About Us

Lutheran Church in La Salle existed only in the hearts of a few local people. There was no other American Lutheran Church congregations between Greeley and Northglenn, and many members at Our Savior's Lutheran Church lived south of Greeley. The first meeting of interested people took place in the early spring of 1977 at the First Presbyterian Church in La Salle. There was a great deal of ground work that had to be done to see if a Lutheran Church in La Salle would be supported and attended. Most of the early meetings were held in the basement of Carl and Tabia Stromberger's home. In June of 1977 plans began to interview and call a Pastor, and by July, Pastor Earl Johnson and his family arrived giving new hope and energy to the idea of a mission church.

During the summer and early fall of 1977, Pastor Earl Johnson made many calls trying to find out if people would come to the first worship service scheduled for September 11, 1977. The school gave permission to use the band room. Each Saturday night the band room had to be arranged and ready for Sunday morning worship. After worship all of the worship supplies had to be taken down and stored. For almost 4 years the faithful members would set up and take down the band room, trying to get along with cardboard boxes for collection plates and catalogs to raise and lower the piano bench. Communion trays and glasses were borrowed from Our Savior's Lutheran Church and a ketchup dispenser was purchased by Margaret Morris to fill them. Improvising was definitely a part of what it meant to be a mission congregation - struggling to exist.

Suggestions for naming the church were taken from members and voted on after worship until by process of elimination 'Shepherd of the Valley' was selected. On November 20, 1977 the name was taken from the suggestion of Tabia Stromberger.

During the long months of worship that were held in the school many tough times were mixed with treasured moments and events. Attendance had to be maintained at a level that could prove serious interest in the church, and new members needed to come in and join the effort. Plans for a location and a building needed to be discussed even without all of the proof of adequate membership and resources. This mission church now familiarly known as 'Shepherd of the Valley' turned out to be truly a test of faith in those early years of existence.

Even without a church, congregational life continued to grow with fellowship events, bazaars, numerous fund raising events, and joint Vacation Bible School with the La Salle Presbyterian Church. The goals that many worked hard to achieve became reality in the summer of 1979. A building committee was formed, and land was purchased on the west end of town. Ground breaking was celebrated on November 4, 1980. A procession that day was held from the school house to the land with banners held high and faces of all ages beaming with excitement. Carl Stromberger was the building coordinator taking care of daily decisions between the contractor, the architect, and keeping in compliance with the synod requirements. Large sums of money had to be gained before construction could begin. Pastor Johnson spend numerous hours contacting people and churches he knew for money, and church members did what they could to raise and save funds. Some even took out loans to help the church. The church building was ready for its first worship service on July 5, 1981. A great deal of hand effort by members went into painting, insulating, finish work and making the altar and pulpit, all of which reduced the total cost of the church. The facility was dedicated on July 30, 1981.

Someone's dreams combined with the tug of faith in God brought about the existence of a Lutheran mission church in La Salle, Colorado. Through the many years from that first worship service, September 11,1977, a great deal of ups and downs have taken place. That is the rich context out of which our faith thrives and grows. 'Shepherd of the Valley' has been - is now - and always will be a vibrant part of the La Salle community. We give thanks for the blessings from God for the many years past and many to come. May we grow in the grace of Christ as we all together face the years ahead.