History
The First Charter
Due to the rapid growth in the city of Phoenix, and increasing wartime attendance at Grace Lutheran Church, it was decided in early 1944 that consideration be given to the formation of a new mission in North Phoenix. The first service was held in Grace Lutheran Church on May 20, 1945, and by July 8 of that year, the mission was organized with 76 charter members. Those members, and others who joined them worshipped in Madison School until the Chapel was dedicated on February 23, 1947. By this time, the congregation had grown to 180 people!
Even today, descendants of those original 76 worship here.
Pictured here: the cover page of the bulletin from the dedication in 1947.
Adding an Education Wing
Increasing attendance and activities, especially in our Sunday School, resulted in crowded conditions and necessitated additional meeting space. By the fall of 1949, every possible corner of our chapel and parish house was in use. Some classes even met outside on the lawn. One group was forced to find refuge in the parsonage living room!
This lack of adequate Sunday School facilities, plus the need for space for congregational assemblies and other recreational programs spurred the leaders of Faith’s congregation to investigate possible plans to provide additional space.
In February of 1950, we broke ground and began construction on the education wing, and rapid construction meant it was dedicated a mere 5 months later, in July of 1950. This section of our campus now houses the church offices, and Faith Lutheran Preschool.
Pictured here: The original floor plan. The additional education wing was not originally in the plan!
Building the Sanctuary
We had always planned to build something magnificent. The design of Faith’s sanctuary is a modification of Spanish Mission architecture. With this new construction came cloistered walks designed to form a central patio.
The tower is tall, majestic, and topped with multiple-story arched belfries, which are surmounted by an iron cross.
The rose window above the altar portrays in the central medallion Christ praying in Gethsemane. The presence of the cup suggests the prayer, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done.” Surrounding the central medallion are the symbols of the twelve apostles. A flowering anchor separates the symbols in each of the outer medallions. The anchor is symbolic of Christian hope, blossoming into a beautiful and growing faith.
The nave provides permanent seating for up to 420 persons, while the balcony can accommodate up to 96, and even includes a sound-proof room for children to get their wiggles out with parental supervision.
Faith Today
While the building itself presents a beautiful history of the area, our congregation believes strongly in a relationship with our community, outside of “these four walls.” In the late 1980s, we partnered with ReconcilingWorks to become an official Reconciling In Christ congregation. We affirm that we are saved by grace through faith, and that all parts of creation are beloved by God, and therefore always welcome under our roof.
While membership numbers have fluctuated significantly over the years, we remain a healthy congregation of nearly 150 regular worshippers dedicated to our relationships with God and our Neighbor.
For more information about Faith, check out our Worship and Ministry pages.
The Organ Project
One of the parts of worship that has always mattered to the parishioners of Faith Lutheran Church is the tradition. In the late 90s and early 2000s, we purchased an organ from a university in the Midwest, transported it all the way down here, and then reassembled it in our chancel through the work of congregational volunteers. It took us a couple of years, but thanks to the hard work and dedication of the congregation, we now have a beautiful music program, spearheaded by Jim Sage, Director of Music Ministries.