By JIM LANGHAM

Feature Writer

PAYNE – It’s been 15 years since Pastor Mike Smith, then pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Payne, and other area youth leaders came up with the idea of community center in the village to serve youth as a place to gather, Youth for Christ meetings, church youth group gatherings and other area youth activities.

Within a short time, the Payne Community Center (also known as The Rock), which is located on the west side of Main Street, just south of the Payne Branch Library, also became a place of worship rented by Living Waters Church. Since then, Living Waters has moved on to another location and the facility has expanded its vision to a town community center, open to area youth and also for rental and use by groups of all ages. Many in the Payne area now use the facility for family reunions, special meetings and, recently, even a wedding reception.