Our Savior's Lutheran Church

This folder contains a congregational historical record, a booklet from the installation of Heidi Fish, a booklet from the 50th anniversary, various letters, a signed release to the will of P. P. Lee to Pacific Lutheran University, various bulletins, a booklet from the 75th anniversary, a copy of “The Call” newsletter from 1963, a booklet from the dedication of the new church, a booklet encouraging giving towards a new building, a booklet from the church in Norwegian, letters of call, a report from the president, a congregational statistical record, a roster of confirmants 1962, modified budget proposal for 1967, notice to the members of the church, a resolution to change and amend bylaws, proposed budget 1967, and church voting ballots.

The early history of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church is the story of two pioneer congregations. August 17, 1890 saw the preliminary meeting for the organization of the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Church of Fairhaven, Washington, with Rev. Ole Amundson in charge. Our Saviour’s Evangelical Lutheran Church saw its beginning on April 2, 1891 with the Rev. L. C. Foss, whose missionary field was the state of Washington and the Province of British Columbia. These two congregations merged in 1917 to become the present Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. There have been several buildings used by the Lutherans of South Bellingham. The Norwegian/Danish congregation built its first house of worship in 1891 on the hill above Nineteenth Street. In 1908 this building was moved to Mill Avenue and Nineteenth Street, where it served the congregation until the union in 1917. Our Saviour’s congregation began their work in the school house on McKenzie at Seventeenth Street. From 1894 to 1900 they worshipped in a converted store on Donovan Avenue. In 1900 a lot was procured and a church built, which served them until 1913 when a new church was built. The parsonage was built adjacent to the church in 1930. A parish unit was added to the church in 1950. In 1959 a building fund drive was begun, and on Easter Sunday, April 22, 1962 the new church was dedicated.