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PHONE:
(702)732-2052
FAX:
702-734-3769
rfmlv@embarqmail.com
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Reformation Lutheran Church History page 2
prepared and written by:
Eileen Ward Herb Hansen
In 1958...
Nuclear devices were being detonated at the Nevada Test Site...there was
but one building on the UNLV Campus...a postage stamp cost 4 cents... and Gigi
was the best movie of the year! Meanwhile, here at Reformation Lutheran
Church, after seeing the completion of our new Church building, Pastor William
Arbaugh submitted his resignation as of September, 1958. This coincided with
his marriage to a member of the congregation, Sandra Schultz. A call committee
was formed and by February of 1959, Pastor Sowers was called. He accepted and
arrived in June with a starting salary of $7,800. At this time the average
attendance on Sundays was around 91 persons and in Sunday School about 50. In
the following years, attendance grew. In 1961, there was a gain of 110
members! It soon was felt that we needed to enlarge our facility and a
Building Survey Committee was formed. In 1962 we became independent of the
Board of American Missions and were now able to pay the pastor's salary on our
own. Our budget in 1962, was $30,500. In 1963, we officially changed our name
to Reformation Lutheran Church, and a Fund Raising Drive for $30,000 was
started. This was needed to pay off our original mortgage. That year we also
celebrated our 15th Anniversary. In January of 1964, bids were opened for the
construction of our new Education Building and Fellow ship Hall. They ranged
from 66-75 thousand dollars. The congregation then voted to acquire a $105,000
loan to pay off our existing debt and pay for our new building. The new
Education Building and Fellowship Hall was finished and ready for Vacation
Church School in August of 1964, with 153 registered. Our congregation
continued to grow, but records of this period indicate our Council was
challenged to balance the budget. In August, 1965, Pastor Sowers announced his
resignation, accepting a call to Indiana. He had served our church from
June,1959, to September, 1965. This year ended with a loss of 35 members. Once
again the search was on for a new pastor. In October, 1965, a call was issued
to Pastor J. Kenneth Edwins. He was installed Feb., 1966. Shortly after Pastor
Edwins arrived, the congregation voted to purchase a house on Arrowhead
Street, in the Twin Lakes area. The equity of $10,000 was a gift of the seller
to the Church, with a balance of $12,000 which was to be paid off by the
congregation. The Arrowhead property was used to house a number of custodians
who lived there in exchange for their services. Through 1967, attendance at
Church and in Sunday School increased, but finances continued to be a problem.
And, so the Second Decade of Reformation Lutheran Church had been reached,
fulfilled by the Holy Spirit working through His servants - calling,
gathering, enlightening and sanctifying. Yet in this
house, an earthly frame. Jesus the children is blessing: Hither we come to
praise His name, Faith in our Savior confessing, Jesus to us His Spirit sent,
Making with us His covenant, Granting His children the kingdom.
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