Celebrating our 75th year in serving the West Toledo area and surrounding communities.
- The congregation of the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour has its beginnings in the 1940s: Members of area Lutheran congregations felt there was a need for a Lutheran ministry in the area known as Trilby. James Amos, a seminarian, was called to survey the area; a Lutheran service was first held on June 2, 1947 at Trilby Elementary school, once located on Secor road near Alexis in West Toledo. Months later, on October 5, 1947, 144 persons were recognized as charter members, and the congregation moved to the Trilby fire hall, also once located on Secor road near Alexis. James Amos was called to be the congregation’s first pastor following his ordination in 1948. His ministry with the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour continued until 1954. The congregation grew during his ministry, necessitating the need for a permanent space.
- During the years of Pastor Amos’s ministry, a small frame building was constructed as plans were made to build a more permanent structure to accommodate the growing congregation. By 1950, the congregation had grown to approximately 500 members, and a two-story church was built on the property at 2820 W. Alexis road. In 1955, The Lutheran Church of Our Saviour’s second pastor, Richard Smith, began his ministry. In the next fifteen years with Pastor Smith, the congregation continued to grow in membership and space.
- In 1959, a property agreement resulted in the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour receiving full Alexis road frontage in exchange for thirty feet of property on the north. This gave the church approximately five acres of land. A major building program was completed at a cost of $154, 626: the present nave and a space for education was dedicated in 1960. Additional building and property improvements followed in the 1960s, including the parking lot in 1962. The fellowship hall, classrooms, and office area were completed at a cost of $227,555 and dedicated in 1967. During the 1960s, the church grew to 950 members, and Mr Norman Schlegel served as a parish assistant.
- A pilot program in Christian education from 1968 to 1970 developed; Rev. Richard Bowen was called to serve as Christian Education Director on a shared basis with the local congregations of Olivet and Reformation. The membership of the congregation grew to over 1,000 members.
- Rev. Robert Kelly was called as the congregation’s third full-time pastor in 1970. During the 1970s, an internship program developed, and four students from Philadelphia seminary served a one-year internship at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour: Carl Mangold (1973-1974), James Jerge (1974-1975), Warren Reichert (1975-1976), and Mark English (1976-1977). In 1977, Warren Reichert was called to return as a full-time associate pastor; in 1982, a co-pastorate including Pastor Kelly and Pastor Reichert was established.
- The Lutheran Church of Our Saviour continued to grow in the 1980s. The congregation came together to recognize Pastor Kelly’s 25th ordination anniversary in 1982; to support missionary Pastor William Gorski in Santiago, Chili in 1983; to realize a debt free, mortgage burning, in 1984; and to expand the program staff with the addition of Deaconess Darlene Doer, who served in the areas of youth ministry, education, and pastoral care.
- Additional celebration and growth continued in the 1990s: The anniversary of Pastor Kelly’s 20th year with the congregation and an installation of a brick sign along Alexis road were both recognized. Additional improvements to the building during this time included a new hot water heating system to the Nave and restrooms in 1991. The project was completed by Wells & Associates for approximately $30,280 and was financed through loans from members of the congregation.
- Pastor Kelly retired in 1992 after 22 years of serving as the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour’s pastor, and the church experienced many transitions in the years that followed. Pastor Reichert continued as senior pastor. In 1992, support began for a new missionary in Mexico, Jan Tollefson. Joining the congregation in 1992, Pastor William Paul served as part time interim/assistant pastor until 1993 when Pastor Keith Baker was called as associate pastor. Pastor Reichert’s years of service concluded with the congregation in 1994 followed by Pastor Baker in 1997. During a time of transition, two interim pastors served the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour: Bob Johnson from 1997-1999 and John Ferne from 1999-2000. Pastor Richard Sauerlender was then called in 2000 to serve as pastor.
- During the years of Pastor Sauerlender’s ministry, changes and improvements continued, including the front porch being rebuilt. A new sense of community outreach thrived with Wednesday night services in the fellowship hall, which were preceded by a community meal often serving around 80 people. In 2004, members of Christ Lutheran Church joined the congregation: A memorial was placed in the narthex in their honor. In 2013, a non-profit group called Nightingale’s Harvest began calling part of the space home; the organization serves cancer patients and their families. Pastor Sauerlender’s ministry with the congregation concluded in 2013, and Pastor Brenda Peconge began serving as a supply pastor. Pastor Peconge was called to serve as pastor in 2014.
- In the years with Pastor Peconge, the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour continued its focus on community outreach through its support of organizations: Nightingale’s Harvest established a community garden on the north side of the property; Wednesday night meals served neighbors in the community; the local schools sought the church as a safe gathering place for drills and parent use for school pick up and drop off; block watch used the space for community meetings; the church has served as a welcome place for members in the community. Members of the congregation once again came together to fund a costly improvement to preserve the building for future members of the congregation: The roof was replaced on the two peaks (the original church and the current sanctuary) at a cost of $85,000. In 2020, the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour faced a great challenge: the Covid-19 pandemic. With Pastor Peconge’s guidance, the church council navigated an uncertain time. Following all government and health guidelines, a difficult decision was made to suspend in-person services temporarily. New technology enabled members to stay in contact with Pastor Peconge hosting Wednesday night prayer and devotion times and livestreaming Sunday services. Once in-person services resumed, Sunday livestream services continued as another form of community outreach. The congregation celebrated Pastor Peconge’s 25th ordination anniversary in the Fall of 2021 as her ministry with the congregation concluded.
- Currently Pastor Adam Bohland is working to inspire LCOOS. We look forward to a vibrant next chapter that is still unfolding.