Grace Lutheran celebrates 150 years

PEMBROKE, Ont. – One hundred and fifty years ago, thirteen families living near Locksley Station, south of Pembroke, met to form a new Lutheran congregation under the name Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The congregation celebrated that anniversary with a year of festivities, concluding with two services and a dinner on Sunday, October 1, 2023. The day started with a service at 10:30 a.m., where the guest preacher was Rev. Wayne Schroeder, the great-grandson of one of the first pastors who served at Grace from 1874-1879, Rev. H. W. Schroeder.

An afternoon service of thanksgiving was held, with six pastors taking part. Lutheran Church–Canada President Timothy Teuscher, who had served Grace as a vacancy pastor, was the guest preacher. The choir, led by organist Kim Blais, sang “It was Grace that Moved the Father,” which had been written for the church’s 125^th anniversary by a former pastor, Rev. Thomas Korcok, who served at Grace from 1994-2006.

President Teuscher was also the keynote speaker at the anniversary banquet after the service, where guests enjoyed a dinner and desserts with a German flair served by Schmidt’s catering. A beautiful 150^th anniversary banner was made by ladies in the church, created in two parts as a reminder that many different people are brought together by the Lord. A cedar arch was erected in front of the church with information about the services and the celebration of 150 years of God’s amazing grace.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran had its roots at old St. Paul’s, the first Lutheran church in the Ottawa Valley, which started in 1861. In 1873, a group of thirteen families followed Rev. F. W. Franke and left St. Paul’s and the Canada Synod over matters of conscience and doctrine, joining The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Upon leaving, they met first in the home of Gustav Meitz, and then built their first place of worship, which was replaced in 1901 by the present beautiful sanctuary that seats more than 260 people.

The present pastor, Rev. Paul Williams, has been serving Grace since July 2014. Grace is a congregation with a deep love for the pure Word of God and a commitment to proclaim that Word to the world. The congregation has grown from the original thirteen German families to 289 baptized members from all kinds of backgrounds, with an active Sunday School of 25 children, all gathered around the preaching of the Word and the Holy Sacraments, confessing the faith and drawing life and hope at Grace from God’s amazing grace.

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