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Atonement Lutheran
Church of Missoula was one of nineteen congregations (one for
each geographic "Districts") organized in 1961 to celebrate the
merger of three national Lutheran groups into one: THE AMERICAN
LUTHERAN CHURCH. Each of these "Jubilee-Year" Churches was given
the name Atonement Lutheran Church.
 Atonement-of-Missoula's
first building was located at the end of 39th Street, about
where highway 93 is now. The building was moved to the present
location in 1967 when "93" was relocated.
Atonement's first Pastor, Palmer Gedde, planted this church
and nurtured it until 1970 at which time Peter Sethre accepted
the Call to be Pastor. From the end of 1972 until October of
1979 Atonement shared its worship facility with Holy Family
Roman Catholic Church. For many years after 1979 the two
congregations signed an annual covenant and worshiped together
on Thanksgiving Day. A Kindergarten (later a preschool) has been
a hallmark of Atonement's ministry to the Missoula community
since 1962.
After Pastor Sethre's resignation in 1976, Duane Ferchen came
from Conrad to serve Atonement. During the 1970's the
congregation sponsored several Laotian families in Missoula and
provided garden space.
In 1983 Pastor Ferchen resigned, and Tom Peterman was
installed as Pastor. A 1984 "facility needs assessment" affirmed
what everyone knew: Atonement needed an expanded worship area. A
year later a Building Committee was formed. In due time, an
architect was hired, funds were raised, construction commenced,
and by the time Pastor Engh arrived in January 1991, the "shell"
of a new addition, comprising worship and office areas and four
Sunday School rooms, was competed. Money was borrowed to finish
the interior, and in August 1991 the worship area, furnishings,
and pipe organ (purchased in 1985 from Our Savior's Lutheran
Church, Anaconda) were dedicated.
From 1994 - 1997 Kendall Stelter served the congregation as
Associate Pastor. In April, 2005, Pastor Jim Engh retired, after
serving the congregation well for 14 years. Following his
retirement, Pastor Jean Larson served as interim pastor for one
year. In May 2006, Mitchell Jones arrived from Seattle,
Washington and served as pastor until July 2009.
Sarah Meckler began serving as Associate Pastor in May 2008.
Beginning November 2009, Pastor Joel Westby is serving as the
Interim Pastor.
Last Modified: 11/18/2009 |
