From A Storefront Chapel

Our History –

In December, 1965, the Rev. John H. Eckhardt, with the approval of the Board of American Missions of the Lutheran Church in America, was called to Greenville to develop a new congregation. The first worship service was held on May 29, 1966, in a small store front chapel at 2710 Washington Street with 30 prospective members and visitors present. The charter was signed by 56 people on September 25, 1966. In December 1966, 1.3 acres of land was purchased on Loop 380 East at 2311 Ridgecrest Road as the eventual home of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

On May 21, 1967, the congregation was formally organized as the 100^th congregation of the Texas -Louisiana Synod of the Lutheran Church in America. Dr. Philip Wahlberg, Bishop of the Synod, was present to welcome the 101 adults and children into membership. The congregation approved a building program and held a "ground-breaking" service at the church site on February 24, 1968. On August 4, 1968, the first service of worship and Holy Communion was held in the new church building which was formally dedicated the following Sunday.

Other significant events included our 25^th anniversary in May 1992; the dedication of the stained-glass windows on November 22, 1992; construction of the fellowship hall and enlargement of the sanctuary begun in October 1995 and their dedication on Palm Sunday, March 31, 1996, with Assistant Bishop Earl Eliasson present.

An addition to the parking lot was completed and dedicated in June 1999. In 2001, parents of the congregation installed a new play-set for our children. In 2002, Cory Griffiths, for his Eagle Scout project, designed and coordinated the installation of a new sign on the front lawn.

At the 35^th Anniversary Celebration on May 26, 2002, Rev. Marc Hander proclaimed the gospel and affirmed God’s faithfulness and Redeemer’s response to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:11) by recounting that (to date) there have been 205 persons baptized and 202 who have affirmed their baptism & confirmed their faith since the beginning of Redeemer. Currently there are 178 baptized (children youth, & adults) and 140 (youth & adult) confirmed members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. A Japanese Maple was dedicated as a sign of God’s continual creative and redemptive works through Redeemer. The day was celebrated with a good ol’ fashioned cook-out.

Pastoral History of Redeemer

(dates reflect the beginning of their call at Redeemer)

May 1966 Rev. John Eckhardt

December 1969 Rev. Ben J. Warrenburg

mid-1972 Seminarian Wayne Walthers

late-1972 Rev. Dennis Schurter

January 1974 Rev. Karl Brockhaus (part-time)

February 1975 Rev. Stanley J. Meyer

January 1982 Rev. Leroy Wing (interim)

mid-1982 Rev. Mark Weber

mid-1983 Rev. Richard Brunk

mid-1987 Rev. Stephen C. Kanouse

November 1995 Rev. Wm. Clayton McCord

February 2001 Rev. Marc L. Hander

(revised Jun 2006)

May 1966	Rev. John Eckhardt
December 1969	Rev. Ben J. Warrenburg
mid-1972	Seminarian Wayne Walthers
late-1972	Rev. Dennis Schurter
January 1974	Rev. Karl Brockhaus (part-time)
February 1975	Rev. Stanley J. Meyer
January 1982	Rev. Leroy Wing (interim)
mid-1982	Rev. Mark Weber
mid-1983	Rev. Richard Brunk
mid-1987	Rev. Stephen C. Kanouse
November 1995	Rev. Wm. Clayton McCord
February 2001	Rev. Marc L. Hander