A Brief Timeline of the History of Nativity Lutheran Church
Aug 30, 1952 Original charter signed by 65 people at Harrison School
Dec 7, 1952 Nativity officially recognized as a mission congregation of the United Lutheran Church in America
1953 Pr. Burton Schroeder, 1st pastor, installed. House chapel & parsonage purchased
1954 Two Sunday worship services begin. First Vacation Bible School held.
1957 Land purchased at 3506 E. Wonder Lake Road
1959 Groundbreaking at new site, construction started, cornerstone laid.
July 17, 1960 Congregation has processional from house church to new church building.
1961 Pr. Schroeder takes a call in Portland, OR. Pr. Warren Thummel called & installed
1962 United Lutheran Church in America merges to form the Lutheran Church in America
1964 Pr. Thummel leaves. Pr. Thomas Johnson called.
1968 Pr. Johnson leaves. Pr. David Allin called.
1970 Disastrous fire destroys pastor’s office, conference room, and severely damages rest of church building. Church renovated by Ben Arvidson & Sons and congregation members. Pr. Allin leaves congregation, succeeded by Pr. D.V. Charlson as Interim.
1971 Pr. Roger Olson of Centralia called. Cross installed and dedicated on front lawn.
1974 Nativity repays original loan to Board of American Missions and receives full congregation status
1977 Nativity’s 25th Anniversary
1978 Pr. Olson and leaders trained in the Bethel Bible study program, classes taught from 1981-1995
1979 Congregation begins use of the Lutheran Book of Worship hymnal.
1987 The Lutheran Church in America merges to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Parsonage at Howe Road sold. Organ purchased and dedicated.
1988 Church expansion committee formed to enlarge narthex, add education rooms, a storage facility, and a southern entrance.
April 22, 1990 Dedication of new church addition.
1994 Pr. Olson retires. Pr. Giuseppe Mattei succeeds as Interim Pastor. Ministry Teams created to structure faith life and ministry at Nativity.
1995 Pr. Mattei resigns as Interim. Pr. Mark Knappe called and installed.
1997 New constitution and by-laws accepted by congregation and adopted.
2000 Council proposed and congregation approved change from 2 worship services to one held at 9:00 am. All ministry team meeting “Ministry Night” followed by Compline begins. Capital improvement appeal “Renewing for Christ” begins 3 year building renewal
2001 Pr. Knappe receives call to Menomonee Falls, WI. Pr. Gary Blobaum succeeds as Interim Pastor.
2002 Pr. Rebecca Gordon called and installed as pastor. 50th Anniversary celebration.
2004 Nativity begins Together in Mission Engagement (TIME) 18-month mission planning process led by the Synod ending in 2006 with Nativity identifying “Growing in Faith, Living in God’s Love!” as mission statement with 8 mission goals centered on education.
2005 Building renewal projects continue with small capital improvement loan from Thrivent
June 1, 2006 First official meeting of new Wonder Lake Neighbors Food Pantry Board comprised of members from Nativity, the WL Bible Church, and Christ the King. Sue Palos hired as Food Pantry Coordinator
Nov 6, 2006 Blessing & Dedication of Outdoor Prayer Labyrinth constructed by Disciple Formation class
2007 Congregation begins use of new Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal. Committee for Sanctuary Renewal formed.
June 2008 Pastor Rebecca Gordon resigns.
August 2008 Interim Pastor Sarah Wilson begins.
January 2009 Nativity defines its Values, Mission and Vision and creates its one-year, three-year and five-year goals
“Growing in Faith, Reaching Out in God’s Love!”