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About | History
In September 1922 Rev. Carl Dankworth became the first minister of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church.  The sanctuary was built on the current property in 1925.  By 1937 the congregation had 216 members and 127 communicant members.   Rev. Dankworth retired in 1959, after 37 years of faithful service to Redeemer.  In June 1959 Rev. Donald Balster became Redeemer’s minister and, after 37 years of service, he retired in June 1996.  Redeemer has had many people serving as associate pastor.  Michael Bradburn came to Redeemer in 1995 to help with the congregation’s educational programs.  After he was ordained in 1996, Rev. Bradburn became Redeemer’s Assistant then Associate Pastor, and received his call as Redeemer’s Senior Pastor on November 14, 2004.  We are pleased to have Pastor Paul Johns also serving us as pastor since 2004.   During the mid-1970s Redeemer voted to dissolve its relationship with the English District and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  In 1982, the congregation became part of the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.  Redeemer now is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).   In the early 1980s the congregation installed a new Berghaus, mechanical-action pipe organ containing 1500 pipes, 24 stops, and 30 ranks.  Redeemer has a long tradition of a strong music program led by excellent musicians.  Redeemer serves as host for the Salt Creek Sinfonietta, a community chamber orchestra.   In 1988 an educational wing was added to the sanctuary, providing offices, classrooms, and meeting space.  The modern new facilities were dedicated in November 1988.   Redeemer continues its tradition of innovative outreach programming, especially for children and young families.  Faith Quest is a popular version of Sunday School; the work camp experience is offered during the summer through Redeemer’s partnership with NeW LYF (Near West Lutheran Foundation); and, our confirmation program follows the Augsburg Fortress curriculum “Here We Stand.”   In February 2002, after many months of discussion and planning, the congregation initiated Believe, a Sunday alternative worship service which uses less formal kinds of music and worship structures to reach young and old with the Gospel.   Mission outreach and ministry to the community have long been a part of Redeemer and is at the core of what we do.  From hands-on projects, such as raking leaves for the elderly, to funding for seminary students, foreign missionaries, disaster relief, and providing shelter and meals for P.A.D.S. (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) during the summer months, we are committed to sharing God’s blessings.   Our membership today totals 649 baptized members with an average weekly worship attendance of 219.   Redeemer’s Mission Statement reads: “Called by Christ and led by the Spirit, we strive to grow in faith, proclaim the Gospel, and share God’s blessings.”