History

The following is a mere framework of 35 years of God’s Ministry at the corner of Curry and Gomer. Perhaps specific dates will call forth memories of certain events. Perhaps those memories will elicit faces in the scrapbook of the mind – faces of people who helped forge the shape of ministry at Grace and are responsible, in ways large and small, for the way we look today.

In February of 1964, Pastor Albert Haversat begins his work as a Mission Developer in Jefferson Valley, for the Lutheran Church in America. The first worship service is held on September 13, 1964 in a Jefferson Valley store, next to what is now the Post Office. Charter Sunday was observed November 16, 1964.

On February 27, 1965 the congregation is officially organized.

On September 10, 1967 the groundbreaking for the present building was held. Dedication service for the new church was held on June 2, 1968.

Pastor Haversat’s last Sunday at Grace was on October 13, 1968. Pastor Jeffrey Burnoski began his ministry at Grace on July 1, 1969. Pastor Ronald Gadde began his ministry at Grace on December 1, 1972. Pastor Timothy Kennedy began his ministry at Grace on January 8, 1978.

On October 3,1982 groundbreaking for expanded chancel and fellowship hall was held. The dedication service for the expanded facilities was held on May 1, 1983.

On January 1, 1988 Grace became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Pastor Havesat joins us for the celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of Grace in February 1990.

With the help of Grace, Pastor Kennedy receives his Doctor of Ministry from the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia in May 1990.

In September 1995 Grace begins an Intern Program, Vicar Pam Wellons installed as our first vicar for a one year term. Member, Dori Bretscher, purchases a house as a gift to Grace that shall be used as a vicarage.

On September 8, 1996 Grace burned their mortgage! Vicar Owen Griffiths installed for one year term as our second vicar.

In March 1997 while working with Kairos and Associates, Grace began Fund Raising Appeal for the purpose of expanding our present facility and programs.

On October 29, 2000 Grace held a Groundbreaking Liturgy where the young people of Grace were the groundbreakers for the new educational wing. The theme for the day was We Dig Grace!

On December 2, 2001 a thanksgiving and dedication service was held for our new education wing, upper parking lot, expanded fellowship hall, kitchen and administration wing. Pastor Marv Henk and Pastor Chris Mietlowski participated in the service.

In September 2002 the Grace Lutheran Preschool was founded.

On September 15, 2002 a dedication service was held for the new Memorial Garden.

founded Sept. 2002

On January 19, 2003 Bishop Stephen Bouman precided in honor of Pastor Kennedy's 25th Anniversary on ministering us at Grace.

In January 2003 while working with Cargill Associates, Grace began Fund Raising Appeal for the purpose of expanding our sanctuary.

On July 1, 2003 the sanctuary was demolished. Worship was held in the Fellowship Hall.

On December 21, 2003 first worship service was held in the new sanctuary.

On January 11, 2004 a thanksgiving and dedication service was held for the new sanctuary. The Rev. Dr. Richard Pankow was the preacher.

On December 5, 2004 Bishop Stephen Bouman precided in honor of the 40th Anniversary of Grace Lutheran Church... Click here to view pictures.

In January 2006 Grace entered its fourth and final Capital Funds campaign with the hopes of paying off the mortgage within three years. The theme of the campaign was Blessed by Grace To be a Blessing.

September 21, 2006 the steeple was placed on the new sanctuary. Click here to view the pictures.




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History The following is a mere framework of 35 years of God’s Ministry at the corner of Curry and Gomer. Perhaps specific dates will call forth memories of certain events. Perhaps those memories will elicit faces in the scrapbook of the mind – faces of people who helped forge the shape of ministry at Grace and are responsible, in ways large and small, for the way we look today. In *February of 1964, Pastor Albert Haversat* begins his work as a Mission Developer in Jefferson Valley, for the Lutheran Church in America. The first worship service is held on September 13, 1964 in a Jefferson Valley store, next to what is now the Post Office. Charter Sunday was observed November 16, 1964. On February 27, 1965 the congregation is officially organized. On September 10, 1967 the groundbreaking for the present building was held. Dedication service for the new church was held on June 2, 1968. Pastor Haversat’s last Sunday at Grace was on October 13, 1968. *Pastor Jeffrey Burnoski* began his ministry at Grace on July 1, 1969. *Pastor Ronald Gadde* began his ministry at Grace on December 1, 1972. *Pastor Timothy Kennedy* began his ministry at Grace on January 8, 1978. On October 3,1982 groundbreaking for expanded chancel and fellowship hall was held. The dedication service for the expanded facilities was held on May 1, 1983. On January 1, 1988 Grace became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pastor Havesat joins us for the celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of Grace in February 1990. With the help of Grace, *Pastor Kennedy* receives his Doctor of Ministry from the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia in May 1990. In September 1995 Grace begins an Intern Program, *Vicar Pam Wellons* installed as our first vicar for a one year term. Member, *Dori Bretscher, purchases a house as a gift to Grace that shall be used as a vicarage. On September 8, 1996* Grace burned their mortgage! *Vicar Owen Griffiths* installed for one year term as our second vicar. In March 1997 while working with Kairos and Associates, Grace began Fund Raising Appeal for the purpose of expanding our present facility and programs. On October 29, 2000 Grace held a Groundbreaking Liturgy where the young people of Grace were the groundbreakers for the new educational wing. The theme for the day was *We Dig Grace!* On December 2, 2001 a thanksgiving and dedication service was held for our new education wing, upper parking lot, expanded fellowship hall, kitchen and administration wing. *Pastor Marv Henk* and Pastor Chris Mietlowski participated in the service. In September 2002 the Grace Lutheran Preschool was founded. On September 15, 2002 a dedication service was held for the new Memorial Garden. founded Sept. 2002 On January 19, 2003 Bishop Stephen Bouman precided in honor of Pastor Kennedy's 25th Anniversary on ministering us at Grace. In January 2003 while working with Cargill Associates, Grace began Fund Raising Appeal for the purpose of expanding our sanctuary. On July 1, 2003 the sanctuary was demolished. Worship was held in the Fellowship Hall. On December 21, 2003 first worship service was held in the new sanctuary. Putting up the steel beams Putting up the firewall and frame Completing the inside On January 11, 2004 a thanksgiving and dedication service was held for the new sanctuary. *The Rev. Dr. Richard Pankow* was the preacher. On December 5, 2004 Bishop Stephen Bouman precided in honor of the 40th Anniversary of Grace Lutheran Church... Click here to view pictures. In January 2006 Grace entered its fourth and final Capital Funds campaign with the hopes of paying off the mortgage within three years. The theme of the campaign was Blessed by Grace To be a Blessing. September 21, 2006 the steeple was placed on the new sanctuary. Click here to view the pictures.