History

First Lutheran Church began in the 1850′s when Pastor O.J. Hallestad gathered a group of Scandinavian immigrants for monthly worship.  On August 12, 1864, fifteen people officially gathered to organize the Scandinavian Lutheran Church of Muskegon.  Under the leadership of Pastor John Neesee, a church building was completed and dedicated in 1867.  The building was located at the corner of Hall and Prospect streets.

In 1872, after being forced by the railroad to sell the property, the church was moved to Giddings and Yuba streets in the Jackson Hill area.  The building was enlarged and a five room cottage was built.  The church joined the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.

In 1909 the church was reorganized and its name was changed to First English Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Even though the name reflected the congregation’s use of English in worship services, it was not until 1920 that all services were conducted in English rather than Norwegian.

On October 4, 1929, a fire destroyed the roof, pipe organ and interior of the sanctuary.  Reconstruction was completed in January 1930.

During the pastorate of Albin Fortney in 1953, property was purchased on Whitehall Road for the development of a new building.  The old building on Yuba was sold to New Hope Baptist Church.

While waiting for the completion of the new building, the congregation worshiped at the Curve Crest Roller Rink.  On Easter Sunday in 1955, the first service was held in the new church.  The parsonage was constructed next to the church building in 1958.

When L.O. Anderson was pastor in 1962, a new education wing was built to house the church’s growing education ministry.  This was the last construction completed until 2003 when the square footage of the building was doubled with the addition of a Family Life CEnter, an administration wing, and an enlarged narthex and kitchen.

The history of First Lutheran has brought a variety of changes to the location and structure of our building, but the building has never been the center of our ministry.  The center of our ministry has alwas been God the Father of our Lord JEsus Christ, whose grace has sustained this community through challenging and joyful times.  God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has prodded many faithful people to join the ministry that has been God’s gift to us.  These people, the members of the communion of saints, are what have made this community of faith such a vibrant and life-giving body of believers.

Pastors and Interns who have served First Lutheran:

1850′s  Pastor O.J. Hallestad (organizer for Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church)

1864-1867  Pastor John Neesee (Augustana Synod representative)

1867-1869  Pastor Jens Ivarson Krohn

1869-1871  Pastor Hans J. Bergh

1872-1874  Pastor S.L. Floren (also served Scandinavian Lutheran in Holton)

1874-1887  Pastor Abel Anderson (traveled by foot from Muskegon to Holton)

1887-1891  Pastor O.G. Baker (also served Scandinavian Lutheran in North Muskegon)

1891-1896  Pastor Kristian Skyberg

1896-1902  Pastor John Olson

1902-1903  Pastor J.O. Evjen

1903-1909  Pastor G.S. Vang

1910-1914  Pastor B.G. Steffanson

1914-1919  Pastor B.K. Salveson (served two parishes)

1919-1923  Pastor A.M. Rusten

1923-1934  Pastor Jersing Thompson

1923-1941  Pastor Edward Risty

1942-1949  Pastor Walter Olson

1949-1955  Pastor Albin Fortney

1955-1963  Pastor L.O. Anderson

1958-1968  Pastor William Humlie

1967-1977  Pastor Homer Marsh

1971-1974  Pastor Nels Magelssen

1977-1978  Intern James Roseland

1977-1989  Pastor Gary Hansen (became Assistant to the Bishop and then Bishop of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod)

1980-1981  Intern Ron Vert

1981-1982  Intern Norm Wangberg

1982-1983  Intern Miriam Knudson

1982-1984  Intern Bill Uetricht

1984-1986  Pastor Miriam Knudson

1987-1988  Intern Terry Breum

1988-1995  Pastor Tom Schutt

1990-1993  Pastor Gerald Ferguson

1996-Present  Pastor Bill Uetricht

1997-1998  Intern Paulette Cummings

1998-1999  Intern Wayne Knockel

1999-2003  Pastor Sarah Byl

2005-2006  Intern Thomas Montgomery

2006-2007  Intern Jeremie Vore

2009-2010  Intern Ken Staib

2010-2011  Intern Travis Wilson

2011-2012  Intern Ken Ranos