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| Early 1962 |
Feasibility study for establishment of Lutheran Church in New Canaan. Initiative by Pastor Bernhard Johnson of St. John's Lutheran Church, Stamford, and the Board of American Missions of the Augustans Lutheran Church, USA. |
| August 1962 |
"Old" St. Mark's (built 1833) on God's Acre purchased from St. Mark's Episcopal Church for $90,000. Property included church and attached education building, the parking area immediately to the rear of the church, and the "Ludlow House", presently the New Canaan Historical Society. |
| August 20, 1962 |
Pastor Wayne E. Johnson (deceased April 1993) arrives on call by Board of American Missions, to gather potential members, appoint steering committee, and plan for organization day. |
| September 30, 1962 |
The first service, Choral Vespers, to be held in the reopened church for the "new mission". September 30 is the day after St. Michael's Day, hence the congregation's name. |
| January 1963 |
The Augustana Church merged with other Lutheran bodies to form the Lutheran Church in America. |
| May 5, 1963 |
St. Michael's formally organized Sunday morning with the Rev. O. Karl Olander, President of the New England Synod, delivering the sermon. In the afternoon the first business meeting included adoption of the constitution, election of Council, authorization of Council to purchase property from Board of Missions. |
| June 1963 |
An exchange of properties between St. Michael's and the Historical Society. St. Michael's acquired nearly an acre of land from the Society to be used for additional parking, while the Society acquired the former "Ludlow House" which was in a state of grave disrepair. |
| Early years |
The young congregation soon attracted members from surrounding communities of Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford, Pound Ridge and Westport. Struggle and anxiety characterized the early years, but the perseverance and dedication of the first families eventually prevailed. |
| 1966 |
Pastor Johnson purchased a bell from New York, New Haven and Hartford Railway Company, which he presented in memory of his father, for installation in the steeple. |
| March 1971 |
Pastor Jules J. Auger installed as pastor and Pastor Albert L. Haversat installed as his associate. |
| August 1973 |
Pastor Auger departs to accept a counseling position in Florida, while Pastor Haversat continues as associate until a new pastor's arrival. |
| Palm Sunday, 1974 |
The Rev. Fredrick E. Erson, Executive Secretary of the Lutheran Welfare Association of New Jersey becomes the new pastor, serving the next 5 years. Membership had reached about 250. |
| 1974 |
Fifth grade children were admitted to the Lord's Table. |
| 1978 |
The new Lutheran Book of Worship was introduced. |
| 1979 |
The position of part-time Director of Education was established and was ably fit by Karen DeWerth. |
| November 1979 |
Pastor Erson resigns to become Associate Director of Family Service with the Lutheran Service Association of New England. |
| 1980 |
Synod appoints the Rev. Paul D. Kennedy to serve as vice pastor for the year-long vacancy. Painting of interior and exterior of church and lower parking lot paved. |
| November 30, 1980 |
The Rev. Elwood L. Stark is installed as the new pastor, arriving from Zion Lutheran Church, Indiana, PA. |
| 1983 |
Preparation for 20th Anniversary: remodelling of the narthex and steeple gallery with new coffered ceiling, cove lighting, built in cabinets and the restoration of the gallery stained glass windows. |
| May 1983 |
Major celebration of 20th Anniversary, May 15-22, including a shared Eucharist with St. Mark's at St. Michael's commemorating the 150th of the sanctuary, a Gala Banquet at the Country Club, a Family Day Celebration featuring our 3 choirs, a Benefit Auction under a tent for the preservation of the steeple, and a 20th Anniversary Eucharist with Pastor Bernard Johnson preaching. |
| 1984 |
Building Anew to Serve" Fund Appeal, under the direction of Lutheran Laymen's Movement (LLM) to fund Parish Hall Renovation & Expansion and the new organ. |
| November 1985 |
Dedication of Parish Hall |
| October 1986 |
"Forward in Strength" Fund Appeal, again directed by LLM, to extend the campaign and determine feasibility of a parsonage project. |
| November 1986 |
Groundbreaking for parsonage. |
| May 1987 |
Dedication of parsonage by Bishop Harold Wimmer of the New England Synod. |
| May 14, 1988 |
Silver Anniversary Dinner at Woodway Country Club, Darien. |
| September 11, 1988 |
25th Anniversary Giant Church Picnic on our church grounds on Homecoming Sunday. |
| December 1988 |
Ordination of Sarah Henrich as Assistant Pastor by Bishop Robert Isaksen to serve until her departure in May for Chicago as seminary professor. |
| July 1989 |
Cooking and serving hot Sunday Suppers at Westport Homeless Shelter by St. Michael's volunteers begun at initiative of Helen Stauderman. (This still continues.) |
| September 1989 |
Dedication of the new Stephen Russell Pipe Organ. |
| 1990 |
Stage 1 of the sanding and repainting of the Church. |
| May 1991 |
St. Michael's Cookbook published by Churchwomen. |
| 1991 |
Stage 2 of the sanding and repainting of the Church. Cost of total project $85,000. |
| January 1992 |
New cushions for pews dedicated. |
| August 1992 |
New flooring and carpeting in nave completed. |
| April 24, 1993 |
30th Anniversary Social Ministry Project: Americares/Homefront. |
| May 2, 1993 |
30th Anniversary celebration - Eucharist in the morning - Dinner at the Director's Chair Restaurant, Vista, NY, in the evening. |
| 1993 |
Pastor Stark retires to Florida, and the Rev. Paul Goetting appointed as interim pastor, to serve over the next three years. |
| 1995 |
Upper parking lot shared between Historical Society and St. Michael's paved. New candelabra and pew torches installed. |
| October 1996 |
The Rev. Elizabeth Krentz-Wee installed as new pastor, arriving most recently from England, where she was on a "leave of call" to be with her husband, Sam Wee, and their two children. |
| Advent 1997 |
The congregation begins to have Holy Communion weekly |
| September 1997 |
First year youth attend the All New England Lutheran youth campout at Hammonesett. |
| 1998 |
Gift of handchimes leads to first chime choir under the direction of Barbara Belon. |
| January 2000 |
Jan-Piet Knijff, native of the Netherlands, is hired as Director of Music. |
| June 2000 |
Congregation changes bylaw to allow children to receive Holy Communion beginning in the second grade. |
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