Grace Lutheran Church ELCA 104 S Colfax West Point, NE 68788 gracewpn@hotmail.com

Grace is the WELCOME PLACE!!

History

    The story of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Point, Nebraska began in 1874.  On a beautiful Sunday morning, October 18, after an inspiring worship service, 19 members of the Lutheran Church in northeastern Nebraska and members of area Lutheran churches met with a dream of bringing an Evangelical Lutheran Church to West Point.
    Articles of organization were presented by Pastor J.F. Kuhlman, a missionary pastor.  Officers elected were Uriah Brunet, Elder; Stephen Person and C.V. Bayha, Deacons.  On April 1, 1877, a special church council meeting resulted in an application to the Board of Home Missions for aid, which was granted in the amount of $150.
    The group was reorganized by Reverend J.H. Zimmer, October 15, 1877 and until 1889 was called Evangelical Lutheran Church, or English Lutheran Church, and was a Home Mission Church for 20 years.  In 1894, the church became sefl-sustaining.
    In 1885, a frame church was built on the southeast corner of Bridge and Lincoln streets, just two blocks from the present church.  The church was dedicated August 6, 1985.  Four years later, it was enlarged.
    Grace Lutheran Sunday School was organized August 23, 1885 and was held in Krause's Hall, one block south of the present church.  The first parsonage was built August 20, 1899, the first money - $12.50- was sent to the Board of Home Missions.  This showed the church was self-supporting.
    The church council called a congregational meeting October 29, 1912 to consider building a new church.  At a meeting on December 12, 1912, the council purchased lots 7-8, Blk. 84 as a new church site.  The present Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church was erected in 1913 at an initial cost of about $25,000 and was dedicated December 28, 1913 with seating for 350.  The pipe organ and large glass windows were given by Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Krause as a memorial.  The walnut pulpit, font and hymn board were brought from the old church building.  The chimes were dedicated in December, 1937.  They were a gift from Walter Reeson as a memorial to his wife.  The chimes are still used each Sunday morning as a "call to worship".
    Grace Lutheran continued to grow and on December 14, 1958, the two-story educational wing was dedicated.  It housed Sunday School rooms, the church library, offices, and the social gathering place (Fireside Room).
    The congregation built a new parsonage just south of the present church building in 1949.  The front entrances to the church were remodeled and were dedicated August 20, 1967.  In 1972, the sanctuary was remodeled and redecorated on April 29, 1973.  The parish hall was renovated and stained glass windows added in 1982.  The hall has received much use over the years for church events and community affairs.  In November, 1991, stained glass windows in the sanctuary were reframed.  Grace Lutheran Church has indeed experienced many physical changes.
    As the building grew, so did the organizations of the church.  On October 20, 1889, the Ladies Aid, now known as Women of the Evangelical Church in America, was formed.  The Hope, Faith, Loyalty, Joy, and Friendship circles, which continue to meet monthly for Bible study and fellowship, were started.  Sunday School started in 1885 and continues to thrive.
    The beginning of Vacation Bible School is not known, but it is held in August and educates over 100 West Point youth.  The Grace Lutheran choir started with eight members in the 1890's and currently boasts 25 members who sing two times each month.  Other organizations that have served through the years are bell choirs, junior and senior Luther leagues, senior fellowship, SOS groups, church council, men of the church, pre-school, ChiRho kids club, church bowling and softball teams, church missionaries and ministerial support associations.
    In the past 125 years, Grace Lutheran Church has been served by outstanding pastors:
 

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