Faith Lutheran Church

HISTORY OF FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH

The creation of Faith Lutheran Church is an event of some interest, particularly when one stops to consider that the church merger which occurred in the little town of Spicer preceded a national church merger by 25 years. The story might read something like this:

At one time there were two Lutheran churches on the property now occupied by Faith Lutheran: Sharon Lutheran a Swedish congregation organized in 1906, built from blocks made with Green Lake sand, and located on the site of the present sanctuary. (One might find it interesting to note that the pastor's salary in 1907 was $150 per year, plus a Christmas offering.)

Across Harriet street, to the north, was Zion Lutheran Church, a Norwegian congregation, founded in 1906, with its cornerstone being laid in a remolded bank building. (Here, too, the pastor's salary was meager in those early years. But the Norwegians, perhaps only to be different from the Swedes, supplemented their pastor's salary with produce, "brought in" by the parishioners.)

Both congregations were small, and after much talk and consideration it was decided to join together. On July 18, 1962, the councils of both congregations met and voted on a merger, and Faith Lutheran was born on June 14, 1963. Both pastors resigned and Pastor Ronald Golberg was called to serve the congregation.

It was then decided to tear down both buildings and build a new one. Harriet street, which ran between the two churches, was vacated. Sharon Lutheran was torn down on December 2, 1966, and ground breaking for the new facility was held on December 4, 1966.

On August 20, 1967 worshippers gathered one last time in the Zion Church building. From there they processed to the new church to worship. The Zion property became part of the fellowship hall and a hallway, with offices and Sunday School rooms, connected it to the sanctuary.

Today Faith Lutheran has a baptized membership of 1300. As a church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Faith Lutheran seeks to welcome the community to rejoice and grow in serving the Lord.

Faith Lutheran also shares a unique relationship with Green Lake Lutheran Ministries and the people who come to enjoy the Spicer area. During the summer months three worship services are held at the Green Lake Bible Camp Chapel and one at Faith Lutheran Church.

After 30 plus years on Lake Avenue, Faith Lutheran outgrew its facility. In April of 2001 groundbreaking was held for a new church located on the North End of Spicer, slightly west of Highway 23. In 2007, Phase II of the new church was begun.

Pastors who have served Faith Lutheran include: Ronald Golberg (1963-1967), Rollen Halvorson (1967-1977), Dennis Raymond (1977-1991), Diane Pederson (1981-1988), Kathryn and Mark Vitalis-Hoffman (1988-1992), Paul Idstrom (1992-1999), Scott Gjevre (1994-2003), Simon Fensom (2000-present) and Matt Peterson (2004-present).