“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” This command embodies the spirit of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church. Founded in 1899, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church began with just 14 dedicated individuals. They gathered in the Faith Alliance Hall. They sought to establish a place of worship and community.
Imagine a brush arbor. It served as their first worship space during the summer of 1899. It offered shade and a sense of unity. Soon, a 28×50 church building arose. Mr. DA Wiley donated the land. He built the altar, lectern, and pulpit. His generosity shaped the physical heart of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The cornerstone was laid on February 17, 1900. Rev. CB Miller officiated the ceremony. The original church building was dedicated on October 5, 1902. These milestones marked significant progress for the growing congregation.
During Rev. Clifford Paul Fisher’s leadership from 1903 to 1918, Faith Lutheran thrived. It joined with Emmanuel Church. A parsonage was built in 1905 to serve both congregations. In 1939, records show that Faith Lutheran had approximately 600 attendants in Sunday School. Average worship attendance reached 400.
Faith Lutheran became self-sustaining in 1919. A building fund started in 1935. The initial offering was a humble $29.60. The old church served until 1947. It was respectfully demolished in 1948. The congregation worshipped at Faith Public School. Funerals were held at Shiloh Evangelical Reformed Church.
The basement of the new church was completed on July 6, 1950. The first service was held on February 11, 1951. The total cost was about $200000. In 1959, a new parsonage was constructed.
In 2012, the church joined the North American Lutheran Church. This aligned Faith Lutheran with a broader network of congregations. The church shares core values. These values include being Christ-centered, mission-driven, traditionally-grounded, and congregationally-focused.
The Family Life Center was constructed in the early 21st century. It cost $1900529.23. The debt was retired by December 24, 2017. A formal mortgage burning and rededication occurred in February 2018.
Today, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church continues its mission. It focuses on making disciples and spreading the Gospel. The church embraces its history and looks forward. It provides resources, connections, and information. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church stands as a beacon of faith. It is deeply rooted in its community.