1899        Started as a mission church.  Services were in both German and English.

1903        Mission was reorganized, a constitution adopted and the current congregation began.

1906        Present property was purchased for $7,000.
         A school house was purchased for $500 and moved to this site.  

1924        Present “old brick” structure was erected at a cost of $65,000.  
         While it was being constructed Lorain was hit by a major tornado.  
         A soup kitchen was started and promised to stay open until it was no longer needed (cf. later dates)

1953        Additional land was purchased as more room was needed for the congregation.  
         A second worship service was instituted.

1963        An additional education unit was built adjacent to the original building
         to accommodate growing educational ministry.

1970        A hand crafted, tracker type organ was built at a cost of $55,000 (it is now valued at $750,000).  
         It has 2,062 pipes and took 18 months to build.

1975        The Lorain Cooperative Lutheran Ministry started a Senior Taxi service.  
         Meals on Wheels was started to provide food for elderly people in their homes.

1984        Monthly distribution of food bags for neighbors was started through the Lutheran/Presbyterian
         food co-op.  Individual vouchers for help began through the LEAF program.

1986        An early morning, 7:45a.m., quiet service was added during the summer months.

1987        A prayer chain was started so any member, during an emergency would know they were
         being prayed for.  We began the celebration of Holy Communion every Sunday.

1991        An elevator was installed and air conditioning provided in the sanctuary so all members of
         the community could worship in year round comfort and health.

1992        Pastor Bennet Wilson of Ghana received hip surgery in the USA while he stayed with
         First Lutheran Church.  Upon his return in 1993 a new mission congregation was started in
         Akrampa, Ghana, as an extension of our outreach ministry.

1994        The 7:45a.m. service became a year round celebration.

1995        A part time Family Life/Youth director was called to continue our expanding youth ministry.

1996        The final property on the block around the building was purchased for additional parking.

2000        The Good Shepherd Congregation on the East Side of Lorain merged with the
         First Lutheran Church Congregation.

2001        The Chapel in the Woods was built at our Good Shepherd site.

2002        A fourth outdoor worship service was added in the Chapel in the Woods during the summer months.


A Brief History Of  
First Lutheran Church, Lorain