Faith Lutheran Church, Topeka, Kansas

In the Beginning…

On May 11 th, 1948, 28 people began a congregation in, what was then, southwest Topeka under the guidance of Rev. Fred E. Duever. By summer, the congregation chose the name Faith Lutheran Church. The chapel was dedicated on June 19, 1949. Music has been an important part of life at Faith from the beginning.

A notice from 1949 reads: “Choir practice will be held next Friday, March 11 at the parsonage at 8:00 p.m. If the weather is wet, we urge you to come equipped with rubbers or boots. Planks are laid from the door to Gage, but even so, watch your footing. They are not too solid. We do not want anyone to get hurt.”

In 1951, Faith joined together with St. John’s, St. Paul’s, and Hope Lutheran congregations to form the Topeka Lutheran School Association.

Building, Choirs, and More!

Following Pastor Duever’s move to Crystal Lake, IL in September 1954, Pastor Paul Heckmann served as Faith’s pastor from 1955-1965. During this time, an addition was added to the original building which provided a larger worship space which includes a pipe organ, fellowship hall, large kitchen and Sunday School rooms. In 1959, a children’s choir was formed, for children in 5 th through 8 th grades, and practiced each Saturday morning from 11-noon. 1960 saw the beginning of a primary choir with over 40 children. Pastor Heckmann moved to Ft. Dodge, IA in 1965.

Pastor John Rath became Faith’s pastor in 1965. In 1966, the former parsonage basement was remodeled for more classroom space and the main level was used for the church offices. By 1968, Faith had three choirs (adults, juniors and cherubs) who served regularly in worship. During the late 1960’s, Faith became a training ground for future pastors as Arthur Wilde, Jay Frazell, David Carstens, and Fred Jordan served their vicarage/internship at Faith. They focused their energies on a youth and education ministry which continued to grow.

Expanded Staff for Growing Ministries

In 1970, Faith called Mr. Robert Lehmann as Director of Christian Education (DCE) to focus his time and energy in the areas of youth and education. He provided the continuity that was lacking while these areas were served by vicars. In November of 1973, Mr. Steve Sonnenberg succeeded Mr. Robert Lehmann and served at Faith until 1980 when he moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Mr. Alan Gunderman served Faith as DCE from 1981 through 1990 when he was called to serve as Executive Director of Christian Education of the Kansas District. In 1991, Mr. James Bradshaw began serving as DCE until he also was called to serve as Executive Director of Christian Education of the Kansas District in 2005.

The 1990’s - continued Growth under God’s Grace

In 1992-1993, we completed another addition to our building by adding an education wing. Many hours of volunteer labor by church members helped reduce the cost of the new wing and create a sense of ownership within the congregation.

Pastor George Bruening was added to Faith’s staff as an assistant pastor in 1992, following a full ministry as a church planter, pastor, chaplain and Kansas District President. Pastor Bruening retired again in 1995.

Faith’s Early Childhood Center opened in 1995 with Roxanne Bilfinger as the director.

Pastor Pete Tremain became Faith’s pastor in 1996, following Pastor Rath’s retirement from active ministry.

Faith created the position of Director of Music in 1997. Linda Laird, an organist and choir director at Faith since 1976, became the first person to fill this position.

Angela Mundt became our Early Childhood Center’s director in 1997, being succeed in 1999 by Judy Burget who retired in the summer of 2009.

A New Century

Marilyn Shults began serving in the areas of children’s ministry at Faith as a volunteer. Marilyn began serving as Director of Children’s Ministry part time in 1998 and was installed in 2001 and currently serves fulltime. Marilyn continues to faithfully serve this vital area of our ministry.

As God continued to grow our ministry, Pastor Nathan Schaus was added to the staff as Associate pastor in 2000 following his graduation from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. During Pastor Nate’s time at Faith, Contemporary Worship and Small Groups were added as important ministries. Pastor Nate served at Faith until 2004 when he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Faith was given a three octave set of Schulmerich handbells in December 2003 and began ringing as a bell choir on April 15, 2004.

Pastor Dave Hall joined our staff in 2004 as Associate Pastor.

Faith was been blessed with a Baldwin Grand piano and a three octave set of handchimes. Over the years, Faith has been blessed with donations of choir albs, children’s robes, three keyboards, a Baldwin Acrosonic piano, a djembe drum, and the energy, gifts and talents of numerous members.

In the Fall of 2005, Faith’s adult choir had the opportunity to perform in a mass choir in Carnegie Hall. They shared the Gospel in song through the cantata “What Child is This” under the direction of Dr. John Leavitt.

Growing in Faith: Moving Forward

In 2006, Faith purchased the two properties east of the church on 17th Terrace. The house farthest east was moved off the property and the “Hoffman House” is currently used for small groups such as adult Bible studies and Junior Youth Sunday school.

After completing a two-year study through the Kansas District LCMS, several of our members were completed the Lay Leadership Institute. Their role is to help the pastors and lead staff in worship, visitation of members and other duties as needed. Currently, we are being served by Jeff Lane, Paul Klotz, Martin Albrecht (lay deacons) and Mary Shaw (parish assistant).

Audrey Duensing-Werner was installed as Director of Christian Education in August 2006 and continues to serve today.

A new organ was installed and dedicated in 2007. Mid-States Organ Company worked for a year to build and install a pipe organ with three manuals, 21 stops and 24 ranks.

The lead staff at Faith changed a lot during this time. Linda Laird, music director and organist, retired in June 2007 after serving Faith for more than 25 years. Young Hee Chung was named Director of Worship Ministry in April 2008, overseeing all areas relating to worship and music.

Associate Pastor David Hall took a call to serve Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colo., in May 2008.

On January 25, 2009, Pastor James Bender was installed as senior pastor at Faith Lutheran Church. He previously served St. Stephanus Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minnesota for 17 years.

In December 2009, Stephanie Erickson was hired as the new director of the ECC, after the retirement of Judy Burget. In February 2010, the ECC officially became Faith Lutheran Early Learning Center.