History of Memorial

The first chapel at Memorial was completed and dedicated in June of 1958 and in August of that year Memorial became a self-supporting congregation.

In January of 1966 the decision was finalized to begin construction on a new sanctuary. The sanctuary was completed and dedicated in November of 1966. At the same time, a small administration building was added with space for the pastor, a secretary, a very tiny conference room, no restroom, space for an assistant pastor or associate pastor, an additional office and work room. There was also a Sunday school room at the end of the building on the north side, which did not open into the office building.

On the last day of November, 1977, construction was begun on our first educational building. This was a two-story building consisting of four Sunday school classrooms on the second floor and four classrooms on the first floor with restrooms on the first floor.  Access to the classrooms was by way of outside stairways. This building was later incorporated into our present-day school building where the first through fourth grade are located.

At the same time a larger office was added to the administration building for the pastor, the tiny conference room was turned into space for additional air conditioning and a restroom.  The Sunday school classroom was converted to a church library with access from the office.

It had been the intention of the founding fathers of Memorial that Memorial would establish a parochial school.  After two attempts, Memorial Lutheran School was successfully established in 1980 and Ann Helms was installed as the first director. The school began with a Kindergarten and preschool classes, and each year added a new grade. In 1982 Mr. Ren Kunz was Called to be the first principal of Memorial Lutheran School. The A-Frame building was partitioned to make additional classroom space and meeting space in late 1982 or early 1983.

By 1987 we were hard-pressed for classroom space and undertook another building project. This project incorporated the Sunday school classroom building and added the pre-school wing, additional second story classrooms, the library and school offices, the gymnasium and kitchen.

In 1996 following Pastor Oesch’s retirement we Called the Rev. Scott R. Murray as our Senior Pastor. He was installed on October 6, 1996. In 1997, we Called J. Bart Day, graduate seminarian  from Concordia, St. Louis, to be our Associate Pastor.  He was Ordained and installed at Memorial on June 22, 1997. We have been continually blessed throughout these 50 years with pastors who are faithful to the Word of God.

On May 28,1999 we Called Cantor Janet Muth to direct and teach our music program in our church and our school. Music education begins with the two year olds and it is utterly amazing how they learn. In addition to band in the school, we now have choir, orchestra, and, in the middle school, chimes in preparation for hand bells and two handbell choirs. We have an adult choir and an adult handbell choir in our church.

Memorial can’t begin to count its blessings. We have much to be thankful for and to celebrate!

Soli Deo Gloria