Our Reedemer Lutheran Church

This folder contains a congregational historical record, a record of attendance growth, a booklet from the dedication service, a bulletin from 1976, a bulletin from 1979, a bulletin from the rededication of the sanctuary, a flyer and pamphlet encouraging people to come to the organization service, two bulletins from 1961, a newsletter from 1978, a schedule from a day retreat, various letters, a list of preparations for the Leadership Retreat, notes from meetings of the leadership, a ministry profile, an inventory taken from the fire, ministry reports from 1974, Board of American Missions report from 1973 ,two applications for program support from the LCA missions division, a ministry profile from 1973, a ministry profile from 1971, notes from the annual meeting in 1976, a report of the Parish life in 1975, annual meeting notes from 1975, LCA quarterly report from 1971, a 2001 celebration of ecumenical ministry program, church constitution, installation service for Gerald Larsen 1988 program, ordination service for John Patrick Eide 1980 program, book commerorating the 100th anniversary, and a newspaper clipping.

Following a survey of Hood River County in 1959, the task of organizing a new congregation was assigned to Pastor Ernest Vetter. Seventy-two people attended the first service on February 14, 1960, and the Sunday School began two weeks later. By May a site for the church was purchased, and on September 25, 1960 Our Redeemer was formally organized with 60 adults and 42 children. For the next 15 years the congregation grew and developed its ministry. Ground was broken for a new church in June of 1964. For eight years Our Redeemer and Shepherd of the Hills (Stevenson) were a joint parish. By December of 1974 the congregation became self-supporting. The first full-time pastor was called in 1982. The mortgage was burned in September, 1985.