Our History
Grace Lutheran Church was organized as Gustavus Adolphus Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1905 with Dr. Theodore Seashore as the first Pastor. The name was changed to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in April of 1925. In1918 church services were changed from the Swedish to the English language. The church parlors and parsonage were built at 404 Hemphill Street in 1909, and the sanctuary was added in 1912. In 1950 a new parsonage was built and dedicated at 2306 South Adams. This was sold in 1969, and the parsonage at 3729 Kelvin was purchased. The Fiftieth Anniversary of Grace was celebrated in 1955 and property was purchased for relocation on the South Freeway. The first phase of the new church was built and dedicated in 1957. On May 30, 1976, the cornerstone from the old church was moved and unveiled on the present property.
Grace’s Pilcher pipe organ was purchased in 1929 at a cost of $3,900.00 and was restored in 1985. Another dimension was added to the musical ministry of our church in 1986 with the donation of handbells, given in memory of Rosalie Crabtree and Vernon Anderson.
The ladies’ organization of Grace has been active in service to Church and community since before the official organization of the Church. In 1982 the ladies began presenting handmade quilts to graduating seniors. They still continue to give much to Grace Lutheran Church and to the community.
The Armed Forces Honor Roll was dedicated in 1943. We were thankful to have had only one Gold Star. George Malmberg was killed while in the service of his country.
One young lady of Grace, Hazel Minor, was the first and only member ever to become a Deaconess–this was in 1936. Ronald Peterson and John Jahran were ordained in June of 1963, and Kenneth Hovland in August of 1979. A former member, Dale Peterson, also became ordained in 1979.
The Reverends William and Beverly Allert became our first "clergy couple" in 1981. Grace recieved an official Texas Historical Society Marker in 1984. Remodeling of staff offices and conference room was completed in 1985, and after a fire in 1987, there was a major remodeling of the fellowship hall.
The “Nineties” saw the focus of ministry turn to children, with the first summer Day Camp held in 1993 and the dedication of the playground in memory of Helga Jahren in 1994. In1995 the congregation agreed that a third location for Grace was necessary. Therefore, property was purchased at 7900 McCart Avenue as the neighborhood abounded with young families. Grace believed this would lead to an increase in membership.
On September 19, 2005, the Grace Lutheran Church members took a tour of the previous sanctuaries.
Grace’s Pilcher pipe organ was purchased in 1929 at a cost of $3,900.00 and was restored in 1985. Another dimension was added to the musical ministry of our church in 1986 with the donation of handbells, given in memory of Rosalie Crabtree and Vernon Anderson.
The ladies’ organization of Grace has been active in service to Church and community since before the official organization of the Church. In 1982 the ladies began presenting handmade quilts to graduating seniors. They still continue to give much to Grace Lutheran Church and to the community.
The Armed Forces Honor Roll was dedicated in 1943. We were thankful to have had only one Gold Star. George Malmberg was killed while in the service of his country.
One young lady of Grace, Hazel Minor, was the first and only member ever to become a Deaconess–this was in 1936. Ronald Peterson and John Jahran were ordained in June of 1963, and Kenneth Hovland in August of 1979. A former member, Dale Peterson, also became ordained in 1979.
The Reverends William and Beverly Allert became our first "clergy couple" in 1981. Grace recieved an official Texas Historical Society Marker in 1984. Remodeling of staff offices and conference room was completed in 1985, and after a fire in 1987, there was a major remodeling of the fellowship hall.
The “Nineties” saw the focus of ministry turn to children, with the first summer Day Camp held in 1993 and the dedication of the playground in memory of Helga Jahren in 1994. In1995 the congregation agreed that a third location for Grace was necessary. Therefore, property was purchased at 7900 McCart Avenue as the neighborhood abounded with young families. Grace believed this would lead to an increase in membership.
On September 19, 2005, the Grace Lutheran Church members took a tour of the previous sanctuaries.