Mission

To make Christ Alive and know His Joy by sharing his Love.

History

The history of St. Stephen Lutheran Church is really the history of two congregations, Hope Lutheran Church and Concordia Lutheran Church. These two congregations both started in the summer months of 1925, existed side by side for forty-eight years until June 3, 1973, when they merged to form St. Stephen Lutheran Church.

It was purely by the grace of god, the sure guidance of the Holy Spirit and the excellent cooperation of several people the St. Stephen Lutheran Church became a reality on June 3, 1973. Early proposals stated that the reason for the merger was "to provide unified Lutheran witness in Midlothian." A marvelous spirit of cooperation prevailed. Differences were resolved and plans for the first service of the new congregation was held on May 13, at which an interim church council was elected. Walter Dohl was elected the first president of the congregation. Pastors Ramsey and Rehrauer were called to serve as co-pastors of the new congregation which had a total membership of 1,035. On Sunday, June 17, 1973, the congregation broke ground for their new church on the corner of 147th Street and Kildare Ave. On March 31, 1974, the congregation moved into the new church and it was dedicated on Sunday, May 5, 1974.

St. Stephen Lutheran Church has been richly blessed. From it's small beginnings, in two struggling congregations seventy-seven years ago, in a sparsely settled farming community with muddy streets, it has grown into a thriving congregation, reaching into the community and the world in mission and service. This brief history has focused largely on the physical growth, on that which the eye can see. The inner growth, in the lives of people, isn't always as easily seen nor as simple to describe. But, this is clearly evident in the concern, the warmth, the generosity and compassion of many people of St. Stephen Lutheran Church.