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History of Redeemer Lutheran
Pastors who served us Rev. Carl Efraimson 1963-1964 Rev. Luther Gutz 1966-1967 Rev. John Grande 1969-1987 Rev. Robert Krueger 1971-1973 Rev. Tim Kuhlmann 1988-1990 Rev. Karl Sauer 1993-1996 Rev. Bill Snooks 1998-1999 Rev. Garry Heintz 2002-2017 Rev. Bradly Julien 2018-2020 |
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In May of 1964, while Rev. Carl Efraimson was serving as Missionary at Large in the Kakabeka area, construction of a parsonage was begun. On September 13, 1964, the chapel (in the basement of the parsonnage) was dedicated and the name of the congregation chosen.
On October 29, 1967, the congregation was organized and in February of 1968 became a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. A new church building was constructed and dedicated November 16, 1969. The congregation had 49 members and a yearly attendance of 64.
In July 1974, ground breaking ceremonies were held for a new addition, with the dedication service held on September 13, 1974. This was constructed as a multi-purpose facility so that the congregation, the preaching station in Blake and the Shebandowan preaching station could gather for fellowship. Fellowship activities inclded Mother’s Day outings, bowling, volleyball, Bible Study, and Christmas caroling.
In October of 1974, Redeemer began a Friday School program. In 1979, there were 325 children registered from Shebandowan, Nolalu, Thunder Bay, Blake, Murillo, and Kakabeka Falls. Average attendance was 200 students in Friday School.
In 1979, building plans were undertaken to make a larger entrance, a meeting room and a pastor’s study. Property was purchased behind the church for parking and outdoor recreation.
In 1985, the kitchen was extended and a hallway/storage room were added.
In 1987, the church celebrated 25 years as an organized congregation. In 1989, the 20th anniversary of the first church building was celebrated.
The congregation became a member of the fledgling Lutheran Church – Canada in 1990. There were 206 members on the register, with an average attendance of 103.
Since that time, services and Bible Studies have continued at Redeemer. The congregation opened its doors to the Rural Cupboard foodbank which operated out of the church basement for nearly 16 years until they outgrew the space available here.
A new venture has begun with a cooperative partnership with Streetreach, an outreach of the Lutheran Community Care Centre in Thunder Bay. Pastor Brad Julien was the first to serve both communities.
On October 29, 1967, the congregation was organized and in February of 1968 became a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. A new church building was constructed and dedicated November 16, 1969. The congregation had 49 members and a yearly attendance of 64.
In July 1974, ground breaking ceremonies were held for a new addition, with the dedication service held on September 13, 1974. This was constructed as a multi-purpose facility so that the congregation, the preaching station in Blake and the Shebandowan preaching station could gather for fellowship. Fellowship activities inclded Mother’s Day outings, bowling, volleyball, Bible Study, and Christmas caroling.
In October of 1974, Redeemer began a Friday School program. In 1979, there were 325 children registered from Shebandowan, Nolalu, Thunder Bay, Blake, Murillo, and Kakabeka Falls. Average attendance was 200 students in Friday School.
In 1979, building plans were undertaken to make a larger entrance, a meeting room and a pastor’s study. Property was purchased behind the church for parking and outdoor recreation.
In 1985, the kitchen was extended and a hallway/storage room were added.
In 1987, the church celebrated 25 years as an organized congregation. In 1989, the 20th anniversary of the first church building was celebrated.
The congregation became a member of the fledgling Lutheran Church – Canada in 1990. There were 206 members on the register, with an average attendance of 103.
Since that time, services and Bible Studies have continued at Redeemer. The congregation opened its doors to the Rural Cupboard foodbank which operated out of the church basement for nearly 16 years until they outgrew the space available here.
A new venture has begun with a cooperative partnership with Streetreach, an outreach of the Lutheran Community Care Centre in Thunder Bay. Pastor Brad Julien was the first to serve both communities.
