In the beginning……….
In 1964, the Lutheran Church in America (LCA, now defunct) sent Rev. Jay Tichenor, a recently ordained pastor, to establish a church in the Town of Clay near the rapidly growing development of Bayberry. The new congregation began meeting for worship at the Flamingo Bowling Alley on September 27, 1964.
The official date of organization was May 23, 1965. At that time, the 98 charter members issued a call to Pastor Tichenor. He was installed on October 10, 1965, with plans to erect a church at 7570 Oswego Road. Ground breaking for the 175 capacity sanctuary was held on November 7, 1965. The growing church, located next door 
to Friendly’s Restaurant, became fondly known as “St. Friendly’s”. As more education space was needed, modular units provided temporary space. With the surrounding land already developed, the congregation needed a new expansion site.
In January 1987, land three miles north of our first facility on Oswego Road was purchased with plans to build a new structure. Dedication events were held November 23-24, 1991.
Within ten years, the Sunday school had grown so large that every available space was being used. The “Growing Our Kids’ Future” financial campaign funded additional education space that was dedicated in October 2001.
The congregation remains friendly and mission focused, not only 
in the surrounding community but in support of a variety of projects away from “home”. Other areas of strength can be seen in the youth ministry and music programs, as well as a community service attitude permeating most ministry groups.
Our Leaders
Throughout our history, we have been served by many pastors, each leaving his/her own unique contribution to our congregation:
Rev. Jay M. Tichenor…………………………….1965-1968
Rev. Richard L. Eilers……………………………1969-1972
Rev. Dr. John H. Sprock………………………..1973-1974
Rev. Robert Cornelius……………………………1973-1974
Rev. Neal A. Orabka………………………………1974-1979
Rev. Charles D. Bang…………………………….1980-1983
Rev. Gene F. Jerge………………………………..1984-1985
Rev. Dr. Paul A. Herpich……………………….1986-2018
Rev. Dr. Julius Carroll (IIP)…………………..2018-2020
Rev. Tara Lamont Eastman…………………..2020-2023
Deacon Nancy Wagner…………………….2020-2022
Rev. Rebecca Truland…………………………..2023-present
We would be remiss if we did not mention the pastoral services and ministry of the Rev. Alfred Schroder, who served as our vice-pastor during three different vacancies of the 1980s.
