A Brief History of Faith Lutheran Church (LCMS) of Richmond, Missouri
In 1961, a group of Richmond residents who were members of Grace Lutheran Church of Lexington, Missouri, attended a “Train Two” class held in Higginsville, Missouri. The purpose of this class was to have each member train two more. The idea of a Lutheran church in Richmond was underway.
In 1962, a women’s morning Bible class was organized and led by the various members under the direction of Rev. Andrew Kuring of Grace/Lexington. Later that same year, the women’s class became an adult Bible class which met in participant’s homes on Thursday evenings, every other week. In December 1964, Rev. Patrick Boots became pastor of Grace/Lexington and he continued to lead and guide the Richmond Bible class.
In March and April of 1968, this group met in the basement of the Exchange Bank of Richmond for Sunday evening Lenten services as well as an Easter Sunrise Service on April 14, 1968.These services were conducted by Rev. Boots along with Rev. Edgar Priess of Trinity Lutheran Church of Norborne, Missouri.
In the fall of 1971, a donut shop at the southeast corner of the intersection of Institute and Main streets in Richmond was converted into a church building by the members. On October 17, 1971, the first Sunday morning Service was held in that building with Rev. Priess conducting the Service. Seventy-four persons attended Services and fifty-one attended Sunday School, representing twenty-two family units. The congregation was known as a ‘Preaching Station’ at this time. Rev. Priess preached his last sermon to the Richmond congregation on February 6, 1972. On February 11th and 12th of 1972, an evangelism workshop and community canvas was held under the direction of Rev. W. Leroy Biesenthal, with all of the Carrollton Circuit participating. The meetings were held in the basement of the United Methodist Church of Richmond.
On February 13, 1972, the Richmond Preaching Station chartered to become Faith Lutheran Church – a congregation of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS). Charter members included: Jeanie Adams, Jeff Adams, Gordon and Rosie Benitz, Vicki Benitz, Jerry and Marian Berning, Lena Bryant, Louise Cusimano, Nora DeLaporte, Hulda Globensky, Elwyn and Emma Griffin, Buryl Griffin, Greg and Barb Hall, Jim Henry, Carol Henry, Kirby Henry, C.D. and Shirley Holtzen, Albert and Marcia Hoppe, Esther Johnston, Otto Letzig, Jeraline Long, H. Dale and Mardelle Marten, Steve Marten, Brenda Marten, Werner and Sharon Moentmann, Paul Rapp, Phyllis Rapp, Harold and Jane Strobel, Arlene Williams, and Carl and Wilma Witte. The ‘little lambs’ of the newly established congregation included: Angela Adams, Regina Adams, Janet Adams, Gary Benitz, Nancy Benitz, Jill Berning, Jason Berning, Helen Griffin, Regina Griffin, Robin Griffin, Mike Hall, Douglas Henry, Craig Henry, Becky Holtzen, Craig Holtzen, Christ Allen Hoppe, David E. Long, Kevin Moentmann, Amy Moentmann, Kim Moentmann, Denise Rapp, Rodney Williams, Chris Williams, Bradley Williams, David Witte, Carla Witte, Marcia Witte, and Duane Witte. Rev. Robert Carlton served as the congregation’s first Vacancy Pastor until June, 1972. Rev. Alvin Lange of Trinity/Norborne then served as Vacancy Pastor until September, 1972, with Rev. Oscar Tiemann serving until July, 1973.
On July 29, 1973, Rev. William J. Majer was installed as Faith Lutheran Church’s first pastor. Serving as the preacher and installer for the day was the Rev. Dr. Herman Scherer, President of the Missouri District. Under Rev. Majer’s leadership, the congregation purchased a parsonage in February of 1974, and, on March 18, 1975, the congregation purchased ground on East Lexington Street for its new home. With the purchase of the land, enthusiasm for a new building increased. On February 15, 1976, Faith Lutheran Church officially held its ground-breaking ceremonies and construction began on May 25, 1976. Serving on the Building Committee were: Gordon Benitz (Chairman), Otto Letzig, Charles Adams, Curtis Bye, A.E. Hockemeier, Dale Marten, and Werner Moentmann. On Reformation Day - October 31, 1976 – the congregation held its first service at its present location in the basement with ninety persons in attendance. Praise be to God! The building cost $116,000 and was dedicated on the First Sunday in Advent, November 28, 1976, with three separate Services. The first Service was at 9:30 with Rev. Edgar Priess as the guest speaker. A Communion Service was held at 3:00 pm with Rev. Dr. Herman Scherer, Missouri District President serving as the preacher, Rev. Oscar Tiemann, serving as the liturgist, and Rev. Al Lange of Norborne serving as the organist. An evening Service of Praise and Thanksgiving was also held with Rev. Leroy Biesenthal delivering the sermon and Rev. Robert Carlton serving as the liturgist.
Special gifts to the newly established congregation included: the hanging cross (by Nora De Laporte, Jeraline Long and David Long); a stained glass mural (by Marie Schnackenberg); pulpit, lectern, altar, and baptismal font (by Mr. and Mrs. Werner A. Moentmann and family and Mrs. Werner H. Moentmann); Communion rails (by the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Richmond); the stained glass windows in the chancel area (by Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Wharton); pews (by Otto Letzig, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Adams and family, Mr. and Mrs. Welmon Letzig, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Marten, Brenda Marten, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Henry, and Lola Payne Easley); furnishings for the pastor’s office (by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Johnston and Mr. and Mrs. Greg Hall); kitchen furniture and equipment (by Central Drug and Judge and Mrs. A.G. Cameron); floor covering (by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Berning and family, Mr. and Mrs. Don Williams and family; and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Adams and family); and oak doors (by Mr. and Mrs. Dale Marten and family). To God be the glory!
Following Pastor Majer’s departure from Faith in 1978, Rev. Donald C. Hinkel was called to serve as Faith’s second full-time pastor. Rev. Hinkel served until January 10, 1982. Rev. Keith Wellman then served as the vacancy pastor.
A Divine Call was extended to Rev. Calvin E. Reinke of Trinity Lutheran Church of Walton, Nebraska in February, 1982. Rev. Reinke accepted this call and was installed at Faith on March 28, 1982, by Rev. Dr. Paul Spitz, President of the Missouri District.
On February 13, 1983, Faith Lutheran Church became a self-supporting congregation, no longer receiving District subsidies. Thanks be to God for His abundant blessings!
On December 11, 1983, the congregation’s new pipe organ was dedicated. This organ was donated by the Hockemeier family.
On February 22, 1987, a 15th anniversary celebration was held with Rev. Leroy Biesenthal preaching at the Service and a potluck being held at the Eagleton Center.
In 1987, a preschool and day care center were started at the church by Sharon Forsha and Pam Reinke. This center remained open, serving the church and community for twelve years with the last day of operation on August 20, 1999. Those serving as Directors of the preschool and day care center during its existence included: Donna Shane, Robin Chowning, Claudine Snelling, Jodi Mckown, and Karen McMillan. Also working at the center over the years included: Lane Lee, Gwen Gilbow, Lori Jones, Linda Cline, Noreen Ward, LaDonna Markworth, Lisa Castilleji, Stacey Hudson, Lisa Imgarten, Donna Chowning, Ian Davidson, and Adelle Steele. Praise be to God for all the lives He touched over the years through this ministry!
On August 31, 1988, Pastor Reinke preached his farewell sermon at Faith and Rev. Paul Preisinger then began serving as our vacancy pastor.
On April 26, 1989, a Divine Call was issued to seminary candidate Mark S. Nuckols of Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, to serve as Faith’s next pastor. On the Sunday commemorating the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, June 25, 1989, Rev. Nuckols was ordained into the public ministry and installed to serve as pastor of Faith during a 3:00 pm Vespers Service. Rev. Dr. Paul Spitz, President of the Missouri District, served as the ordinator, Rev. Martin A. Pullmann of Winfield, Kansas served as the liturgist, and Rev. Carl E. Pullman of North Platte, Nebraska delivered the afternoon’s message of “Equipped” based on 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
In 1990, the congregation purchased a seventy foot wide section of land immediately to the east of the then current church property, stretching all the way from the northern to the southern ends of the church property. The hope was that the congregation would use this land to build an expansion to the east of the original building that would host a fellowship hall and kitchen, restrooms, and office space on the same level as the sanctuary. Plans were made for this addition including the hiring of an architect and the soliciting of construction help from Laborers-For-Christ, but after several years of discussion, the project was put on a permanent hold due to cost. The congregation still owns and maintains this additional land.
On February 16, 1992, the congregation celebrated the 20th anniversary of its founding with a potluck dinner and a Celebration Service at 2:00 pm. St. Paul Lutheran High School provided special music for the Service, Rev. James Kaltoff, President of the Missouri District, proclaimed the afternoon’s message, “Built on the Only Sure Foundation”, and Rev. Nuckols served as the liturgist.
In the spring of 1992, a cross made out of teak wood was installed outside on the back of the church building as the congregation continues to ‘lift high the cross’ of Christ to our community.
In May of 1993, an altar rail was installed in the sanctuary of the church, having been hand-made by Charles Brinkley and donated in memory of Ruth Thoeni. The sanctuary, nave, a portion of the narthex, along with the stairways, received new carpet at this time as well.
On January 1, 1995, Pastor Nuckols preached his farewell sermon at Faith having taken a call to serve as a chaplain for the United States Army. Rev. Drew Newman of Trinity Lutheran Church of Kearney began serving as the vacancy pastor for Faith.
On February 12, 1995, the Voters’ Assembly voted to call a candidate from seminary. That spring, the congregation received word that seminary candidate Charles D. Hudson was issued a call to serve as the next pastor at Faith Lutheran Church. On the Sunday commemorating the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, June 25, 1995, Rev. Charles D. Hudson was ordained and installed to serve as pastor of Faith.
During the fall of 1996, a 16’ x 27’ addition was added onto the north side of the existing facility in order to expand the narthex. Coat/storage closets for this addition were built by Charlie Brinkley. At the same time the addition was done, a new bell tower was built to the east of the previous bell tower.
On Sunday, February 16, 1997, the congregation celebrated its 25th anniversary with Rev. Majer returning to deliver the sermon. A celebratory dinner was held at the Veterans Building in Richmond.
During the summer of 2002, the parking lot was completed with concrete. This project had been ongoing for several years. Praise God for no more muddy feet!
On November 23, 2003, Rev. Hudson informed the congregation that he would be preaching his last sermon at Faith the following Sunday, November 30th. He thereafter resigned his Divine Call to serve Faith Lutheran Church and on July 20, 2004, Rev. Hudson and approximately thirty communicant members of Faith, requested that they be removed from the membership rolls of Faith over concerns regarding the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. This group formed a separate parish in Richmond – Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America. Rev. Walter Peckman served as Faith’s vacancy pastor during this time.
On February 20, 2005, the Voters’ Assembly voted to call a candidate from seminary. On April 27, 2005, the congregation received word that seminary candidate Jeremiah Johnson of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, was issued a call to serve as the next pastor at Faith Lutheran Church. On August 7, 2005, Rev. Jeremiah Johnson was installed into the pastoral office to serve Faith Lutheran Church. The Lord is faithful!
In September, 2005, members of Faith joined together to enjoy a potluck luncheon and fellowship as a celebration of the “burning of the mortgage” on the church.
On Sunday, December 10, 2006, the Voters’ Assembly approved the purchase of the Synod’s new hymnal – Lutheran Service Book. On Sunday, May 27th, 2007, the congregation made the transition from using The Lutheran Hymnal as our primary hymnal for Services to the new Lutheran Service Book.
In the spring of 2010, the congregation sold the parsonage at 308 Morningside Drive and purchased a new parsonage at 307 W. Dauxville Drive in Richmond.
In November, 2010, the congregation adopted the policy to celebrate the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. The previous practice had been to normally celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays.
On February 12, 2012, a Service of Celebration was held to mark the congregation’s forty year anniversary.
In the late summer of 2013, Pastor Johnson received a Divine Call to serve the congregation of Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota. Pastor Johnson accepted this call and preached his farewell sermon on September 29, 2013. Rev. Stephen Streufert began serving as vacancy pastor.
During a special Voters’ Assembly meeting held on January 5, 2014, the congregation once again chose to issue a call through the seminaries. On Call Day, April 29, 2014, we received the news that Candidate James Conrad of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, would serve as Faith’s next pastor. Rev. Conrad was ordained into the public ministry and installed as the next pastor of Faith Lutheran Church on July 20, 2014. Rev. Dr. Jeffery Gibbs, Professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, preached the sermon, and Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan, First Vice-President of the Missouri District officiated the Rites of Ordination and Installation. Rev. Conrad’s time with Faith would be brief however as on February 1, 2015, he resigned his Divine Call to Faith Lutheran Church, and on February 15, 2015, he preached his final sermon at Faith. Rev. Stephen Streufert once again agreed to serve as Faith’s vacancy pastor.
On February 7, 2016, the congregation issued a Divine Call to serve as her pastor to Rev. Troy L. Slater of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Herington, Kansas. Pastor Slater accepted this call and was installed during a Divine Service at 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 12, 2016. The Rev. Brian Thieme, Missouri District Fourth Vice-President was the installing official while Rev. Dr. Richard Marrs, professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, delivered the afternoon’s sermon.
In 2017, the congregation ‘adopted’ Rev. Jonathan and Deaconess Cheryl Naumann as our ‘Together-In-Mission’ partners. The Naumanns serve the Lord’s mission in the Dominican Republic and are supported by Faith through our prayers and financial support. This partnership has continued since.
During the spring and summer of 2017, the church playground was covered with artificial turf and new playground equipment was installed.
In 2018, a custom hand-railing with four crosses was installed for the sidewalk leading up to the main entrance to the church.
In early 2020, the world was struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, the congregation suspended in-person Divine Services and Bible Studies which lasted for seven weeks (including Holy Week and Easter). During this time the church held ‘virtual’ Services, recording the Service and then posting it on-line for members and ‘guests’. Private Holy Communion at the church was still offered to members of the congregation during this time. In-person Services resumed on Sunday, May 10th.
In preparing to celebrate the congregation’s 50th Anniversary, several remodeling projects were initiated for the church facility including new flooring and paint for the basement as well as the sanctuary area extending into the narthex. The pews were also refinished and given new upholstery.
On Sunday, May 29, 2022, Pastor Slater preached his farewell sermon to the members of Faith having accepted a call to serve Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Canton, Kansas. Rev. Brad Zerkel began serving as vacancy pastor a week later.
On Sunday, June 5, 2022, the congregation formerly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the chartering of Faith Lutheran Church during the regular 9:30 am Divine Service and also a Special Service of Celebration held at 2:00 pm. Rev. Jeremiah Johnson preached at the 9:30 am Divine Service and Rev. Mark Nuckols preached at the 2:00 pm Service. The choir of Trinity Lutheran Church of Norborne sung during the 2:00 pm Service. Rev. Slater served as the liturgist for both services. Light refreshments followed both Services.
By God’s grace in Christ Jesus, Faith Lutheran Church has humbly stood for fifty years (and counting!) as a congregation of God’s saints committed to the proclamation, teaching, and living out of God’s Word in our community and world. To God be the glory as we continue to walk by faith in our good and gracious God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)