.

Many may remember the “Nifty Nickel” thrift shop in Gorst managed by the ladies of the St. Martha and St. Mary Guild. The several years’ labor of love at the “Nickel,” plus gifts from St. John Episcopal Church in Gig Harbor, made possible the purchase of the building for St. Bede Episcopal Church in 1976.

Plans are developing to add a second story on the commons hall, then expand the worship space and keep the sense of the current “look” as the white church along the highway.

Web site: stbedeschurch.org

Check www.portorchardindependent.com/community on Monday for next week’s Where in South Kitsap? photo.