The History of Faith Lutheran Church History
Artist Depiction of Church
The history of Faith Lutheran Church starts with two Springfield LCMS congregations: Trinity and Redeemer.
Faith Lutheran Church as it is known today was born as a “Mission” church from the joint efforts of Trinity and Redeemer Lutheran Churches. For several years, the feasibility of forming a new "Mission" church in Springfield had been discussed by members of Trinity and Redeemer congregations. Long-Range Planning committees were formed by both congregations.
In July, 1973, these committees were authorized to proceed with the Board of Missions, in establishing another church in Springfield. Both committees worked together in trying to locate a suitable site for the new mission. In early 1974, a 4.71 acre tract of land in North Springfield was located on Valley Water Mill Road just west of Highway 65, and was favored by both committees. In June 1974, a special meeting of both congregations was held to discuss an option to buy this tract. Both assemblies voted to pay $250.00 each for the option to buy the land. The District Mission Board was contacted and Board officials visited Springfield, inspected the site, and decided to exercise the option to purchase.
The Long-Range Planning Committees called a meeting August 29, 1974 for anyone interested in forming a new congregation. This meeting was attended by approximately 28 persons representing 55 souls. At this meeting a steering committee was elected and on August 8, 1974 met with Mr. Arthur Kuster from the Board of Missions who advised them to proceed with plans to form a new Mission Congregation.
The committee held a meeting on September 22, 1974 and selected the name "Faith Lutheran Church" for the new Mission. Officers were elected to head the new church, a constitution was to be drafted, and a temporary place of worship was to be located.
On September 29, 1974, Rev. John Meyer, Director of Missions--Missouri District, met with the group and encouraged them to begin holding services as soon as possible. On October 6, 1974, a meeting was held with the Circuit Counselor, Rev. Robert Wyssmann, St. Paul's, Marshfield, and Rev. Elmer L. Schnelle, a Missouri Synod pastor now residing in Springfield. Rev. Schnelle consented to serve the Mission on a temporary basis as a "Worker Priest."A location was secured where services could be held, and on Sunday, October 20, 1974, in Bakers' Union Hall, 336 East Commercial, the first service of Faith Lutheran Congregation was conducted. Rev. C. W. Heilman, pastor of Trinity, and Rev. Gerard Thies, pastor of Redeemer, served as Liturgists. Rev. Robert Wyssmann, St. Paul's, Marshfield, was the speaker for this occasion. Services were held regularly with Sunday School and Adult Bible Class in the Hall.
Fifty-one members and eight baptized souls transferred from Trinity to the new Faith Lutheran Congregation.
In October, 1974, the purchase of the 4.71 acre tract of land was finalized with a loan from the Church Extension Fund.
On June 23, 1974, Rev. Elmer L. Schnelle was called by the Division of Missions, Lutheran Church, Missouri District to serve as Missionary-at-Large in the Springfield area, and on Sunday, September 7, 1975, was installed as Missionary-at-Large of Faith, Springfield, and the worshipping group of Bolivar, Missouri.
On October 7, 1975, the new church was incorporated, and officially named, Faith Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod of Springfield, Missouri. On August 29, 1976, groundbreaking ceremonies for an Educational unit with chapel were held. Construction began immediately, and work progressed well on the building.
Memorials, gifts of love, time and talents were given by members and others who were interested. The Missouri District Lutheran Women's Missionary League voted to give Faith Lutheran a grant of $10,000.00.The congregation held its last service at Bakers' Union Hall on December 12, 1976. Dedication of the new building was held February 6, 1977. At this time, a check for $3,000.00 from Trinity Lutheran congregation was presented to the new Faith congregation, which now numbered 152 souls.
During the early months of 1977, Rev. Ed. A. Krause, a retired Missouri Synod Lutheran pastor living in Springfield, consented to help with worship services and Christian Education. This was due to the illness of Pastor Schnelle. Both pastors continued to serve both Faith, Springfield, and Zion, Bolivar.
In August, 1977, word was received that Pastor Schnelle would be permanently retired due to ill health. Pastor Ed. A. Krause consented to serve Faith as interim pastor. He served Bolivar as needed, assisted by area pastors. Beginning in October, 1977, Pastor Krause served the congregation until a new Pastor, Rev. Mark C. Stenbeck, was installed as Shepherd of both parishes.
Faith Lutheran Church as it is known today was born as a “Mission” church from the joint efforts of Trinity and Redeemer Lutheran Churches. For several years, the feasibility of forming a new "Mission" church in Springfield had been discussed by members of Trinity and Redeemer congregations. Long-Range Planning committees were formed by both congregations.
In July, 1973, these committees were authorized to proceed with the Board of Missions, in establishing another church in Springfield. Both committees worked together in trying to locate a suitable site for the new mission. In early 1974, a 4.71 acre tract of land in North Springfield was located on Valley Water Mill Road just west of Highway 65, and was favored by both committees. In June 1974, a special meeting of both congregations was held to discuss an option to buy this tract. Both assemblies voted to pay $250.00 each for the option to buy the land. The District Mission Board was contacted and Board officials visited Springfield, inspected the site, and decided to exercise the option to purchase.
The Long-Range Planning Committees called a meeting August 29, 1974 for anyone interested in forming a new congregation. This meeting was attended by approximately 28 persons representing 55 souls. At this meeting a steering committee was elected and on August 8, 1974 met with Mr. Arthur Kuster from the Board of Missions who advised them to proceed with plans to form a new Mission Congregation.
The committee held a meeting on September 22, 1974 and selected the name "Faith Lutheran Church" for the new Mission. Officers were elected to head the new church, a constitution was to be drafted, and a temporary place of worship was to be located.
On September 29, 1974, Rev. John Meyer, Director of Missions--Missouri District, met with the group and encouraged them to begin holding services as soon as possible. On October 6, 1974, a meeting was held with the Circuit Counselor, Rev. Robert Wyssmann, St. Paul's, Marshfield, and Rev. Elmer L. Schnelle, a Missouri Synod pastor now residing in Springfield. Rev. Schnelle consented to serve the Mission on a temporary basis as a "Worker Priest."A location was secured where services could be held, and on Sunday, October 20, 1974, in Bakers' Union Hall, 336 East Commercial, the first service of Faith Lutheran Congregation was conducted. Rev. C. W. Heilman, pastor of Trinity, and Rev. Gerard Thies, pastor of Redeemer, served as Liturgists. Rev. Robert Wyssmann, St. Paul's, Marshfield, was the speaker for this occasion. Services were held regularly with Sunday School and Adult Bible Class in the Hall.
Fifty-one members and eight baptized souls transferred from Trinity to the new Faith Lutheran Congregation.
In October, 1974, the purchase of the 4.71 acre tract of land was finalized with a loan from the Church Extension Fund.
On June 23, 1974, Rev. Elmer L. Schnelle was called by the Division of Missions, Lutheran Church, Missouri District to serve as Missionary-at-Large in the Springfield area, and on Sunday, September 7, 1975, was installed as Missionary-at-Large of Faith, Springfield, and the worshipping group of Bolivar, Missouri.
On October 7, 1975, the new church was incorporated, and officially named, Faith Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod of Springfield, Missouri. On August 29, 1976, groundbreaking ceremonies for an Educational unit with chapel were held. Construction began immediately, and work progressed well on the building.
Memorials, gifts of love, time and talents were given by members and others who were interested. The Missouri District Lutheran Women's Missionary League voted to give Faith Lutheran a grant of $10,000.00.The congregation held its last service at Bakers' Union Hall on December 12, 1976. Dedication of the new building was held February 6, 1977. At this time, a check for $3,000.00 from Trinity Lutheran congregation was presented to the new Faith congregation, which now numbered 152 souls.
During the early months of 1977, Rev. Ed. A. Krause, a retired Missouri Synod Lutheran pastor living in Springfield, consented to help with worship services and Christian Education. This was due to the illness of Pastor Schnelle. Both pastors continued to serve both Faith, Springfield, and Zion, Bolivar.
In August, 1977, word was received that Pastor Schnelle would be permanently retired due to ill health. Pastor Ed. A. Krause consented to serve Faith as interim pastor. He served Bolivar as needed, assisted by area pastors. Beginning in October, 1977, Pastor Krause served the congregation until a new Pastor, Rev. Mark C. Stenbeck, was installed as Shepherd of both parishes.
The Rev. Mark C. Stenbeck was installed as the first permanent pastor for Faith on January 7, 1979. An annual craft fair was originated during this year with the goal in sight of acquiring pews for the sanctuary.
A ground-breaking service was held on June 27, 1982 to start the building of the new addition for Sunday School rooms and to remodel the present building, thus enlarging the sanctuary.Pastor Stenbeck preached his farewell sermon on August 8, 1982 as he had accepted a call to Paradise, California.
Rev. Gerald L. Thies served as interim pastor, and Rev. Marvin Lilie and Rev. Joseph Bragg served in other capacities during this vacancy.
The new addition was soon to be completed when the Rev. Leslie J. Mitkos, Jr. accepted the call to be Faith's new shepherd. Pastor Mitkos was installed on March 6, 1983.
Dedication services for the newly remodeled and extended building were held on May 15, 1983. Faith was truly blessed at this time with 409 souls.
Pastor Mitkos preached his farewell sermon on June 28, 1992 as he had accepted a call to Zion Lutheran in Staunton, III. The Rev. Wilfred Ziekert served as the interim pastor during the short vacancy. The Rev Andrew J. Spallek was installed as our minister on December 6, 1992.
In September 1994, Faith began a new outreach ministry in the form of a preschool with 12 children enrolled. The preschool children used the Sunday school rooms during the weekdays.
In August 1995 Faith called Deaconess Angie Reitmeier whose purpose would be to serve Faith and its members in the area of preschool director and Sunday School Superintendent. Other duties would include assisting the pastor.
In June 1997, ground breaking was held for yet another addition to Faith, a 10,000 square feet building which would house 3 new classrooms, a large preschool room, library, gymnasium, and large kitchen. The facility was dedicated on August 2, 1998.
In early 2001, Faith initiated its website: www.fls-s.org. That website effort continues today.
Reverend Andrew J. Spallek accepted a call to Salem Lutheran Church, Florissant, Missouri in early November 2001.
Reverend Erhard W. W. Wolf began serving Faith as interim pastor on November 21, 2001 and remained in that service until July 11, 2004.
At a special Voters’ Assembly held on September 29, 2002, Faith make one of its toughest decisions ever: to close the Preschool and Daycare Center that was started in September 1994. The center officially ceased operation on November 1, 2002.
In November 2006, Faith officially joined the Ozarks Mission Action Group (OMAG) following nearly 10 months of participation in defining the mission and constitution and bylaws of the OMAG.
In April 22, 2007, Faith Voters’ approved application for a loan from Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) for $193,000 to repair/upgrade Faith facilities, both internal and exterior. Examples of repairs included replacement of the roof, parking lots, lighting in the sanctuary and narthex, carpeting, painting, addition of a reception center, and environmental improvements.
The Rev. Michael A. Edwards was installed as pastor on July 27, 2014.
On Sunday, October 31, 2021, Rev. Michael A. Edwards announced that he had accepted a call to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Cabot, AR.
Reverend Doctor Richard A. Foss was installed at Faith as interim pastor on February 27th, 2022. He completed his service as our interim pastor on Sunday, November 5, 2023.
Reverend Timothy J. Steckling was installed at Faith on Sunday, October 13th, 2024.
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1Trinity Lutheran Church, 75 Years in Review, 1985 (some parts of this history was taken from this document)
A ground-breaking service was held on June 27, 1982 to start the building of the new addition for Sunday School rooms and to remodel the present building, thus enlarging the sanctuary.Pastor Stenbeck preached his farewell sermon on August 8, 1982 as he had accepted a call to Paradise, California.
Rev. Gerald L. Thies served as interim pastor, and Rev. Marvin Lilie and Rev. Joseph Bragg served in other capacities during this vacancy.
The new addition was soon to be completed when the Rev. Leslie J. Mitkos, Jr. accepted the call to be Faith's new shepherd. Pastor Mitkos was installed on March 6, 1983.
Dedication services for the newly remodeled and extended building were held on May 15, 1983. Faith was truly blessed at this time with 409 souls.
Pastor Mitkos preached his farewell sermon on June 28, 1992 as he had accepted a call to Zion Lutheran in Staunton, III. The Rev. Wilfred Ziekert served as the interim pastor during the short vacancy. The Rev Andrew J. Spallek was installed as our minister on December 6, 1992.
In September 1994, Faith began a new outreach ministry in the form of a preschool with 12 children enrolled. The preschool children used the Sunday school rooms during the weekdays.
In August 1995 Faith called Deaconess Angie Reitmeier whose purpose would be to serve Faith and its members in the area of preschool director and Sunday School Superintendent. Other duties would include assisting the pastor.
In June 1997, ground breaking was held for yet another addition to Faith, a 10,000 square feet building which would house 3 new classrooms, a large preschool room, library, gymnasium, and large kitchen. The facility was dedicated on August 2, 1998.
In early 2001, Faith initiated its website: www.fls-s.org. That website effort continues today.
Reverend Andrew J. Spallek accepted a call to Salem Lutheran Church, Florissant, Missouri in early November 2001.
Reverend Erhard W. W. Wolf began serving Faith as interim pastor on November 21, 2001 and remained in that service until July 11, 2004.
At a special Voters’ Assembly held on September 29, 2002, Faith make one of its toughest decisions ever: to close the Preschool and Daycare Center that was started in September 1994. The center officially ceased operation on November 1, 2002.
In November 2006, Faith officially joined the Ozarks Mission Action Group (OMAG) following nearly 10 months of participation in defining the mission and constitution and bylaws of the OMAG.
In April 22, 2007, Faith Voters’ approved application for a loan from Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) for $193,000 to repair/upgrade Faith facilities, both internal and exterior. Examples of repairs included replacement of the roof, parking lots, lighting in the sanctuary and narthex, carpeting, painting, addition of a reception center, and environmental improvements.
The Rev. Michael A. Edwards was installed as pastor on July 27, 2014.
On Sunday, October 31, 2021, Rev. Michael A. Edwards announced that he had accepted a call to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Cabot, AR.
Reverend Doctor Richard A. Foss was installed at Faith as interim pastor on February 27th, 2022. He completed his service as our interim pastor on Sunday, November 5, 2023.
Reverend Timothy J. Steckling was installed at Faith on Sunday, October 13th, 2024.
____________
1Trinity Lutheran Church, 75 Years in Review, 1985 (some parts of this history was taken from this document)