By Larry Zelisko

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1202 S. Pioneer, celebrates its 70th anniversary Oct. 12-13, 2024.

Special guest will be The Rev Kelsey Fitting-Snyder, bishop’s associate for leadership formation and congregational care for the Northern Texas/Northern Louisiana Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

A barbecue meal will be served Saturday, and Fitting-Snyder will preach during Sunday’s worship service at 10 a.m. Fitting-Snyder was promoted to the synod office earlier this year. She previously served at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Waco.

Theme for the event comes from Matthew 16:18, in which Jesus says, “… on this rock I will build my church …”

Grace first met on Jan. 3, 1954, at the Elliott Funeral Home Chapel of Memories. The fledgling congregation continued to meet at the downtown funeral home until its sanctuary was completed later that year.

Prior to that first worship service, a district parish worker arrived in Abilene in the summer of 1953 to canvass the city to determine the need for an American Lutheran Church. The city, which was then booming as an oil exploration center and the future home of an air force base, had one Lutheran church – Zion Lutheran, a member of the Missouri Synod. The Rev. Clarence C. Ehler arrived in Abilene in October 1953 to organize the new American Lutheran Church and serve as its first pastor.

Two charter members – Lawrence Conrads and Jack Mergele – suggested the name of the congregation be “Grace.” Both had fond memories of Grace Lutheran Church in San Antonio. After a tie congregational vote, the church council decided upon the name. The other suggested name is lost to history.

Lots were purchased in the Elmwood West neighborhood and a parsonage was built. Groundbreaking for the church, the first in the new neighborhood, was May 2, 1954. A little over six months later, the building was finished, and was dedicated on Nov. 21. Cost of the church and education wing was $26,800, with members working nights and weekends building and painting. Additional facilities were built in 1958, 1961 and 1980.

Inside the cornerstone, which was laid on Aug. 8, is a Bible, Luther’s Small Catechism, a history of the Lutheran church in West Texas, coins and other items.

The church has supported many projects over the years. Early on, the church had one of the first Christian kindergartens in the city. For many years, the congregation participated in the Adopt-A-School program, providing monthly birthday parties for students at Bassetti Elementary, and food baskets for families at Thanksgiving.

Today, the church sponsors Cub Scout Pack 212 and Girl Scout Troop 7029. The congregation also provides space for the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church’s popular Baby Room, providing diapers and other supplies for families.

The church reaches out to the neighborhood with events such as Trunk or Treat, and recently members have started visiting Wisteria Place for game days with the residents.

The church’s vision statement is proclaimed during services each Sunday. It is “We are called to faithfully proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and trust the work of the Holy Spirit among us to lead us into our future.”

The congregation then responds, “Open our lips to preach, teach and live the gospel of Jesus for the sake of our world.”

Larry Zelisko is a member of Grace Lutheran Church