(Continued)
Construction on the new church progressed nicely since it began in October, 1965. Members eagerly anticipated moving into the new facilities. Their dreams came to reality when the first service in the new house of worship for the congregation of First Lutheran was held on Christmas Eve of 1966. Even though the Church was far from finished, a beautiful service was held with only candlelights as there was no electricity. In addition, worshippers sat on folding chairs since the new pews had not arrived. Other furnishings were also missing but worshipping in the new sanctuary was a great inspiration to those attending and will be remembered throughout their lives. The candlelight Christmas Eve service has continued each year since that time.
The new church now contained a nave seating 330 worshippers plus thirty-five in the choir loft. Directly behind the nave was a fellowship hall which seated about 200 at tables and also served as an overflow for the church. As a result, nearly 600 could be accommodated at a service. A large lounge served as a part of the narthex. In addition to the Pastor's study, there was a secretary's office and work room, and a choir room. The kitchen near the fellowship hall was very adequate with new furnishings and equipment. There are three storage rooms, rest rooms, and a mechanical room for heating and cooling equipment.
The education wing to the south consisted of a Church School office, youth room, and 16 classrooms. All of the church was air-conditioned with the exception of the educational wing.
A formal garden area greeted church goers on the west main entrance. The open free standing bell tower located near this entrance announced the services to the community. The bell in the tower was moved from the old church. A large patio for outdoor social events was incorporated in the east entrance. The church was planned and constructed so that there are no steps involved in entering or moving about on the interior to various areas. Adequate parking space was provided in both on and off street areas.
Architects for the new church were Helleberg and Helleberg of Kearney. General Contractor was Britton Construction Company of Lexington; Mechanical Contractor was Anderson Brothers of Kearney, and the Electrical Contractor was Kelly Electric, also of Kearney.
The total cost of the building program including land, paving, parking lot, sidewalks, landscaping, general, mechanical, and electrical contracts, architect's fees, all carpeting and furniture, kitchen equipment, speaking system, drapes and moving and adding to the pipe organ was approximately $365,000. The debt at this time was $150,000. Membership was 639 confirmed members and 319 children totaling 958 souls.
Dr. Reuben T. Swanson, .President of the Nebraska Synod, Lutheran Church of America, officiated at the dedication services of the new First Lutheran Church in Kearney on July 23, 1967. It is with deep appreciation that First Lutheran expressed its thanks to the many people and groups who under God's gracious guidance contributed in so many ways to the completion of this beautiful worship center.
New First Lutheran Church - 1967
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At a special congregational meeting on April 2, 1967, authorization was given to issue a call to Rev. Roger L. Sasse to be an assistant pastor on a half-time basis. He was also to work half-time as campus pastor at Kearney State College.
The Nebraska Synod held its 1968 annual convention at First Lutheran Church in Kearney. Delegates and visitors attending the meeting expressed the feeling that the beautiful new building was an inspiration and a joy for all of the 338 persons in attendance.
Members of the church were now enjoying the new church to its fullest. Visions of adequate space for the Sunday School, worship services and offices located in a quiet peaceful area of the city were all now realized as well as many other benefits. However, there was one feature that members felt could be improved. When the church was constructed, the windows in the nave contained plain colored glass. Many expressed the desire to replace these with stained glass depicting Biblical scenes or important church-related events. With congregational approval, the original windows were replaced with faceted colored glass symbols in each of the six windows on the North side of the nave. Beginning at the front of the church and continuing toward the back, the following symbols are depicted: the Nativity, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, The Word and Prayer, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. It was the feeling that these windows added much to the beauty of the nave and that they would be inspirational to all worshippers in their devotional lives.
Upon the resignation of Pastor Sasse in 1970, the congregation agreed to call an Associate Pastor to also serve as youth leader. On November 8, a call was issued to Rev. Richard Magnuson to come to Kearney as Associate Pastor. He and his family arrived on January 1, 1971.
The educational wing serving the Sunday School was air-conditioned during 1973 at a cost of $5,000 in order to make the summer more tolerable for both students and teachers.
At a special meeting on May 20, 1973 consideration was given to the possible sale of the church parsonage and give the Pastors a housing allowance in lieu of providing housing by the church. The motion carried thus making it possible for Pastor Ebb to buy a house of his own in which to live instead of using one provided by the church. This arrangement made it possible for the Pastors to realize some equity in some real estate rather than having their home furnished by the church. During the previous 89 years, the church had furnished a house for the pastor but now this custom had ended. The parsonage owned by the church was sold in 1974.
Membership continued to increase during Pastor Ebb's ministry at First Lutheran, so that in 1974 there were 1,000 adults and 368 children for a total of 1,368. Realizing that now there were several members in the congregation who did not drive or were unable to drive who needed some assistance in getting to the worship services, a bus was purchased from Bethphage Mission to be used for this purpose as well as to transport groups to various activities and meetings. This is the first time that transportation of this type had been provided by the church.
Special recognition was given to Pastor and Mrs. Ebb on September 8, 1974 for twenty years service to the First Lutheran Church and the community of Kearney. Special music and greetings from Dr. Rueben Swanson were featured at the morning services. During the afternoon, an open house was held in the Fellowship Hall followed by a barbecue on the parking lot. During the time that Pastor Ebb has ministered in Kearney, the church has been able to remain on a sound financial basis and be self-supporting. Membership has increased year after year and a beautiful new house of worship has been constructed under his leadership. He also has been active in many areas of the Kearney community, as well as having participated in several functions of the church at large in Nebraska. First Lutheran has been fortunate to have had Pastor Ronald Ebb these many years.
Pastor Ronald A. Ebb
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It should be noted that the debt for the construction of the new church of $365,000 was paid off and the mortgage burned on November 30, 1975. First Lutheran now had a new church and was debt free after only eight years and four months. The church property was valued at $500,000 at this time.
A somewhat minor but much appreciated improvement to the structure of the church was added in 1975. This improvement consisted of building a roof over the patio by the East entrance to the church. A circular drive was also added permitting members to load and unload passengers attending services as well as to bring food items and supplies to the kitchen or church proper more conveniently. The cost of this improvement was $13,280.
Pastor Magnuson resigned in 1977 after serving as associate pastor for seven years. He planned to go to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His main responsibility in Kearney was in the area of Christian Education and youth work along with assisting in the total ministry of the church. He was instrumental in establishing a pre-school program in 1973, which continues to be popular.
Mr. William (Bill) Nelson, a Kearney native, joined the administrative staff of First Lutheran on May 1, 1978. He served as Director of Christian Education and youth programs. He resigned in August of 1979.
After Pastor Magnuson left Kearney, the need for an associate pastor continued to exist primarily due to the continued growth of the membership. On April 23, 1979, the congregation agreed, at a special meeting called by the Church Council, to issue a call to Pastor Ralph Ritzen to become Associate Pastor of First Lutheran Church. Pastor Ritzen was installed on July 22. His main duties were designated as evangelism, visitation, and people involvement.
Pastor Ralph L. Ritzen
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The new revised hymnals were purchased and put to use in 1979. Although there was considerable change, members adapted to these changes and became comfortable with the new music and the new format of the worship service.
With a larger congregation and more staff, it soon became apparent that there was need for more office space, more space for coat racks, a more suitable location for the secretary's office to monitor and serve visitors to the church, and a need for a larger lounge area to serve members. As a result, the membership voted to remodel the main entryway in order to provide the offices and the needed space on September 16, 1979. Construction on the renovation began in early spring of 1980 and completed later in the year. The new 1,800 square foot expansion was built on the front of the church at a cost of $116,429. This addition included four offices, a secretary's reception area, an enlarged lounge with a coat rack area and a work and storage room. The two offices previously used by the Pastors were remodeled into a library conference room. In addition a new art glass window of Christ with two children greets members and visitors in the new entryway. The project was financed through a special fund drive spanning a three year period. Membership now stood at about 1,500. Many pieces of furniture and other items needed to furnish the new addition were provided by personal gifts or through memorials. The Building Committee was composed of Dean Aden, Chairman; Harvey Anderson, Allen Bartling, Mary Ellen Lantis and Kenneth Carlson.
With additional funds remaining after the remodeling project, it was decided to use this reserve to make an addition to the organ. Contracts were made with the Vaughan Company of Holdrege, Nebraska during April, 1981. The addition to the organ was completed in May, 1983 at a cost of $27,027. Eight new ranks of pipes offer a considerably greater variety in music provided for any worship service.
It was gratifying to notice more and more children were enrolling in the Church School and related youth activities. Without a youth leader, a definite need was felt in this area and a search was made to find someone interested in working with young people of the church. On June 1, 1980, Connie Schmidt was employed as Director of Christian Education and Youth on a full time basis.
Connie Schmidt
Director of Christian Education and Youth
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First Lutheran was now being served by two pastors, a Director of Christian Education as well as a secretary with a membership of 1,561 adults and children with projections of over 2,000 members in ten years. These numbers signify constant growth of the church in Kearney. The Church School, in particular, was getting over-crowded and needed more space. As a result, several members began talking about the need for additional classrooms. As time went by, more people saw the cramped conditions and realized the need for additional facilities not only for Church School but in other areas as well. A Committee of fifteen people studied the situation in depth and then presented a plan for a realistic addition which they felt would accommodate the church for many years in the future. The proposal suggested would provide five additional classrooms, a small chapel, a multipurpose room, kitchen, restrooms, and storage area plus additional parking space. By 1982, after many meetings, consultations and prayers, the Church Council called a special meeting of the congregation on July 25, to consider launching a fund drive to finance a new addition designed to alleviate the overcrowded conditions existing in the Church School and also to provide space for other activities of the church. Commitments for the new addition fund were to extend over a three year period beginning on January 1, 1983 to reach a goal of $300,000. Approval was given to proceed with the fund drive.
With the success of the fund drive, ($279,000 committed) the church members approved the appointment of a Building Committee and the hiring of an architect for the addition during the annual meeting in January, 1983. The Building Committee was composed of Tom Henning, Chairman; Carole Dreher, Marlin Heiden, Maurice Miller, and Jerry Schmidt. Jack Wilken and Associates was selected as the architect.
Present Church Interior
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Conducting the fund drive and holding many planning sessions by the Building and Finance Committees occupied the next six weeks. On Sunday, March 13, a special meeting of the Congregation was called to give final approval for proceeding with the proposed addition. After presentations and discussion, three different votes were called for to determine the direction the Building Committee should follow.
The first vote was called to determine whether the church should go ahead with the building addition or not. The vote was in favor of proceeding with the new addition. The second vote was to determine which of two plans should be followed in pursuing the building program. The first of these plans was to complete the addition as much as possible with all painting, cabinet work, carpeting, etc., together with the paving of the parking lot. The second plan was to build a shell with the prescribed space but finishing the interior at a later date. Members voted for the completed building so that the new space could be utilized as soon as possible. The third vote asked for approval to transfer the money in the reserve fund of $43,000 to the building fund. Members voted for the transfer. Now that approval had been given to proceed with the fully completed addition, all members were asked to give full support to the program keeping pledges current or to make a commitment if this had not been done.
With congregational approval to proceed with the new addition, the Building Committee instructed the architect to proceed with final plans and specifications. Slight changes in the plans consisted of adding a small stage area in the multipurpose room and provision for more adequate storage. During the following weeks, the plans were completed and bids were opened on May 12. Central Contracting of Kearney was awarded the general contract.
Ground breaking ceremonies were held on Sunday, May 22, 1983. Construction began shortly and continued through the summer months and fall. By the latter part of December, construction was completed and furnishings installed. The first use of the new addition was the presentation of the Church School Christmas programs in the multipurpose room.
January 29, 1984 marked the dedication of the new addition of the First Lutheran Church with Bishop Dennis Anderson, President, Nebraska Synod, LCA, participating. This latest addition contains 9,800 square feet and includes a chapel, five classrooms, a multipurpose room-gym with stage, kitchen, rest rooms with showers and indoor and outdoor storage. A unique feature of the Chapel is a stained glass window showing Martin Luther's Coat of Arms. An additional fifty car parking lot was also included in the addition.
First Lutheran Church with Addition - 1984
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The present Church Complex includes approximately 28,000 square feet, all of which is on the ground level. It is estimated that the replacement cost of the church and property would be about $1,500,000 today.
In addition to the two services and twenty-one Church School classes on Sunday mornings, many organizations serve in their own way to enrich the lives of members who participate. Among the organizations are: Luther Anns and Andys, Young at Hearts, First Friends, Lutheran Church Women, eight Church Circles, Senior League, Junior League, Senior Choir, three children's choirs, Golden Agers, Ladies Bible Study, Mother Morning Out study group, Mens Prayer Breakfast group, and an Evening Adult Bible Class.
Interior of Church
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First Lutheran is served by a Church Council of eighteen members and a Long Range Committee. A preschool with two teachers is conducted with morning and afternoon sessions to serve two groups of children. Holy Communion is celebrated the first Sunday of every month at both services and also on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter and Christmas Eve. Worship services of the church are broadcast on the third Sunday of each month over radio station KGFW at 11:00 a.m. and on Christmas Eve at 8:00 p.m.
In reflecting back over the past one hundred years, the members of the First Lutheran Church should feel a great deal of pride in the growth and accomplishments that have been made. From a meager beginning in 1884 with a small membership in a small wooden structure to a beautiful brick temple with adequate facilities for all church activities in 1984, dramatizes its history. From a church needing financial support for two-thirds of its existence, struggling at intervals for many years without a pastor, to the time when it has an annual budget of over $240,000, giving partial support to six missionaries, it is able to support successfully an expansion program and is served by two pastors, a Director of Christian Education and a secretary. That portrays the durability of First Lutheran.
A great deal of credit for this growth and progress should be given to the tireless efforts of Pastor Ronald Ebb, who has faithfully and energetically ministered to the congregation for thirty years now in the fall of 1984. Pastor Ralph Ritzen, too, as Associate Pastor, has also greatly enriched the programs of the church with his insight, Bible interpretations and musical talents. Above all, we thank and praise the Lord, our God for His guidance and sustaining power over these last one hundred years. May he continue to lead us as the First Lutheran Church continues to reveal the teachings of Christ in the community of Kearney, Nebraska for the next one hundred years and more.
Our sincere thanks to Kenneth F. Carbon for the many hours he has put in gathering and writing this historic report.
Following is a list of pastors and the years they have served First Lutheran Church.
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1884- 1886 - 1888 1900 - 1903 1903 - 1904 1906 - 1910 1910 - 1911 1914 - 1915 1915 - 1920 1920 - 1923 1923 - 1925 1926 - 1930 1931 - 1937 1940 - 1942 1943 - 1947 1947 - 1953 1954 - Present 1967 - 1970 1971 - 1977 1979 - Present |
Rev. P. M. Sannquist Rev. J. Torell Rev. C. O. Lund Rev. O. A. Johnson Rev. S. E. Selander Rev. C. G. Bloomquist Rev. Kenneth Bescher Rev. Herman A. Larson Rev. J. E. Lindberg Rev. C. G. Anderson Rev. Ralph Peterson Rev. C. F. Sandahl Rev. Everett W. Norling Rev. Walfred Nelson Rev. Emory Pokrant Rev. Ronald A. Ebb Rev. Roger L. Sasse Rev. Richard E. Magnuson Rev. Ralph L. Ritzen |
1963 - 1966 Gloria (Kleven) Griffen
1978 - 1979 Bill Nelson
1980 - Present Connie Schmidt
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Sponsor's Page
Ruth Anderson |