Crown Lutheran Church (Seattle, Washington) Records

Crown Lutheran Church has its roots in two former Lutheran Free congregations, namely Bethany Lutheran Church, organized in 1901 and Christ Lutheran Church, organized in 1903. Bethany congregation built their church at Fairview and John in 1922, and in 1930, the Ballard congregation dedicated their new building at 22nd Avenue N.W. and West 61st Street.

The two congregations decided to merge, the meeting for this merger was held at Bethany on January 17, 1956. The two congregations continued their normal worship services, as well as other activities, in their respective churches, but on June 17, 1956, the first joint worship service was held at Christ Lutheran Church, and from then on, all service was held at Christ Lutheran Church until Crown Lutheran Church was completed for occupancy, the first service being held on December 15, 1957.

For a brief period of time, Crown continued to be served by Pastors Rusdahl and Rundstrom as co-pastors. Shortly thereafter, having received a call from the church in Starbuck, Minnesota, Pastor Rusdahl resigned, and the call to serve Crown was accepted by Pastor Rundstrom in August, 1956 and he served until August, 1960. He was followed by Pastors James Peterson, Edward Olander, James Erickson, and Ron Soine.