The United Lutheran Church of Lake Lillian was established in May 2006. It is the result of a consolidation process of the Grace Lutheran Free Church and the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, both of which were located in the City Limits of Lake Lillian only 4 blocks apart. Both Churches were initially established in the 1800's in nearby rural locations. As the city of Lake Lillian was established, the churches were relocated to the city. The First Lutheran Church (ALC) was primarily of Swedish heritage and was moved to the city in 1925, where as the Grace Lutheran Church (ELC) was of Norwegian Heritage and moved to the city in 1943. Both churches eventually became members of the ELCA with the merger of the ALC and ELC.
Discussions in 1996 led to the formation of a 2 point parish in 1998. Over the years various groups that were separate within both churches began to unite into one. The Sunday school, the choir, the men breakfast/bible study and so on until consolidation of the two individual congregations was a serious contemplation. A committee was formed in 2004 by the Joint Councils to look into consolidation, and the resolution to consolidate the two churches was passed at the 2006 annual meeting.
This resolution was, "We the members of the Lake Lillian Lutheran Parish Coordinating Committee, duly appointed by the congregational councils and authorized by a vote of the congregations, recommend that the congregations of First Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church of Lake Lillian be consolidated into one new congregation and that the new congregation initiate plans to discontinue the use of the Grace building and parsonage and assign the assets from these properties to be used in addressing the needs of the new congregation as identified in the Report to the Congregations, with the goal that such a building project begin within the first two years of the new congregations existence."
The building project was developed and construction began in 2009. This $880,000 building project gave us a new fellowship hall and Kitchen, new onsite office space for the pastor and office manager, an expanded Narthex and handicap accessibility. Due to a very successful capital campaign we currently have less than $80,000 remaining on the mortgage for this project. There are also some current plans to do some sanctuary updates with this project starting in May of this 2014.
From the foundation and faith in the formation of two immigrant congregations in the 1800's in rural Minnesota, to the migration into the small rural town of Lake Lillian, to the formation of our two-point parish, to the consolidation into the United Lutheran Church of Lake Lillian, we have been blessed, guided, encouraged and re-energized by the Spirit to actively pursue God's will and to share His love and grace through worship, education, and response to human need. This is our mission. This is God's work and our hands.
Discussions in 1996 led to the formation of a 2 point parish in 1998. Over the years various groups that were separate within both churches began to unite into one. The Sunday school, the choir, the men breakfast/bible study and so on until consolidation of the two individual congregations was a serious contemplation. A committee was formed in 2004 by the Joint Councils to look into consolidation, and the resolution to consolidate the two churches was passed at the 2006 annual meeting.
This resolution was, "We the members of the Lake Lillian Lutheran Parish Coordinating Committee, duly appointed by the congregational councils and authorized by a vote of the congregations, recommend that the congregations of First Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church of Lake Lillian be consolidated into one new congregation and that the new congregation initiate plans to discontinue the use of the Grace building and parsonage and assign the assets from these properties to be used in addressing the needs of the new congregation as identified in the Report to the Congregations, with the goal that such a building project begin within the first two years of the new congregations existence."
The building project was developed and construction began in 2009. This $880,000 building project gave us a new fellowship hall and Kitchen, new onsite office space for the pastor and office manager, an expanded Narthex and handicap accessibility. Due to a very successful capital campaign we currently have less than $80,000 remaining on the mortgage for this project. There are also some current plans to do some sanctuary updates with this project starting in May of this 2014.
From the foundation and faith in the formation of two immigrant congregations in the 1800's in rural Minnesota, to the migration into the small rural town of Lake Lillian, to the formation of our two-point parish, to the consolidation into the United Lutheran Church of Lake Lillian, we have been blessed, guided, encouraged and re-energized by the Spirit to actively pursue God's will and to share His love and grace through worship, education, and response to human need. This is our mission. This is God's work and our hands.