–Guest writer: Jack Boller, Church Council Secretary
Mount Si Lutheran Church (ELCA) is celebrating its 75th year of worshiping and providing services to the Snoqualmie Valley community.
On January 23, 1949, the first service of mission congregation was held in the Community Methodist Church in Fall City, led by Rev. L. Myron Lindblom, Pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Seattle, which was the sponsoring congregation.
On June 19, 1949, the Mount Si Lutheran congregation was organized with 55 charter members, guided by Rev. Lindblom. The church name was chosen for the beloved mountain that graces the Valley. On March 12, 1950, Rev. Paul Gerlach was installed and served as the first full-time pastor. Services were held at the American Legion Hall in Snoqualmie, WA, from April 1950 – November 1951.
December 10, 1950, marked the ground-breaking service for the Mount Si Lutheran Church building in North Bend, WA, with Pastor Gerlach doing the honors. Construction began soon after. Labor was provided by members of the congregation who worked at their regular jobs during the day, then spent evenings and weekends at the church.
Everyone helped in some way to support the effort. The men of the church supplied the labor, and the women cleaned up and provided meals. The first worship service was held in the church basement in November 1951.
The congregation grew in numbers and faith during the early years of services held in the basement, with an average attendance of 112 at worship and 95 in Sunday School. The full church building and parsonage were dedicated in November 1952.
Over the years, the church has provided various services and outreach to the community. Currently, we grow a garden each summer that provides over 500 pounds of produce to the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank. We also have a presence providing free crafts for kids at the North Bend Farmer’s Market and Holly Days tree lighting event.
We have a Vacation Bible School every summer and a Harvest Carnival in the fall, both open to the community. Our group makes quilts that are sent worldwide to communities in need through Lutheran World Relief each year. For more than 23 years, we have provided backpacks full of school supplies to families in the Snoqualmie Valley School District each fall. In recent years, we have partnered with various organizations that help Mount Si Lutheran provide this much-needed service. This year, we handed out over 300 backpacks full of school supplies.
The Rev. Krista Johnson has been the Mount Si Lutheran Church pastor since Dec. 1, 2017. As Mount Si Lutheran continues to Serve, Reach Out, and Grow in Grace locally and globally, we invite you to join us as we celebrate 75 years.
The celebration program will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 3:30 pm, and a special worship service with Bishop Shelley Bryan-Wee will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 9:30 am. All events are held at Mount Si Lutheran Church, 411 NE 8th St., North Bend, WA.
Mount Si Lutheran Church has a full and rich history. If you would like to read more about it and see photos of its beginnings, please go to the website at mtsilutheran.org and click on About Us: History of Mt. Si.
In the shadow of Mount Si sits a small country church, wonderfully illuminated by the light of God. We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person with all your complexities, gifts, questions, and challenges. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world. We believe our mission is to serve, reach out, and grow in grace. ALL are welcome to join us in this quest.
We would love to worship with you any Sunday at 9:30 am. You are welcome here.
