n 1956 permission for the development of a new National Lutheran Church in Bellevue was granted. Army Chaplain John O. Larsgaard accepted a call to create the new church. A parsonage was purchased and ready for his arrival on September 1.

Organization of the church began with a Sunday School which included adult instruction class, Confirmation classes that met with the pastor at the parsonage, and a 15 member choir.

In 1957 the church was organized under the name St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Bellevue, Washington with a membership of 103. Construction of the church building began on September 15. By no means complete, the first service was held on Christmas Eve. Only one of the 154 members slipped off the entry planks into the mud.

Not everyone loved the church building when it was finished in 1958. Its modern design of pink, cream and later blue stripes looked more like a dentist’s office. However, everyone loved their charismatic Pastor. They were sad to see him answer the call to become Campus Pastor at Pacific Lutheran University.

Pastor Paul B. Pierson became St. Luke’s second Pastor in 1959 arriving in a bright red three-wheeled car. Confirmation students had a great time picking it up and moving it from place to place.

This was an era where women were formally addressed by their married names, they wore dresses to church with hats and gloves for special events while men wore suits. Church officers except the secretary were all men. Ushers and acolytes were boys
Strong, Healthy, and Growing – 1963-1971

The church was growing led in part by the adult Golden Band’s fellowship events. More room was needed. The Perkins property which included a home just north of the church was purchased. It would provide expansion for the Sunday School’s 206 students and room for more parking.

By 1966 plans were activated to build a new parsonage with volunteer labor and to build a new Administration complex with temporary Sunday School facilities. All members were requested to give 8 hours of volunteer labor to the building each month. After 9 years of members cleaning the church themselves, the first part-time janitor was hired.
Refurbishing programs included another parking lot, modernizing the kitchen and fellowship hall, the first carpeting in the Sanctuary, and best of all pews with cushions replaced folding chairs used during the first 10 years of worship services. New carpeting for the parish hall proved to be controversial. Its gold, orange, red, and black splashes looked fit for a theatre lobby. All agreed it did hide coffee stains.

The church building on top with its pink stripes.

Pastor Larsgaard, Herm Johnson and Pete Hansen with the first church sign.

The church was growing led by the adult Golden Band’s fellowship events. More room was needed. The Perkins property which included a home just north of the church was purchased. It provided expansion for the Sunday School’s 206 students and room for more parking.

By 1966 plans were activated to build a new parsonage with volunteer labor and to build a new Administration complex with temporary Sunday School facilities. All members were requested to give 8 hours of volunteer labor to the building each month. After 9 years of members cleaning the church themselves, the first part-time janitor was hired.

Refurbishing programs included another parking lot, modernizing the kitchen and fellowship hall, the first carpeting in the sanctuary and best of all, pews with cushions replaced folding chairs used during the first 10 years of worship services. New carpeting for the parish hall proved to be controversial. It’s gold, orange, red and black splashes reminded people of a theatre lobby. All agreed it did hide coffee stains.

1963 Church Service

Pastor Pierson

St. Luke’s was the first church on The Eastside to use a Lay Administrator to handle the details inherent to the administration of an organization with as many interests as a church with a budget of nearly $50,000.

The 1972 Congregational Report included the first mention of quilts being made by ladies of the ALCW, the beginning of a 45-year tradition.

In 1974 Home Bible Study groups of about a dozen people informally discussed the Bible. A new organ was purchased for the Sanctuary. Groups and families were invited to adopt parts of the grounds for upkeep.

The Communicator, a monthly newsletter mailed to the homes of members and friends made its debut in 1976. The Good Samaritan fund was established in order to provide financial assistance for people in need.

In 1977, St. Luke’s twentieth year, women were welcomed as Liturgists and Communion Assistants. Families took over the role of ushers. Two hundred people attended the celebration of all that had been accomplished in the church’s first 20 years.