Our congregation began as a grass roots effort by local Lutherans at a meeting on February 28, 1979. Plans were made for the first worship service on March 4, 1979. Since rental of public school facilities to religious groups was prohibited in Missouri, members had worship services at six different locations from March 1979 to November 1982.

The local group used its own resources to develop the mission since such funds were not available from the American Lutheran Church Mission Committee. The congregation was organized on May 4, 1980 and Pastor Baack was installed as pastor. The present church property was purchased on November 16, 1981 with a $5000 down payment on the $22,500 cost of the property. Members approved a plan to build our own church. An architect was not employed to reduce costs. Basic plans were prepared and submitted to a drafting and engineering firm to prepare plans to meet all building code requirements.

Construction funds were received from numerous churches, including gifts totaling more than $55,000 from parishes previously served by Pastor Baack. Ground breaking was on May 16, 1982 and church dedication on October 23, 1983. Members did most of the construction work. When completed the total church loan on the property and structure was about $40,000. Pastor Baack resigned in September, 1985.

Pastor Randy Bender was called and became our pastor in December 1986. With construction completed greater emphasis was placed on developing church life. Pastor Bender had a desire for added academic studies and resigned as pastor in January, 1989 to further his academic pursuits.

When the ELCA was formed in 1987, change brought a much longer period of time for calling a pastor. Thus, Pastor Paul Funk was secured for part-time interim pastoral service from February to December in 1989. Pastor Larry Sydow was called as pastor and arrived in December 1989. During his ten years as pastor the program of the church was enlarged and expanded. This marked the beginning of two worship services on Sunday. The increase of membership and programs led to the need for added church facilities. Construction of an addition was carried out, substantially increasing the use of church facilities. When Pastor Sydow resigned in May 2000, Pastor Loren Youngdale served as part-time interim pastor from June to November of 2000.

During the interim the congregational Call Committee reviewed possible pastors for our church as submitted by the Synod and selected Pastor James Banner for congregational approval. He arrived as pastor of our church in December 2000. The pattern of spiritual growth among members and outreach to others continues in a fine manner in our church, including broadening of church services. We thank God for having him as our pastor and leader for service under God.