Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at State Street United Methodist Church
1101 State Street • Bowling Green, Kentucky • 11th Street Entrance
The SSMC Annual Lasagna Lunch and Bazaar began in 1956 to raise money to refurbish the church kitchen. Planned and run by the church’s Women’s Society and Christian Service (WSCS), the first two years were rummage/craft sales held in the church Fellowship Hall. In 1959, the first real bazaar was held downtown on the square selling arts and crafts made by women of the church (no food was sold). In the early 1960s, the bazaar moved to the church building and a meal of turkey salad sandwiches and vegetable soup was sold, as well as the crafts made by the WSCS members.
The chair of the Bazaar and Luncheon from the beginning was Mrs. L.M. (Helen) Claypool. In 1980, Alice Griffin took over as overall chair and Mrs. Claypool remained chair of crafts and handiwork. It was in the early 1980s that the luncheon menu changed to its now-famous lasagna.
The focus for the funds raised changed in 1981, by directive of the United Methodist Women, from improvements of the church to mission projects. In 2005, the arts and crafts portion of the Bazaar expanded by allowing outside craft vendors to set up booths.
For 69 years the State Street United Methodist Church WSCS Annual Lunch and Bazaar has been a part of the Bowling Green community. Join us again this year to share in the delicious lasagna lunch, arts and crafts, and fun!
-submitted by State Street United Methodist Church