Brief History of Grace Lutheran Church

1928-31

First services of Grace Lutheran held above Shraibergs’ store, later known as Mahowlds.

1928

Women’s Guild organized. Members began to stock kitchen with ten dozen forks and ten dozen teaspoons.

November 29, 1931

Church building located at corner of First Street and Prairie Avenue dedicated. The charter membership of 98 had grown to 173.

1938

Boy Scout Troop 56 formed with 13 scouts, two leaders and six committeemen.

1946

Purchase of an electric Hammond organ.

1946

A part of the Women’s Guild, Grace has 14 circles named after women of the Bible.

July 2, 1950

Dedication of current building located at ‘Grant and Webster Streets. Membership was 1,264.

1950

Women’s Guild name changed to Women’s Missionary Society

May 4, 1952

Dedication and recital of new Schantz pipe organ.

May 8, 1952

Dedication of stained glass window above the altar.

1953

The Sunday School had 300 pupils taught by a staff of 29 teachers.

1956

The Victoria Street parsonage completed.

1957

Women’s Missionary Society votes to change name to Grace Lutheran Church Women.

April 7, 1963

Radio ministry aired over KSUM.

September 20, 1964

Dedication of Parish Education wing.

1969

The Ways of Grace newsletter began prepared by the Rebecca Circle.

1971

Land was purchased for a parking lot to be located on the west side of the building.

1972

New entrance on west side made it possible to enter church from the parking lot.

1974

Bethel Bible Series became part of adult education.

1974

Parsonages on Day Street and Victoria Street sold when congregation voted to approve concept of a housing allowance for pastors.

1975

Membership was 1,800.

1975

Members Neil and Alice Nickerson and Marv and Marcia Lindset enter the mission field in Liberia, Uganda, and Tanzania.

1975

Grace and Growth Fund established.

1976

Tower bell installed.

1977

Mission committee organized and began support of a line of missionaries.

1978

First apple pie bake held to support mission projects.

1980

Schantz 3 manual, 35 rank organ, complete with 1980 pipes dedicated.

1985

Saturday “Holden Evening Prayer” service began with worship services being held in the chapel.

1986

“Open Door” concept for Wednesday after school activities and a meal began.

1987

Men’s Bible Study formed.

1988

G.L.C.W. name changed to Women of Grace.

1992

Building For the Next Century fund raiser for an elevator and building remodeling established.

1995

New sound system installed.

1995

Children’s sermons became a regular part of Sunday worship.

1996

Contemporary worship service began at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays.

1997

Church web site launched.

1999

Open door meal expanded to offer a Wednesday night meal from September through May.

1999

Endowment fund established.

2000

Grace Lutheran opens food shelf.

2001

Grace members participated in Chain of Lakes 24 Hour Relay to benefit youth and multi-generational projects.

2001

Positions of church manager and Director of Music created.

2002

During 2002-2003, the women of the church sewed and tied about 300 quilts, donated to Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Social Services.

2003

Our congregation has grown to 2,1333 members with 365 enrolled in Sunday School. We worship at 3 weekly services and midweek during Advent and Lent

2004

Moving Forward With Grace Funs established to assist in building renovation and to expand the ministry staff. Sound technician hired to update and maintain sound system.

2005

Our membership stands at 2,239 with the addition of new members. Staff positions are being realigned to best fit the needs of Grace Lutheran. The Church Council adopted the Upward and Outward Ministry model of ministry highlighting 5 areas of ministry: worship, discipleship, fellowship, trusteeship, and outreach.