A Legacy of Faith: First Lutheran Church Sandpoint Through the Years

When First Lutheran Church was organized in 1905, they began meeting in the homes of members in Sandpoint, ID. The congregation began services in the first church building in 1907.  It stood on the southeast corner of 5th Avenue and Alder Street, where Arby's is currently located.


With the increase in population and the rise of Christianity from 1950 to 1970, the members of First Lutheran Church expanded to our current location on S. Olive Ave.
​
The 21st century brought another dream to life, Luther Park Senior Housing. Luther Park was built on First Lutheran’s property, and the two buildings are connected. As a significant ministry of First Lutheran Church, Luther Park provides a home for seniors in the Sandpoint community. 

Our first church building in 1907.  It stood where the current Arby's resides on 5th Ave and Alder.

Timeline of Events

    • 1905, October 26: Congregation was Organized in the Home of Pete Anderson  

    • 1906 - 1908: Rev. Thormosgaard - Presiding Pastor

    • 1907: First Church Built by Mr. Kolstad; Labor $300, Cost of Church $1000

    • 1907, December: Sidewalks & Electric Lights are added. Congregation is Incorporated

    • 1909, October 25: Parsonage Construction Started with a Loan of $800 from Thomas Thomason   

    • 1909, September 26 - 1915: Rev. A.M. Skindlov is the 1st Resident Pastor

    • 1909, December 21:  Parsonage is Completed

    • 1911, October 29: Church is Dedicated by Reverend T.H. Dahl of Minneapolis

    • 1915, October 3 - 1919: Rev. Otterstad - Presiding Pastor

    • 1917, February 11: A Decision was Made to Build a New & Bigger Church

    • 1918, April 21: New Church is Completed & Dedicated by Bishop Skindlov

    • 1918 – 1919: Rev. Farseth - Presiding Pastor 

    • 1919, November 2 - 1922, May: Rev.  Stolee - Presiding Pastor

    • 1922, September 3 - 1925: Rev. Running - Presiding Pastor

    • 1924, December 25: Church Fire on Christmas Day

    • 1925, July 26: The Rebuilt Church is Dedicated  

    • 1926, November 1 - 1932:   Rev. Hagen - Presiding Pastor

    • 1933 - 1940:   Rev. G. Gabrielson - Presiding Pastor 

    • 1941 - 1945:   Rev. R.P. Haakonson - Presiding Pastor

    • 1944:   Hammond Electric Organ is Purchased

    • 1945 – 1946:   Rev. R.K. Maide – Presiding Pastor  

    • 1946 - 1956:   Rev. J.F. Masted - Presiding Pastor

    • 1956, July 8 - 1962, September:   Rev. A. Wallace Johnson - Presiding Pastor

    • 1956, November 30:   Site for a New Church selected

    • 1957, August 1:   7 Acres were purchased for $11,400 at the Corner of Olive & Ontario

    • 1959, October:   Congregation sells Church at 5th & Alder to Phillips Oil for $17,500

    • 1960, February 17:   Congregation Votes & Approves Building of a New Parsonage for $23,200

    • 1960, May:   Construction Begins on the New Church

    • 1960, June:   Parsonage Construction Completed

    • 1960, December 24:   First Worship Service in the New Church

    • 1961, June 18:   New Church is Dedicated

    • 1963 - 1969:   Rev. Don W. Taylor - Presiding Pastor

    • 1969 - 1976:   Rev. Orville Grorud - Presiding Pastor

    • 1975, July 29:   A new Casavant pipe organ is dedicated

    • 1976 - 1995:   Rev. Dennis Hanson - Presiding Pastor

    • 1980, October 26:   Church Bell Dedication on Reformation Sunday

    • 1995 - 1996:  Rev. Oines - Interim Pastor

    • 1997 - 1999:   Rev. Steven Myers - Presiding Pastor

    • 1999 - 2012:   Rev. David Olson - Presiding Pastor, Rev. Steve Neuder, Associate Pastor

    • 2007 - 2008:   Luther Park Senior Housing was built

    • 2013 - 2015:   Rev. Bob Chenault - Interim Pastor, Rev. Steve Neuder, Associate Pastor

    • 2015 - 2021 September:   Rev. Lori Morton - Presiding Pastor 

    • 2022, May:   A Rodgers Digital Organ is installed and interfaced to the Casavant 23 rank organ 

    • 2024, April:   Rev. Duane Fister, Presiding Pastor

    • 2025, May:   Grand Piano arrives

Historic Photos

The Ladies’ Aide Binder:

View our photo collections from the Ladies’ Aide Binder.

Mr. & Mrs. Carl Johnson & son Arthur

Mr. & Mrs. Carl Johnson & son Arthur

Mr & Mrs Eric Nelson & son Vernon

Mr & Mrs Eric Nelson & son Vernon

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Solberg, Mable, Pearl, Arthur & Melvin

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Solberg, Mable, Pearl, Arthur & Melvin

Mrs. Arvid Hakinson

Mrs. Arvid Hakinson

Mrs. Eric Nelson

Mrs. Eric Nelson

On the left: Mrs. Kolstad, one of the charter members from 1904

On the left: Mrs. Kolstad, one of the charter members from 1904

Mrs. Pederson, another charter member from 1904

Mrs. Pederson, another charter member from 1904

The cover of the Ladies Aide binder.

The cover of the Ladies Aide binder.

The Ladies Aide binder was a treasure trove of information in researching the history of First Lutheran, but even at that, some of the pictures had been pulled out and perhaps returned to their rightful owner over the years (as shown).

The Ladies Aide binder was a treasure trove of information in researching the history of First Lutheran, but even at that, some of the pictures had been pulled out and perhaps returned to their rightful owner over the years (as shown).

Our Pastors

From our 50th Anniversary Booklet

From our 50th Anniversary Booklet

From our 50th Anniversary Booklet

From our 50th Anniversary Booklet

Former Pastors 4.png
former pastors 3.png
Rev. Masted was pastor from 1946-1956

Rev. Masted was pastor from 1946-1956

From our 75th Anniversary Booklet- All of these former pastors were able to attend that celebration except Gabrielson.

From our 75th Anniversary Booklet- All of these former pastors were able to attend that celebration except Gabrielson.

Rev. A.W. Johnson 1956-1962

Rev. A.W. Johnson 1956-1962

Rev. Don Taylor 1963-1969

Rev. Don Taylor 1963-1969

Rev. Orville Grorud 1969-1976

Rev. Orville Grorud 1969-1976

Rev. Dennis Hanson 1976-1995

Rev. Dennis Hanson 1976-1995

Rev. Dave Olson 1999-2012

Rev. Dave Olson 1999-2012

Pastor Lori Morton 2015-2021

Pastor Lori Morton 2015-2021

Pastor Steve Neuder 2008-2022

Pastor Steve Neuder 2008-2022

Pastor Duane Fister 2024 - Present

Pastor Duane Fister 2024 - Present

First Lutheran Women

Rev. Skinlov at the Olsen house, 1913

Rev. Skinlov at the Olsen house, 1913

Historic Photos 1.jpeg
Rev. Gabrielson with Ladies Aide in late 1930’s

Rev. Gabrielson with Ladies Aide in late 1930’s

Johnson, Gabrielson, Knudson, Thomasson

Johnson, Gabrielson, Knudson, Thomasson

historic photos 4.png
Edith Jennestad’s house sometime in 1920’s

Edith Jennestad’s house sometime in 1920’s

Taken at the ENGLUND farm 1940

Taken at the ENGLUND farm 1940

Our ladies 110 years later

Our ladies 110 years later

first lutheran church ladies 2.png
first lutheran church ladies 3.png
first lutheran church ladies 4.png