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Our History

Church of Our Saviour has been a presence in the Fond du Lac community since 1923. The church was first envisioned by a group of area Lutherans who saw the need for an English-speaking congregation at a time when many area Lutherans were recent immigrants who still worshipped in their native German language.

 

Organized as a mission congregation of the United Lutheran Church by the Rev. B. J. Stecker and chartered in January 1925, the parish soon acquired the property at the corner of 9th and Main. A basement was built in which to hold worship services, but plans for a church building were delayed by the Great Depression. The church building that still stands today was finally completed and dedicated in 1937. The educational wing was added in 1961.

1920s

 

1924

  • September: Rev BJ Stecker, Field Missionary for Northern Wisconsin, arrives in Fond du Lac to organize a mission congregation

  • October 24: First Service held in YMCA building

1925

  • November 4, 1924 – April 12, 1925: 47 members sign Charter Roll of Our Saviour’s - English Evangelical Lutheran Church

  • September 24: Church property purchased and basement construction begun

  • December 24: First service held in basement on Christmas Eve

1926

  • June 24: Basement dedicated

1927

  • July 24: Rev Stecker installed

1929

  • Services continued in basement; plans to raise funds to complete construction are put on hold

  • Choir represented city and sang on radio station WTMJ in Milwaukee

1920

1930s

 

1931

  • Name is changed to Church of Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran

1933

  • First Builder is printed (parish newsletter)

1935

  • January 27: Church 10-year anniversary

1936

  • Plans made to complete church – Building Committee is formed

1937

  • Sanctuary (main floor of church) is built for $54,92162

  • Organist Elinor Johnson hired (1937-1967)

  • November 21: Church Building Dedication

  • Home purchased for Parish House at 9th and Center Streets

1930

1940s

 

1945

  • March 11: Dedication of second Parish “Youth” House at 10th and Main Streets

1949

  • COOS sponsors Latvian immigrants in aftermath of World War II

1940

1950s

 

1950

  • 25th anniversary of Church of Our Saviour is celebrated

  • Son of the parish Jerald Brauer ordained

1951

  • Son of the parish Ralph Loges ordained

1954

  • Vicar Robert Ovrebo (1954-1955)

1955

  • Youth House purchased

  • Vicar Robert Garz (1955-1956)

1956

  • Assistant Pastor Friederick Reinke (1956-1958)

1958

  • Parish worker Sharon (Wilson) Romberg (1958-1961)

  • Service Book and Hymnal (red hymnal) purchased and put into use

  • Mortgages of Church Building burned

1950

1960s

 

1960

  • Intern John Loberg (1960-1961)

  • Church Sea Scout Troop, SES Northland, is organized

1961

  • December 10: Dedication of Education and Administration wing

1962

  • Through its affiliation with the United Lutheran Church (ULC), the congregation is now a member parish of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA)

  • Vicar Theodore Romberg (1962-1963)

1963

  • New Hammond electronic organ installed at cost of $11,000

  • Couples Club started

1964

  • Asst Pastor Martin Ruge (1964-1966)

  • Lois Weigelt is hired as office secretary (1964-1994)

1966

  • Rev Stecker retires

  • September 24: Rev Paul Kuenning installed as Senior Pastor

1967

  • Assistant Pastor Dean Marin (1967-1969)

  • Organist Elinor Johnson resigns; Nora Price hired (1967-1984)

1968

  • First radio broadcast of worship service

  • 21 members are in Armed Forces, with at least half serving in Vietnam

1969

  • Church Council divides over Pastor Kuenning’s leadership regarding civil rights and Vietnam war issues and 8 members resign

  • Purchased house on Main Street between the Youth House and the Church

  • Head Start daycare program takes up residence in COOS facilities (through 1975)

1960

1970s

 

1970

  • Rev Kuenning resigns to accept a call to Incarnation Lutheran in Milwaukee

  • Vice Pastor Rev John Sell (1970-1971)

  • Quilting group begins making quilts for Lutheran World Relief

1971

  • Mary Arthur hired as secretary (1971-1979)

  • September 2: Rev Richard H Englund is installed as Senior Pastor

  • Church-owned houses south of Church are sold and moved from church site

1972

  • Parishoner Iva Beau wins Ecology Award

  • Rev Englund’s idea of Food Pantry becomes reality and finds home base within the church

1973

  • Radio broadcast of Sunday Services on WFON-FM resumes

  • Son of the Parish James Barsch ordained

1974

  • Improvement Fund drive conducted by Lutheran Laymen’s Movement; included plans to renovate the sanctuary and basement

1975

  • Church’s 50th anniversary celebration; renovated basement is renamed Stecker Hall

  • FDL Nursery School takes up residence (1975-1986)

1976

  • Rev Englund resigns to accept a call to Trinity Lutheran in Chambersburg, PA

  • Rev Paul Dawson serves as Vice Pastor from June through August

  • August 29: Rev Gerald V Goodrich installed as fourth Senior Pastor of COOS

1977

  • Lutheran Social Services (LSS) establishes a branch office in COOS building, staffed by Pastor Fritz Youra (through approx. 1982)

1978

  • Assistant Pastor Rev Brent Gustafson (1978-1981)

1979

  • Janet Radke hired to direct Senior Choir (1979-1994)

  • Lutheran Book of Worship (green hymnal) is purchased and implemented

  • XYZ Groups begins (Extra Years of Zest)

  • Rev BJ Stecker dies

1970

1980s

 

1981

  • October 25: Joanne Talaska becomes Church Worker / Ministry Assistant (1981-2003)

  • Jill Bjornstad is hired as Office Secretary (1981-1990)

1982

  • Elevator addition constructed and elevator installed at cost of $106,000

1983

  • Congregation becomes involved in community-wide Loves and Fishes program

1984

  • January 18: Pam Lane becomes organist

  • December 16: Rebecca Ebb ordained

1985

  • Congregation votes to purchase new pipe organ at cost of $120,000

  • Balcony and ceiling remodeled for $51,760

  • Youth delegation attends National Youth Gathering

1986

  • Installation of Memorial Bell and Crosses

  • Lollipop Park Learning Center becomes tenant in COOS building

  • New wood ceiling installed to enhance organ acoustics

1987

  • September 21: Hand bell set purchased and Hand Bell Choir organized by Janet Radke

  • November 28: Klaus Becker Tracker Organ (constructed in Germany) installed and dedicated

1988

  • Jackie Sandene serves as Youth Choir Director

  • 60th anniversary concert

1989

  • Installed new sound system

  • Rev Goodrich celebrates 25th anniversary of ordination

1980

1990s

 

1990

  • Rev Goodrich resigns to become chaplain at Lutheran Homes in Oconomowoc

  • Pastor Vern Steffenson serves transition

  • Latvian Lutherans begin to use church facilities once a month for worship

  • Pastor Duane Wisner installed as 5th Senior Pastor (1990-2006)

1991

  • Receivers for hearing impaired

1992

  • Thursday Evening Worship added to Summer schedule

  • July 13: Church Parlor redecorated

1994

  • May 31: Parish Secretary Lois Weigelt resigns after 30 years of service

  • Hymnal supplements purchased

1995

  • Listening Post implemented to address dissension among members

  • Dan Fee becomes director of Senior and Hand Bell Choirs (1995-2004)

  • September: Kathy Fee becomes SCS Music Director

1996

  • July 29: Cry room redecorated

1997

  • Church Pipe organ debt is paid in full

  • December: Mural hung at entrance

1998

  • Bereavement Ministry program begins

  • Visioning process begins

1999

  • Anniversary book and video work begins

  • Church sponsors Kosovo refugee family

  • Confirmation program adds rotating service centers

  • Partners in Ministry started; switched from pastoral-style to mission-style church

1990

2000s

 

2000

  • 75th anniversary year celebrations

  • “With One Voice” hymnal supplement introduced

  • Pastor Dewey celebrates 25th anniversary of his ordination

  • Befriender Ministry begins

2001

  • Congregation approves renovation plans to the Sanctuary

  • New Sunday School format, First Footsteps in Faith, begins

  • Lay communion ministry begins

2002

  • Parish Nurse Gail Tomkowiak is hired through a shared program with Agnesian Healthcare (2002-2008)

  • Kay Salzman hired as administrative assistant (parish administrator)

2003

  • Benevolence Bazaar held

  • Joanne Talaska retires from Ministry Assistant position

  • Sherri Bucher hired as office assistant

2004

  • Thanksgiving dinner is held

  • Paul Thompson hired as Senior Choir Director (2004-2007)

2005

  • Second Benevolence Bazaar is held

2006

  • January: $200,000 Line of Credit approved by congregation to address budget shortfalls and internal borrowing, plus need for a new roof

  • Michelle O’Brien, Director of Music Ministries, is hired

  • October: Contemporary “praise” worship service replaces traditional 10:30 a.m. worship  (2006-2008)

  • October: Pastor Dewey Wisner resigns and returns to former profession of pharmacy

  • October: Pastor Bruce Pangborn begins Interim Ministry

2007

  • January: Paul Thompson terminated as Senior Choir Director; Michelle O’Brien assumes his duties

  • January: $70,000 deficit budget is approved, on recommendation of leadership, to continue covering income shortfalls, subsidize pay raises and support increases in programs and music staff budget

  • July: Pastor Pangborn terminated; Pastor Robert Rosenberg replaces him as Interim Pastor

  • Congregation approves new church roof at a cost of $38,000, half of cost paid with special gifts and remainder funded through Line of Credit

2008

  • Scaled down budget approved by congregation; Parish Nurse, Director of Music Ministries, and paid nursery staff positions are terminated due to budget constraints

  • June: Church basement extensively damaged by sewer back-up during heavy flooding throughout the region; clean-up and repairs extend into the fall months

  • June: Fondy Food Pantry loses entire inventory in the flooding and decides to vacate the building after 36 years of free tenancy

  • September: Amy Phillips is appointed new Adult Choir Director (2008-2009)

  • October: Lollipop Park Learning Center is transitioned to Bright Beginnings Daycare, with new ownership and management

2009

  • April: Flood repairs and renovations completed; Open House and rededication of basement combined with a day of appreciation for Interim Pastor Bob Rosenberg

  • April/May: Pastor William Gruenstern accepts call to be Pastor of Church of Our Saviour and assumes his duties on May 1

  • May 28: Installation Service led by Bishop Jim Justman and his Associate, Rev Joy Mortensen-Wiebe

  • September: Sandy Albano selected to succeed Amy Phillips as Adult Choir Director

  • Line of credit exhausted; 10% cut in staff wages/hours proposed in order to balance 2010 budget

2000

2010s

 

2010

  • New congregational photo directory completed

  • “Kids B Fit” zumba and other classes hosted at COOS

  • Council holds May workshop with Synod resource person: Pastor Frank Maxwell from Door County

  • Line of credit loan and Improvement Loan (mortgage) combined and refinanced for lower interest and payments

  • September: Pastor Gruenstern resigned to pursue other ministry opportunities and stepped aside

  • Pastor Bob Rosenberg returns as Pastor under a term call; steps and goals toward rebuilding are set

  • New ecumenical efforts include monthly potlucks and a Christmas Eve service at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, with ELCA and Episcopalian bishops presiding

2011

  • A balanced budget was proposed and approved for 2011; staff hours/wages that were cut in 2009 were restored by mid-year

  • Executive committees of COOS and Immanuel-Trinity meet occasionally during year to explore sharing ministries 

  • Congregation-wide survey provides new data for congregational profile

  • Call Committee selected in fall and begins working on Call process with Associate with the Bishop Joy Mortensen Wiebe 

  • For the first time in over 10 years, the financial year ended “in the black” with a balanced budget and a $15,000 surplus

2012

  • April: Call Committee unanimously recommends “first call” candidate Matthew Agee to fill our pastoral vacancy; approved May 15 by unanimous vote of the congregation

  • July: Pastor Matt begins his ministry on July 1 and is installed on August 16; Bishop Jim Justman and Associate Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe presiding

  • September: 25th anniversary celebration of the Klaus Becker Tracker Pipe Organ culminates with Hymn Sing and Organ Recital, featuring David Heller, organist, and former Pastor Gerald Goodrich leading the hymn sing

  • First annual “Trunk or Treat Night” attracts some 300 children and parents to our parking lot

  • October: Searl Pickett Chamber Music Series begins holding events at COOS

  • November: 25th anniversary of WELCA

2013

  • April: Security System installed 

  • September: Stecker Hall windows replaced with glass blocks; roof replaced on elevator lobby

  • October: Tabitha Circle organized and began managing the Riverside School Clothes Closet

2014

  • April: TV monitors installed to left and right of the chancel in the sanctuary to better display slides during worship services

  • July: Diana Jewson resigns as bell choir director to move to Janesville; bell choir members alternate as interim conductors

  • October: Front entrance steps to main church repaired and put back into service

2015

  • July: Sandy Albano resigns as choir director

  • September: Janet Radke hired to be music coordinator, including adult choir, bell choir, special music and children’s music

2016

  • June: Set of chimes purchased for use by the bell choir

2017

  • February: First annual Talent Show held

  • April 1: Connie Weiss, a daughter of the parish, is ordained at Church of Our Saviour

  • August: Congregation approves 3 Year Drainage & Parking Lot Capital Campaign for $150,000 

  • Fall: Underground drainage system construction completed

2018

  • March: New railings installed on front step railings to comply with building codes

  • Spring: New parking lot completed

  • July: Youth and adults attend National Youth Gathering in Houston 

2019

  • July: Pastor Agee resigns to accept a call to St. Peter Lutheran in Dubuque, IA

  • September: Council decides to rely on supply pastors rather than intentional interim pastor during pastoral vacancy

  • October: Ministry Site Profile Team begins work on revising MSP in preparation for calling a new pastor

2010

2020s

 

2020

  • March: COVID-19 pandemic leads to statewide lockdown; worship services and all in-person meetings and activities moved online

  • April: Worship team organized to record weekly worship for viewing on Facebook and YouTube

  • May: Call Committee appointed 

  • May: Sherri Bucher resigns from office support position; duties reassigned to parish administrator and music coordinator

  • In-person worship services resume in summer, then are suspended and resumed again following CDC-recommended guidelines

  • September 20: Andrew Flatt-Kuntze, a son of the parish, ordained at Emmaus Lutheran Church, Falmouth, ME

2021

  • August: Congregation approves borrowing up to $75,000 to replace roof on the education wing

  • October: Education wing roof completed by Security Roofing

  • October: Pastor Crystal Lee is called by unanimous vote of the congregation to be the pastor of COOS; begins duties November 1

2022

  • May 26: Pastor Crystal installation service with Bishop Anne Edison-Allbright presiding

2023

  • January: Pastor Crystal moves to 3/4 time position to alleviate budget shortfalls

  • April: New sound and live-streaming system installed by Hull Audio Video at a cost of $25,000

  • August 27: Capital Campaign for repairs and improvements up to $150,000 approved by congregation

  • August 31: Kay Salzman retires from Parish Administrator position; continues as bookkeeper

  • October 1: Emily Zeise begins duties as Parish Administrator (2023-2024)

  • November: New roof installed on sanctuary as first phase of Capital Improvements

2024

  • Capital Improvements projects continue, including repair/painting and new covers for stained glass windows, and new or repaired exterior doors, floors and lighting in education wing

  • March: Congregation Council writes new Mission Statement at annual retreat

  • July 31: Kay Salzman resigns bookkeeper position

  • Oct. 1: Traci Kovacs begins position as bookkeeper

  • Oct. 17: Emily Zeise leaves Office Administrator position and moves to Oregon

  • Oct. 21: Claire Koehler assumes duties as new Office Administrator

  • Oct. 27: Centennial Year celebration begins; Pastor Matt Agee as guest preacher

  • Nov. 21: Fall Friendship Supper for Bright Beginnings daycare families and COOS members

2020
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