A Timeline of Our Story

• June 6, 1909 - The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer officially chartered. Reverend John Zundel was its first pastor and services were held in Scandia Republican Club Hall.

• March 20, 1910 - First confirmation class was nine members.

• December 1910 - Congregation buys Methodist Church at Irving & Glenwood for $2000.

• July 9, 1911 - Reverend Carroll J. Rockey became Pastor after death of Reverend Zundel.

• January 1920 - Reverend J. Franklin Marlatte became Pastor for 43 years until his death on Feb. 8, 1963.

• June 1920 - 419 Newton Avenue North property was purchased for parsonage.

• April 21, 1929 - Present church building dedicated.

• December 1948 - Installation of stained-glass windows completed.

• June 1963 - Reverend Michael D. Furney called as Pastor, serving until November 1977.

• May 22, 1966 - Marlatte Parish Education Unit completed and dedicated.

• Fall 1977 - Interim Pastor Reverend Carl Sunwall  served until fall of 1978.

• October 1, 1978 - Reverend John R. Bohnsack is Redeemer's 5th Pastor until December 1988.

• June 14, 1982 - KARS program for children elementary through teenage years begins.

• January 1989 - Interim Pastor Reverend Keith Olstad served until summer of 1990.

• September 1990 - Reverend Tyrone Partee called as Pastor, serving until 1995.

• August 1991 - Assistant Pastor Reverend Susanne Ferkey until August 1992.

• Summer 1995 - Interim Pastor Reverend Phil Anderson takes over until fall of 1996.

• February 1, 1997 - Reverend Steve Lomen called as Pastor of Redeemer.

• September 1997 - Congregation approved the Redeemer Center for Life (RCFL),  a separate corporation from Redeemer formed to serve the needs of Harrison Neighborhood.

• March 1999 - Congregation voted to sell upper parking lot to RCFL to build Milda's Corner.

• 2000 - Reverend Beverly Wallace becomes assistant Pastor until fall of 2001.

• June 2001 - Reverend Kelly Chatman becomes Redeemer's 8th Pastor. Pastor Steve Lomen becomes Executive Director of RCFL.

• December 2001 - Grand opening of the original Peace Palace.

• June 2002 - Pastor Kelly Chatman becomes Executive Director of RCFL and retains position as Pastor of Redeemer.

• 2003 - Reverend Jeff Nehrbass begins serving as Assistant Pastor until 2006.

• 2005 - Peace Palace is moved across Morgan Avenue to RCFL property.

• 2008 - Marilu Thomas becomes Executive Director of RCFL. Pastor Chatman continues to serve as Pastor of Redeemer.

• 2009 - Redeemer Lutheran Church and RCFL begin a campaign to develop the entire surrounding block and hold joint visioning sessions throughout the spring.

• June 7, 2009 - Redeemer celebrates 100 years with a worship service and an open house. A Capital Campaign is launched to raise $300,000 over three years to help replace the church roof and make other building improvements.

• February 2020 - Pastor Kelly Chatman retired from both Redeemer Lutheran Church and Redeemer Center for Life.

• February 2020 - August 2022 - With the leadership and wisdom of interim pastor Rev. Dr. Sharon Kelly and bridge pastor Rev. Peter Samuelson, Redeemer congregation discerns and re-imagines its values, vision, and mission for the future in Harrison neighborhood.

• June 2020 - Veronica Hawman installed as Executive Director of Redeemer Center for Life

• August 15, 2022 - Reverend Jen Collins called as pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church

• February 2023 - Leon Dixon, Jr. installed as Executive Director of Redeemer Center for Life