CENTERBURG — The Centerburg Lutheran congregation was established in 1945, and began worshipping together in members’ homes.
Sixty years ago, in 1951, the present Grace Lutheran Church, at 182 W. Houck St., was constructed and members today are celebrating the building’s diamond anniversary.
The members remodeled the church in 1982 and an addition was made in 1996.
Church historian Rosemarie Grube said the congregation is excited about the milestone the church has reached. Everyone — nonmembers as well as past and present members — is welcome to attend the three special services being held to commemorate the occasion.
To celebrate, several special services have been planned.
On Sunday, Pastor Bill Wong, the Southern Ohio Synod representative, will be preaching. On Sept. 18, the Lutheran youth will be presenting a program and serve pizza after the church service. Pastor Ken Scheck II will be the featured speaker on Sept. 25. Scheck grew up in Centerburg and was sponsored through ministerial school by the Centerburg church. The services will all begin at 10:30 a.m.
The church has been an integral part of the community since its inception, Grube said. For instance, Centerburg Place senior citizen housing was built on church property. The church sponsored a preschool for 20 years, at one time had before- and afterschool and summer programs and is still very active with Centerburg Interchurch Social Services. The Lutheran church women also partner with the United Methodist women once a month to provide hot meals to seniors and shut-ins in the Centerburg area.
