Grace Lutheran Church History
The video was produced in 2002. Pastor Kevin Loughran has been serving as senior pastor since August 2006.
Here is the Church Bulletin from the Dedication Service on March 5th, 1961
Read the St. Petersburg Times newspaper story published on March 4th, 1961
Take a look at our virtual tour and see what Grace Lutheran Church looks like today.
1927
Rev. Robert C. Steinbach
1927: In September 1927, the Southern District called Rev. Robert C. Steinbach as missionary to St. Petersburg. He canvassed the city, and on September 18, 1927, E.C. Gale and other Lutheran “snowbirds” met in the former Masonic Temple at 519 Second Avenue South.
1927
1928
Nineteen communicants (five voters) initiated a drive, purchased two lots, formally organized the congregation and dedicated the new Sanctuary on November 4, 1928.
Services moved to the unfinished building at 28th Avenue and 8th Street North, now the American Baptist Church of the Beatitudes.
Services moved to the unfinished building at 28th Avenue and 8th Street North, now the American Baptist Church of the Beatitudes.
1929
The cornerstone was laid in January and the church was officially dedicated in February.
1929
1937
The church declared itself self-supporting.
1941
Debt was eliminated and Grace helped start First Lutheran in Clearwater.
1941
1949
The two-story parish building was dedicated on February 13, 1949.
A capacity crowd attended The Lutheran Hour Rally at Al Lang Field, with Rev.Steinbach hosting Dr. Walter A. Maier.
1955
Rev. Steinbach and Rev. Walker dedicated the nursery on February 13, 1955.
Rev. Steinbach died suddenly from a heart attack on April 20, 1955.
Rev. Steinbach died suddenly from a heart attack on April 20, 1955.
1955
1956
Interim Pastor Rev. Julius Walker died in January 1956.
Grace Lutheran School begins with 18 kindergartners.
Rev. Martin W. Rupprecht was installed on Sunday, February 26, 1956 (five years before the move to the current location).
Rev. Martin Rupprecht was called in February. Mrs. Rupprecht was commissioned by the congregation to supervise and teach a day-school kindergarten.
Grace Lutheran School begins with 18 kindergartners.
Rev. Martin W. Rupprecht was installed on Sunday, February 26, 1956 (five years before the move to the current location).
Rev. Martin Rupprecht was called in February. Mrs. Rupprecht was commissioned by the congregation to supervise and teach a day-school kindergarten.
1959
Grace Lutheran School enrollment was more than 100 K-4 students.
1959
1960
Ed Eggersmann accepted the call as principal of the school.
Two hundred and twenty-six students attend Grace Lutheran School in grades K through 6.
1961
The current 910-seat Sanctuary and nine-room educational wing were dedicated. Read the St. Petersburg Times newspaper story. You can also download the church bulletin from the dedication service.
The move to the 4301 16th Street North location took place on March 5, 1961. The new church was built to seat 910 people so that the entire congregation could worship together. However, 1,246 people came to the initial service and 100 were turned away, so a decision was made to have two services with Bible classes in between. There are 20 Sunday School classes and nine classrooms for the day school. The Fellowship Hall seats 400 and dines 300 with a fully equipped kitchen. An article dated March 4, 1961 describes the church as “the most beautiful Lutheran church in the South.”
In May, 116 pupils received diplomas for their graduation from kindergarten and the 1000th communicant member was received.
1961
1963
Rev. Walter Pinnt served as assistant pastor until 1966.
1965
Mrs. Ella B. Buenger donated funds for the 3-manual Schlicker pipe organ, and it was dedicated on October 24.
1965
1968
Mr. Edwin Temme was called as principal of Grace Lutheran School. He served until his retirement in 1998.
1969
The stained glass windows were given and a fire destroys the east wing.
1969: Rev. Robert G. Rupp served as assistant pastor for one year.
1969: Rev. Robert G. Rupp served as assistant pastor for one year.
1969
1971
Rev. Walter Reuning began serving as winter pastor and continued through 1983.
1973
Rev. Rupprecht retired and Rev. Edward Stammel was called to be senior pastor. He was installed on November 25.
1973
1974
Rev. Robert C. Haupt, Jr., arrived as assistant pastor, and was later installed as senior pastor in March 1982 after the death of Rev. Stammel in November 1981. Rev. Haupt entered his heavenly home in November 1985.
1981
Rev. Ervin Oermann served as assistant pastor until 1984.
1981
1982
Rev. Richard C. Noack was called as assistant pastor. He was later called as senior pastor in May 1986, after the untimely death of Rev. Haupt.
1985
Rev. Marcus Buuck served as winter pastor until 1998.
1985
1989
Rev. Stephen Bongard was ordained and installed as assistant pastor. He served until accepting a call in 1994.
1992
Rev. Noack accepted a call in December.
1992
1994
1993-1994: From May 1993 to September 1994, a building renovation program was in progress under Rev. Noack, which included a new roof, and a complete remodel of the music room and nursery. The north and east wings also had a second row of classrooms added to them to accommodate 380 students. Fellowship Hall was remodeled with the addition of the Alpha and Omega meeting rooms. There were also renovations to the church offices and additional office and meeting rooms added.
1994: Rev. R. Richard Armstrong was installed in April and served until accepting a call on July 25, 2004.
1994: Rev. R. Richard Armstrong was installed in April and served until accepting a call on July 25, 2004.
1995
Rev. John R. Hopkins was ordained and installed as assistant pastor and served until 1999.
1995
2001
The Growing with Grace campaign was begun with the intent to raise funds to help pay the annual mortgage and begin a process of planning for future financial needs.
2004
Rev. Richard Eissfeldt served as interim pastor until 2006.
2004
2006
Rev. Kevin Loughran was installed as the senior pastor in August.
2006
Rev. Drew Ross was ordained and installed as assistant pastor and served as assistant pastor until September 21, 2008.
2006
2010
Deaconess Amanda Bundy was commissioned on August 8, 2010.
2013
Rev. Jared Hartman was called as the associate pastor of youth and outreach. He was ordained and installed on August 11, 2013.
2013