Our History

Our Beginnings
In 1964, the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) Mission Board 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.

Our First Building
The first model of the church at 7570 Oswego Road showed the basic structure and plans to expand with purchase of land next door. The facility would eventually contain a large fellowship area and Sunday School wing.

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, a task force, together with representatives from the Upstate New York Synod, purchased land three miles north of the present facility on Oswego Road and made plans to build a new structure.

Our Current Facility
The current site, 8278 Oswego Road, was chosen because of the outreach opportunities to the growth potential in the towns of Clay and Lysander, as well as southern Oswego County.

1991 - 2001
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.

2006 and Beyond
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 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. Paul A. Herpich           1986 -

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.