First Lutheran Church

This folder includes a 1968 directory, a newspaper article regarding their 70th anniversary, bulletin from the dedication and recital with the new organ (1969), a brief history of First Lutheran Church, 1985 congregation directory, informational flyer from 1982, brief history bulletin from 1967, announcement and invitation to the installation service of Rev. Paul Hanson, bulletin from the 75th anniversary, 1981 annual meeting agenda, Pastor’s report, 1980 financial report, 1980 stewardship report, 1979 annual reports, First Evangelical Lutheran "family album," booklet for visitors to the church, 1983 church directory, 1983 annual report, 1987 annual report, 1984 annual program meeting, 1983 annual program meeting, and 1985 annual program meeting.

A. Gunberg arrived from Provo, Utah and held the first meeting of interested people on March 21, 1898 in Idaho Falls. Plans were made to organize a Lutheran Church on April 25, 1898 with the name “The Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Gustaf Adolphus Church.” By Christmas of 1900 they were in their own building. Thirty-five adults and twenty children gathered for the first annual meeting on January 2, 1899. On February 6, 1901 the congregation was admitted into the Augustana Synod. The first organ, purchased for $35,000 in 1899. The change from Swedish to English began around 1910, and in January of 1939 the congregation voted to construct a new church and to change the name to “First Evangelical Lutheran Church.” The new building was dedicated in September of 1941. In April of 1944 the congregation celebrated its 50th Anniversary with the burning of the mortgage. In the late 1940s an influx of people into the area caused the baptized membership to exceed 400. Growth in the area was a result of the Atomic Energy Commission’s new site in the desert west of the city. In 1956 ground was broken for a new education wing, and dedication followed one year later. In January of 1960 the chancel area was renovated, and on the 75th Anniversary of the congregation (1973) the last mortgage was burned. Growth of the congregation continued until it became the largest of the twelve LCA congregations in Idaho.