NORTHLAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH

A Brief History

On Sunday, December 11, 1960, the Northlake Lutheran Church was officially organized and affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church Synod (to become the American Lutheran Church and later, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).  God had answered the prayers of the faithful, and under the dedicated leadership of Pastor Martin Eidbo, his wife, Ruth, and a lay worker, a congregation of one hundred and fifty-three disciples prepared to do the work of the Lord. 

 The dedication and consecration of the first phase of building was on September 10, 1961.  During the next nine years, the congregation continued to serve faithfully its members and the Kenmore community.  In the spring of 1970, Pastor Eidbo resigned.  Interim pastors served until May 9, 1971, when Pastor LeRoy Anenson was installed. 

Over the years Sunday School classes were held in the Fellowship Hall.  Drapes were installed on each of the beams  — these were pulled to make partitions for the individual classes. In the 70s, about 75 children regularly attended Sunday School.

To alleviate the space problems, the Education Wing building project took place in 1979-80, adding classrooms, a library, a youth room, a nursery, and restrooms on both levels.  This structure was dedicated on March 19, 1980. 

Staff was added at various times in the form of part-time Visitation Pastors, and there was a full-time Associate Pastor for two years in the 80s.  Part-time office help was added in 1979. Northlake added a Youth Director as a full-time position in the 80s, and this staffing has continued to the present.  Over the life of the congregation, the church has been served by  talented musicians in the form of organists and choir directors. 

Pastor Anenson retired after serving for eighteen years.  An   interim pastor was here for almost a year, and then Pastor  Wm. Chris Boerger was installed on April 1, 1990.  

The third building project came in late 1994, with completion and dedication on September 10, 1995, by coincidence the same month and day that the original building was dedicated.  This project added a new entrance and narthex, an expanded sanctuary, an office wing, a choir rehearsal room, a large classroom and storage space.

Pastor Boerger resigned in 2001 after being elected Bishop of the NW Washington Synod.  An interim served until November 1, 2002, when  Pastor Marvin Jonasen was installed — he continues to serve at this time.

This brief history has been almost entirely about the structural and staffing components of Northlake and does not give details about the worship, education and service aspects.  However, at the very heart of these fifty years of ministry has been proclaiming God’s Word in the Kenmore community and beyond.

Read about Lutheran Roots in America on the ELCA website >>