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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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