A Brief History of Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo, ND

1926  A group of women concerned about religious training for children contacted Concordia College. Faculty member, Rev. Walter Johnshoy organized a Sunday School.
1927  The Ladies Aide was organized by Rev. J.M. Moe, Concordia Faculty.
1935  Faith Lutheran was organized with 95 charter members in October with Rev. Johnshoy as pastor. First services were held at North School.
1936  Church site purchased and a temporary chapel was moved in and remodeled.
1940  Church basement was erected with dedication in October.
1945  Full-time pastor called.
1948  Faith became self-supporting.
1949  Parsonage was built by volunteer labor and ready in May.
1952 Sanctuary dedicated November 23rd. Most of the labor was volunteer.
1961  Education Unit was dedicated in November.
1979 The Lutheran Book of Worship was introduced and Bell Choirs were organized.
1980  West Fargo Interdenominational Lenten Luncheons began (and continue).
1982 Saturday evening worship services began.
1988 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was organized and became the new parent body of Faith Lutheran Church. Refurbishing of church completed.
1989  Worship was televised on Harmon Cable.
1990  Purchase of additional lots for a new sanctuary. Pastoral ministry of Pastor Peter Schmidt and Pastor Steven Thompson began.
1994 Groundbreaking for new sanctuary on Rally Day in September.
1995  Faith Outdoors began in June. First service in new Worship Center on Rally Day.
1996  Dedication of Worship Center was held in April, with Bishop Rick Foss presiding.
1997 Outdoor worship stage built by King's Men, all volunteer labor. New weekday model for Christian Education began with Grades 5 through 9 meeting Wednesdays. Confirmation program expanded to include grades 7, 8, & 9.
2000 Went online via the Internet with www.growinfaith.org.
2000 Committee was formed to explore move toward a new Christian Education model combining worship and education in a large group, intergenerational format.  Pastor Thompson gave extensive input to group based on a one month sabbatical study evaluating this new concept.
2001 Boston Grand Piano was gifted to church.
2001 Members voted in April to move forward on a Total Life Center multi-purpose facility. 
2001 Restructured Christian Education from formal, small group classrooms to large group family-involved education.
2001 Johannus digital organ was purchased for Worship Center with proceeds from a special fund drive.
2002 5:00 Saturday worship, currently held in the old Sanctuary, was moved to new Worship Center.
2002 Feasibility committee was formed to review the current Total Life Center plan.
2003 Total Life Center Feasibility Committee recommends exploration of an off-site multi-purpose TLC facility.  Congregation voted to approve this recommendation.
2003 Congregation received donation of commercial real estate located on Sheyenne Street valued at approx $308,000.  Property was remodeled and updated, using primarily volunteer labor, so as to be available for rental income.
2004 Added Wednesday evening 'Growing in Faith Together' (GIFT) - education for ages preschool through grade 6 and families.  Sunday GIFT continues in addition to Wednesdays.
2005 In partnership with the synod and the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit, congregation applied for and received a grant to assist in implementing our ministry plan and program to carry out God's mission in our community.  Grant of $60,000 will be received over a 24 month period covering 3 calendar years, beginning in 2006.
2005 Sheyenne Street property was sold.  Mortgage balance of $473,500 on existing Worship Center was paid in full with portion of sale proceeds and designated funds from previous capital campaigns.
2007 Pastor Richard Kramer began his call as Associate Pastor on January 1.
2007 Began using Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnals
2007 After years of hard work and dedication, Land Purchase Committee found 10 acres of land for a multi-purpose facility on 40th Ave South in West Fargo near new Sheynne Ninth Grade Center.  Congregation approved purchase of the land on May 20.  Land purchase documents signed June 18. 
2007 Stained Glass Windows above altar area, in addition to new shelf and Cross were installed.
2007 'Prayer Garden' was created in courtyard with funds reserved from Sheyenne Property sale and much volunteer labor.
2007 Pastor Judy Holmen began her call as Associate Pastor/Mission Developer on July 17.

 

Installed Pastors from 1935:
1935-1944    Rev. Johnshoy (part-time)
1945-1948    Rev. Erling Erickson (1st full-time pastor)
1948-1952    Rev. Eugene Fevold
1952-1959    Rev. Hans Thoreson
1959-1962    Rev. Ralph Rusley
1962-1972    Rev. Fridrichs Kramins
1971-1977    Rev. James Boyd (1st full-time Pastor of Education)
1973-1989    Rev. T. Ansgar Rykken (Senior Pastor)
1977-1989    Rev. Roger Domyahn (Pastor of Education)
1977-1981    Rev. Brian Erickson (1st full-time Pastor of Youth)
1982-1989    Rev. Lloyd Heroff (Pastor of Youth)
1990-2005    Rev. Steven Thompson (Associate Pastor)                                                                                                       

Currently Serving:
1990- Rev. Peter Schmidt (Senior Pastor)
2007- Rev. Richard Kramer (Associate Pastor)
2007- Rev. Judy Holmen (Associate Pastor/Mission Developer)
                                                                                                                 

CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Parish Planning Council consists of:
    President
    Three Vice-Presidents
    Treasurer
    Secretary
    Director of each of the Administrative Boards
    Pastors

Nine Administrative Boards:
    Education
    Evangelism
    Lay Ministry
    Nominating
    Property
    Social Ministry
    Stewardship
    Worship
    Youth