|
The History of LCOS |
|
For many years requests were received during the summer months for Lutheran Church services in the Rehoboth Beach area. In 1950 a group of people, including present congregation members, Eleanor Kardash, who played the piano, Agnes Nero, who taught Sunday School, and Mike Kardash, who was “The Mover of the Chairs” as well as other things, started services. Many guest pastors preached during that time. Services were held at the Community Center (later the Thunderbird shop) and the American Legion Hall. The last summer that guest Pastors preached was 1959. A decision was made to make a call for a pastor for year round services. The Reverend George Peterson answered the call. The average winter service was 25 and the summer services swelled to 100. The Lutheran Church of Our Savior was formally organized in 1961. Services were held in the VIA Hall on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach. 1962 brought the Seven Million Dollar Storm and services were interrupted. Until the building was repaired, services were held at the Avenue Theatre, Parish Hall of the Episcopal Church and the American Legion. After Pastor Peterson accepted a call to North Carolina in 1962, the congregation was served by various pastors until the Reverend Otto Spurgat accepted the call to become a part time pastor in 1979. A committee, with the future in mind, made it possible for our congregation to purchase three acres of land in Rehoboth Beach in 1980 for $30,000. Imagine what the land would cost today? 1982 was an exciting year for our congregation as the first stage of our church was built by 25 families for $143,600. The original part of the building consisted of the Sanctuary area, a pastor’s office, kitchen, Sacristy, two bathrooms, and a small Narthex. In 1983 a friend donated the Parish House next to the church which is used to house guest pastors. The Reverend Gerald Howland was installed in 1986 as a full time pastor of The Lutheran Church of Our Savior. 1990 brought the Reverend Thomas H. Carlson who served for two years as an interim pastor while the congregation went though the call process. The Reverend Edwin W. Thress accepted the call and was installed in 1993. The original building of our church was rearranged and enlarged in 1995. This was done with the help of Laborers for Christ, a wonderful group of Christians from all over the country who spend their retirement years helping churches with building programs. In 1996 the interior of the expansion was completed by our own members. It is estimated that over 10,000 hours were put in by the Laborers for Christ and our church members. The Reverend Donald Schaefer accepted the call and became pastor of The Lutheran Church of Our Savior in 2000. Our congregation has grown, and in 2005 an Education Building which houses our preschool and kindergarten (established in 2003), Sunday school, library, and meetings was completed. The congregation has voted for further expansion which will be completed in stages. Our activities and outreach continue to grow. The English as a second language (ESL) program, Crossways Bible Study, music program, Sunday school, Sand Dollars, and Bible Study classes are some of our programs.
May we continue to be so blessed. |