Our Savior Lutheran’s Church History

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Our Savior’s was created by the merging of two churches; Trinity and Bethlehem. Trinity Lutheran was built in 1897 with free lumber from a condemned building.
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Education unit was built, which is where our offices and the clothes closet is located today. A mortgage burning ceremony was held in January 1959.
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The old personage was moved and there was a groundbreaking ceremony for a new sanctuary. On May 5, 1963 there was a dedication of the new sanctuary.
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Lois Pederson was a parish visitor. She was a Superior native who was a missionary in Japan. Some artwork that was given to OSLC from her can be found hanging in the church today.
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A new addition and some remodeling. In 2005 St. Paul’s joins OSLC due to low attendance.

Our Heritage

1896 — Bethlehem Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church formed. Pastor Arvid Hoorn.

1897 — Trinity Lutheran Church formed with eleven charter members. Pastor Os and Johnson.

1951 — Bethlehem Trinity churches voted to merge. New name chosen for congregation was Our Savior’s Lutheran. Members worshiped in the church, Pastor T, M. Nelson.

1957 — Educational wing building project completed at current site. Two hundred forty-five children attended Sunday School in shifts!

1963 — New Our Savior’s worship center built on current site. Pastor Obed Anderson.

1988 — Stained glass window project completed in sanctuary.

2001 — St. Paul Lutheran church joins Our Savior’s. Pastor Robert Stoskopf.

2002 — Building campaign begins for addition to our worship center with ‘Accessibility, Hospitality and Community” as our focus.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church History

1896 — Bethlehem Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church was built.

1897 — Trinity Lutheran was built.

1951 — Our Savior’s was created by merging of Trinity and Bethlehem. The new name chosen for the congregation was Our Savior’s Lutheran. Members worshiped in the Bethlehem Church.

1957 — Education wing building project completed at current site.

1959 — Mortgage burning ceremony was held.

1962 — Old personage was moved and ground breaking ceremony for the new sanctuary.

1963 — New sanctuary dedicated May 5th.

1976 — Lois Pederson, Superior native/parish visitor, serving as a missionary in Japan gave OSLC artworks they can be seen hanging in the church today.

1982 — Organ dedication, dedicated to the honor of god in honor of Lillian Christopher (church organist for 56 years). The Christopher Lounge is named for Lillian.

1988 — Stained glass window project in the sanctuary— 12 windows depicting the events In the Life of Our Savior are told. Dedicated May 1990.

2001 — St. Paul’s Lutheran Church joined Our Savior’s (25 families) bringing the total congregation to 335 families.

2002 — Started capital campaign to provide Accessibility (covered entrance, elevator, restroorn access, Hospitality, larger narthex, new nursery room, St. Paul’s room. Community, additional office space, community meetings.

2003 — Billings Park Community Center was OSLC worship space for the Summer during construction of the up-dated church.

2004 — Dedication of the up-dated Church.

OSLC Pastors Years of Service

1947 — 1952 C.E. Ringhand

1952 — 1958 Ted Nelson

1958 — 1965 Obed Anderson

1966 — 1972 Gib Lee

1972 — 1978 Arlen Hermodson

1979 — 1989 George Schwantes

Interim Cliff Dirkson

1989 — 1996 Lynne Silva-Breen

1996 — 2002 Interim Bob Stoskopf

2002 — 2007 Todd Iverson

Interim Lee Bolman

2008 — 2018 Sarah Kerkes

2018 — 2019 Interim Dennis Paulson

2020 – Sean Koos