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Our Savior's Lutheran Church 3634 First Avenue NE; Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 view map Phone: (319)365-9159 Fax: (319)365-9150 Email: crsaviors @ msn.com (remove spaces) |
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Mission Statement: Our Savior's is called by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel through Word and Sacrament and to serve those in need. |
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 The first 'home' of Our Savior's Lutheran Church was a 20'x48' chicken house ["Green Gable Laying House"] purchased from the Linn County Produce Company of Marion, Iowa in October of 1946.
Twenty-three men, women, and children attended the first worship services there. It served them well until the church of today was built in 1953. "To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power both now and forever. Amen" - Jude 25 |
History of OSLC
Our Savior's Lutheran Church has a rich tradition of its membership coming together to make necessary change while also dealing with making difficult decisions. But it is this tradition that gives OSLC the character of vision and determination that has enabled the Church to develop and prosper through the years.
In the Spring of 1946, the Kenwood Park area of Cedar Rapids was canvassed by the Mission Committee of the Iowa District and results indicated a strong need to establish a mission church in this fast growing residential area. On September 10, 1946, a group of 16 adults officially organized Our Savior's Lutheran Church. J.F. Wipperman was the first pastor. In 1947, the completed chapel was dedicated (see column on the left for more details.). On August 1, 1949 an FHA loan was approved to build a parsonage which was dedicated in April 1950. In 1952, a ground-breaking ceremony was held, and construction began on a permanent church building. On October 25, 1953 a Dedication Ceremony for the first permanent unit was held. In 1960, the Church dedicated additions to the church that included a brick structure and new furnishings with the capabilities of seating 340 members along with 17 additional Sunday School classrooms. The architect wrote "Its contemporary design makes use of today's building materials, lending themselves in union with the church's past heritage to provide a functional and beautiful setting for worship and an efficient unit for teaching." In 1964 the remodeling of the basement facilities was undertaken. Tile floors throughout and folding doors, allowing partitioning of the basement into individual Sunday school classrooms, were installed. In 1966 a planning committee was created for the purpose of long-range expansion. Their efforts were directed towards acquiring some First Avenue properties and some other adjacent properties. Acquisition of all properties was completed by May 1. The Library Committee officially opened the library at Adult Sunday School. In 1970 the Council authorized the remodeling of our church kitchen. Incorporated into the kitchen project was the remodeling of our secretarial facilities, pastors' offices, and nursery. All work was completed by April. Our Savior's celebrated its 25th Anniversary on October 24th, 1971. Through the efforts of Do-Day ladies and many others, we were able to send 285 quilts, 60 layettes, 102 pounds of soap, 395 pounds of children's clothing, and 160 pounds of men's clothing to Lutheran World Relief in 1975. Our Savior's and another church co-shared in the sponsorship of a refugee family who arrived in October 1980. It was reported that "Several members of the family are taking English classes and one daughter is working". The Lay Ministry sponsored Operation Bootstrap Sunday at worship services and Sunday School. A contribution of $426 was given to support the building of schools in Tanzania. The debt on the church property was paid off in June 1984 and a celebration was held on September 30th. Our debt retirement allowed us to reach out in a new area. $4,300 was given to the inner city Martin Luther Church in Mobile, Alabama. In 1986, after a year of planning, our new stained glass windows in the nave were dedicated on April 27th. The windows were designed and created by Frank Riehl of Iowa City. In 1987 the vote was cast for Our Savior's to join the new Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). In 1988 there was a renovation and remodeling of the basement, the addition of a new organ, and the installation of a new elevator. Cedar Rapids was a overnight stop for RAGBRAI on July 26th, 1990. The church sponsored a spaghetti dinner for the bike riders as a fund raiser for the building fund. In October 1992, the congregation approved the purchase and installation of a new sound system for the church. A "Dinner with Kathyrn and Martin Luther" was held on October 3rd, 1994. The Fellowship Hall was transformed into the Martin Luther home, a dinner of German foods was served, and a dramatization of highlights of Luther's life was presented. Our Savior's celebrated 50 years of service with a special service and potluck on Sunday, October 13th, 1996. We invite you to become part of the history of Our Savior's Lutheran Church!
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