History Of Lord of Life Lutheran Church
North Pole Alaska
The work of the American Lutheran Church, now the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America located in North Pole, Alaska, began
in the summer of 1975 when Reverend Lowell Stime arrived to organize
the new congregation. From a meeting of interested persons held
May 13th at the North Pole Public Library a task force was formed
to give direction to the new ministry. The first worship service
was June 15th at the North Pole Elementary School. The congregation
was officially organized and incorporated as Lord of Life Lutheran
Church on October 26th, at the morning worship service. Charter
membership at the end of 1975 was 92 baptized members. Property
was acquired and a church was built. Three hundred people attended
the dedication of the new sanctuary on October 30, 1977 with Bishop
C. Solberg officiating.
Lord of Life Lutheran Church serves the North Pole area, Two Rivers,
Moose Creek Salcha and the Eielson Air Force Base. We have grown
to over 300 baptized members with many active Associate members
and non-members. Lord of Life Lutheran's congregation is the gathering
of believers around the Word of God and the Sacraments in order
to discover, affirm, deepen and strengthen our faith in Jesus
Christ as Lord and Savior equipping us to witness to that faith.
Our first 25 years have been a true blessing. Many people have
touched our congregation over the years and we hope that we have
touched them through the ministry of the Lord of Life Lutheran
Church.
As we continue to grow and fulfill our mission statement, it became
evident that changes were needed in the building. A lift and remodeled
restroom facilities have been installed making Lord of Life Lutheran
Church handicap accessible. To increase our Sunday school space,
plans to remodel the sub-basement have been drawn. The construction
in tentatively scheduled for the spring-summer of 2000.
Lord of Life Lutheran Church is a direct result of the United
Mission Appeal. Having freely received of God's grace through
His people, we now, through God's grace, spread the ministry of
God. We serve the Lord of Life.
In the past 25 years, Lord of Life Lutheran Church congregation
has been blessed with God's enlightenment through the Christian
Leadership of our Pastor and Interim Pastors.
Reverend Lowell Stime.......1st Pastor.......1975-1980
Reverend Eldon Lyso..........Interim Pastor..........1980-1981
Reverend Paul Daniel.........2nd Pastor.......1981-1988
Reverend Richard Noeldner..........Interim Pastor.........1988
Reverend John Voelker.........3rd Pastor........1988-1993
Reverend Robert Swope..........Interim Pastor.......1993
Reverend Jon Gilberts.......Interim Pastor.......1993
Reverend Ed Baltzeren........Interim Pastor.......1994
Reverend Shelly Wickstrom.............4th Pastor........1994-1997
Reverend Dick Thompson......Interim Pastor...........1997-1998
Reverend Ed Baltzeren........Interim Pastor.......1998
Reverend Kathrin Radach............5th Pastor.......1998-Present |
