Saint Michael Lutheran Church History

The History of Saint Michael Lutheran Church

Saint Michael Lutheran Church was a new mission start of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) in 1980. The first worship service was held on September 21, 1980 in a storefront rental space in what is now the Blondo 120 Mall. The mission developer and first pastor was Pastor David Zellmer.

By the time of the Charter Service on Palm Sunday, April 12, 1981, a larger space was necessary, and we moved to a larger storefront nearby. That day, 161 adults and children became Charter members of Saint Michael. We had one Worship service at that time. We now celebrate Worship with three vibrant services each weekend.

A permanent worship facility on property, previously purchased by the LCA for the new mission start at 132nd and Blondo Streets, was dedicated on Palm Sunday, March 31, 1985. Subsequent major additions to the facility were the Fellowship Hall dedicated in 1992, a new Worship Center dedicated in 2002, the Bronstad Youth and Learning Center, under the Worship Center, dedicated in 2008 and an Education/Music/Youth Addition dedicated on January 29, 2012.

Pastor Zellmer remained as pastor of Saint Michael until December 31, 1987. On January 1, 1988, Saint Michael, became a member of the newly formed Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Pastor David Bronstad was called and officiated his first worship service on October 30, 1988 and was installed on December 4 of that year.

Saint Michael installed Pastor Donna Durette as Associate Pastor on May 31, 1992. Pastor Durette served until September 30, 1997. The next associate pastor, Al Duminy, was installed on February 29 of 2004 and remained at Saint Michael until 2013.

The congregation was saddened on October 1, 2007 when Pastor Bronstad died of complications from prostate cancer, after serving as senior pastor for almost 20 years. In June of 2009, Saint Michael issued a call to Pastor Mark Grorud to serve as senior pastor. He was installed on August 29 of that year.

Pastor Mark Grorud was called to serve at Immanuel Village in April 2015. A call was then issued to Pastor Tim Koester in March 2016. Pastor Tim is excited for the direction God leads Saint Michael.

Saint Michael Lutheran Church currently has a membership of over 1,000 and continues to grow. We employ a staff and membership who work well together to carry out God’s ministry in this place. Our facilities master plan, with a few smaller segments yet to be completed, will meet the congregation’s needs for years to come.

Calendar

March 13, 2024

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