A Brief History of

First English Lutheran Church

The decade of the 1920’s the need was seen among Lutherans in Sterling for an English language opportunity to worship our Lord and Savior.  Many attended an organizational meeting on December 11 1927.  First English Lutheran Church was born that night.  

In the years since that first night we have worshiped our Lord in a variety of places.  Some of them were:

Sterling Junior High School (formerly Sexson School) and the basement Trinity Lutheran School.

Our first church building was located at 210 N. Division St.  (Dedicated in 1937)

The Fox Theater (while our present building was being constructed).

Our present facility, dedicated in 1954, and our education building dedicated in 1965

God has blessed us with a beautiful facility from which to serve Him and in which to worship Him.

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From the beginning of our congregation’s history we have been served by dedicated Pastors.  After signing the constitution for the newly formed congregation in December of 1927, the first call was issued on January 4, 1928.  

Rev. E.C. Knorr was installed on January 28, 1928 and served until March 22, of 1936.

During the vacancy we were served by Rev. Brott of Trinity in Sterling; and from

         Haxtun, the Rev. J. Hannewald.

Rev. A. Heimsoth was installed on October 11, 1936 and served until March 10, 1942, when  he was granted a peaceful release to become a chaplain during World War II.  During the brief vacancy, we were again served by Rev. Brott of Trinity, Sterling.

Rev. Arnold Obermeier was installed on April 26, 1942 and served over 40 years until retiring in July of 1982.

Rev. John Gorklo was installed on September 11, 1983 and served until February of 1988. During the vacancy we were served by Rev. Everett Garwood from February of 1988 until September of 1988 when Pastor and his family returned to the Philippines to continue his work in the mission field.  

Rev. Lohn M. Johnson was installed on Oct. 16, 1988 and served until May 31, 1997. During the Vacancy we were served by Rev. Gregg Reiser from Trinity, Akron.  

Rev. Andrew Dimit was installed in July of 1998 and served until December 31, 2004 at which time First English Lutheran and Trinity of Akron formed a dual parish, and Pastor Dimit was released from our call to accept the call to the newly formed dual Parish. He served the dual parish until July of 2012, when the dual parish was ended.  During this most recent vacancy we were served by Rev. David Loeshke, from Haxtun.

From August of 2012 until November of 2017 Rev. Loeshke helped the congregation heal.

Rev. Richard von Steinman was called in November of 2016, however formal installation was on January 8, 2017.  Pastor von Steinman continues to shepherd the members of First English today.

We are looking forward to our future years of sharing with others the wonderful Life Giving message of Jesus our Savior.  We look forward to worshipping Him, and Celebrating his Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.  We rejoice that we are able to serve Him.  We pray that many more souls are blessed by our Lord through His Church. We at First English Lutheran are excited to be a part of the community of Sterling, Colorado where we are able to proclaim the Resurrection of Jesus Christ until he comes again.