On Sunday, May 10, 1925, a dedicated group of 20 Norwegian- Americans signed the charter for the establishment of “The Scandinavian Lutheran Church of Glendale” and our congregation was born. The first services were held in the Daily Press building in Glendale, conducted in both Norwegian and English. Soon a more convenient location with kitchen facilities was found and lunch was served after worship with all present invited to stay. The friendly “family” feeling which has always characterized Salem had begun. Sunday School and Confirmation classes were organized at once. The Young People’s Luther League was formed and promptly began establishing friendly relationships with other churches. Many challenges were met successfully by this young congregation which had to move six times in less than five years as they prayed for their own church home.

In the spring of 1930 a five room home at 318 West Salem Street was purchased and the name of the congregation was changed to Salem Lutheran Church. The first service held there took place on Sunday, July 18th, in the living room, with overflow seating in the adjoining dining room. The Lutheran Brotherhood and Ladies Aid were organized and became active in 1930. In 1933 drastic changes were made to the house. All room partitions were removed, an altar, pulpit and pews were constructed and the Luther League bought a new piano. The Ladies Aid served dinners to raise funds. The revised structure was dedicated on July 2, 1933 and the Reverend A.O. Odegaard became Salem’s first permanent pastor. Rapid growth of the congregation required larger facilities and a new church was built entirely by the members with materials costing $3,000.00 . The new church was dedicated on May 20th, 1934. The congregation grew steadily to 227 members. A second service was added in 1938.

In 1944 the initial property now occupied by Salem was purchased for $8,000. The first building, the Parish Hall, now our Fellowship Hall, was dedicated and worship services began there on Reformation Sunday in 1947. An elementary school began shortly thereafter. The house and property directly north of the property originally purchased was acquired by the congregation in 1949 and remodeled to be used for Sunday School classes. More property was acquired adjoining our first lot on Brand Blvd. In the fall of 1956 an intense long range development and building program began and met with great success so that our present Sanctuary could be dedicated on July 12, 1959. Our Christian Education (school) building and Administrative-Fireside Building were dedicated in 1964.

Salem Lutheran Church is blessed with an outstanding history of leadership and service – to one another, the community and to the world at large. We see ourselves as “… a place of peace for individuals and families, of all shapes and sizes, to be strengthened in their faith through the challenge of service, the inspiration of worship and the love of learning.” This vision is lived out in both internal ministries with and to one another and external mission with and to the community and world.

Recently, we have grown to recognize the need to improve and enhance our facilities to increase our capacity to accomplish our expanding understanding of our vision for the future. The current level of health and vitality of our congregation makes this an excellent time to grow forward the mission of our church by addressing these needs.

It is clear to almost all involved that we have outgrown our space as it is. Accessibility for those who are handicapped is an obvious issue for us. The kitchen is inadequate for what we are already trying to do – not to mention what we could do. Rooms are scheduled for activities “on top of” each other, bumping into each other, and limiting each other. The widely appreciated ministry of music at Salem warrants additional space for rehearsal and events. Opportunities abound for us to improve our entire campus to enhance the capacity for ministry and service represented by our excellent school.

The leadership team of Salem has come to the prayerful conclusion that this is the time to move forward to address our facility needs. The vision we have is to build on what has been done by those who have gone before us so that those who follow us will be blessed by our efforts to ensure the future health and vitality of this congregation.

We believe we have what it takes. We are committed to providing holistic education – for persons young to old – for congregation and community. Salem will be a growing center for service and outreach to the community. We will connect on important levels to the people of our immediate neighborhood. Salem will continue its ministry through the arts and the giftedness of our people. We will be a center for ecumenical ministry while we grow our capacity to minister to the poor and hungry. Salem will continue to strengthen the already respected platform of our ministry through the school with a dynamic vision for the future of that ministry.

As our people are made more and more aware of the opportunities of this capital appeal it is clear that this project is a once-in-a-generation chance to grow forward the vision and ministry of our church.

Every gift is important. Gifts at every level will be significant as we move the vision of the congregation forward through this project. This pattern of contributions is designed to help us meet or exceed our hopes to expand and update our congregation’s facility at an expected gift commitment total of approximately $1.5 - $2 million over three years to accomplish as much as possible at this time.

Consider your place within the range of gifts listed here. Then prayerfully reflect on how you might grow upwards from that point. Pray deeply and openly. Remember: Think generously. Every dollar amount in this table is a gift of love that can be spread out over a number of years. Remember that the basic intent is a three-year gift.

During the next few weeks, we are seeking to visit as many people as possible to receive their three-year gift intent. Pray about your gift; make plans that are right for you, and join this once in a generation kind of fulfillment.

See why we must invest today to insure that the power of Holy Spirit is embraced for generations to come.