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Life of Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church
A Synopsis of
Significant Events
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1956 |
Students from the Lutheran Theological Seminary
surveyed the Saluda Gardens area. The Reverend Virgil A. Cameron was
called as Mission Developer. Land was purchased for the new
church. A house/chapel was constructed. |
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1957 |
The following auxiliaries were
formed: Sunday Church School, Lutheran Church Woman and
Men and the Luther League. The congregation chose as its name
Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church. The congregation was
officially organized on March 24, 1957. |
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1961 |
Ground was broken for the church's first unit
in July 1960. This unit, completed in January 1961,
contained a worship area, Pastor’s Study, ten classrooms,
and kitchen and restrooms. |
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1962 |
Pastor Cameron resigned to become Pastor of St.
Paul Lutheran Church, Mobile, Alabama. The Reverend Earl H.
Loadholdt was called to Pastor. The church under his leadership
grew and became self-supporting. |
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1969 |
Pastor Loadholdt resigned to become the
Pastor of Advent Lutheran Church, Charleston Heights. The
Reverend Dr. H. George Anderson served the congregation until the
Reverend John Satterwhite was called. |
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1971 |
The congregation accepted the plans of the
Tarlton-Tankersly Architectural Firm (Greenville) for a new
sanctuary. |
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1973 |
The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new
sanctuary was held on February 11, 1973. |
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1974 |
The new sanctuary was dedicated on April 7,
1974. The Reverend Herman Cauble, D.D., Bishop of the SC Lutheran
Synod presided. A Zimmer Pipe Organ was dedicated on May 26, 1974. |
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1979 |
The Willett Stained Glass Studios of
Philadelphia installed faceted glass windows in the Sanctuary.
These were dedicated on June 3, 1979. |
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1986 |
In June Pastor Satterwhite announced his
retirement. |
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1987 |
The Reverend Gerald P. Wallace was called as
Pastor and began his pastoral duties March 15, 1987. |
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1992 |
The congregation saw the need to up-grade its
educational, kitchen, and fellowship facilities. |
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1993 |
The firm Architects BC, Inc. of Lexington was
selected to submit plans for the needed new construction and
restoration. |
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1997 |
The bid of the Frank D. Hall Construction
Company of Batesburg was approved by the congregation on May 18,
1997. The project cost was $1,015,623.00. A Groundbreaking Service
for this project was held June 1, 1997. |
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1998 |
The completed construction and renovation
project was turned over to the congregation in April 1998. A
joyous Service of Dedication was held on May 24, 1998. |
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2004 |
The twenty-first century has brought about
change especially in our Outreach Ministry. On April 6, 2002 the
congregation sponsored a yard sale to benefit Habitat for
Humanity. Two more such sales were held in 2003 and 2006 with all
of the proceeds going toward Outreach Ministries. (The three
combined yard sales brought in well over $10,000.) This church
continues to put back into the Saluda Gardens area through
various ministries including school supplies, God’s Helping
Hands, and a monthly community free lunch. Several spiritual
renewal events have been presented including a Preaching
Mission with Joey Bailey and Rick Carter followed in another year
with Ed Kilbourne in Concert. |
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In February 2003 Julie Corbett, a recent
graduate of the Lutheran Seminary with a Master of Arts in
Religion degree, was called to serve as an Associate in Ministry. |
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2006 |
The new Evangelical Lutheran Worship Book
was ordered by the congregation. It will be introduced in 2007.
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2007 |
Pastor Gerald P. Wallace retired and the search
for a new pastor began. Pastor Osborne Herlong served as interim
through December 31, 2008. During this period Bishop Herman Yoos
was elected and installed in the South Carolina Synod. |
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2009 |
Pastor Lance M. Henderson was ordained and installed as pastor. |
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Through these last fifty years,
this congregation has made a lasting impact upon the Saluda Gardens
area. The Gospel has been faithfully preached and this congregation
noted for its genuine ministry of love and concern for all has lived
by and taken the message of Christ into the community surrounding
the church.
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Contributors to this
Synopsis
Mrs. Gurnelle Coker
The Reverend John L. Satterwhite
The Reverend Gerald P. Wallace
Mrs. Julie Corbett, AIM
Mrs. Linda Griffith |
