The History of the Church of the Lighted Cross Almost everything starts small

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church

Timeline ....The History of the Church of the Lighted Cross

Almost everything starts small. Humans are born infants. Tall stalks of corn begin as seed. So it is with the church. From the humble beginnings of a small group of people meeting at the Lido Beach Casino, St. Armands Key Lutheran Church was born and began a journey that has seen more than three decades of growth anchored in faith and service. Here is a brief timeline of our the history of our church:

1966
- December 18 - Rev. Dr. Herman W. Siefkes conducts winter ministry at Lido Key Casino

1967
- July - Pastor Siefkes called by the American Lutheran Church (ALC) Eastern District and Board of Missions (Minneapolis) to found a congregation on the Sarasota Keys

- October - Organization of Lido Key Lutheran Church

- December - First official service of Lido Key Lutheran Church held at Lido Key Casino

1968
- February - purchase of 8 lots on Adams Drive for church site

- April 6 - Organization of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church (changed officially from Lido Key Lutheran Church)

- April 7 - Installation of Pastor Siefkes and the first official church council - Acceptance of charter members

- August 4 - ground is broken on the first sanctuary

- November 10 - Land donation by the Blix family extends church property to John Ringling Boulevard

1969
- February 2 - Dedication of the original sanctuary

- April 6 - Pastor Siefkes retires

- April - Rev. Adam Lynn appointed Interim Pastor

- May 21 - purchase of additional land on John Ringling Blvd

- November 2 - Rev. Paul G. Disbro installed as pastor

1970 - 1971
- Organization of the choir, women's auxilliary, circles, youth activities, ushers, greeters, altar guild, hospitality and other committees

1972
- September 30 - Pastor Disbro resigns to become Dean of the ALC Eastern District

1973
- February 4 - Rev. Julius N. Quello installed as Pastor

- November 18 - Lots at corner of Ringling and Washington Blvd purchased extending property to current dimensions.

1976
- Fund raising program by church members to retire ALC debt

- February - SAKLC becomes self supporting and is therefore no longer a mission church.

- February 15 - dedication of Ogram Fellowship Hall, offices, etc.

1978
- April 18 - Establishment of St. Armands Key Church Foundation

1980
- June 20 - Pastor Quello retires

- December 7 - Rev. Dr. William L. Nies installed as Pastor; Rev. Louis E. Mielke, Associate Pastor

1989
- October 22 - Dedication of Education Wing and church renovation - South Building

- November - Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service begins

- Prayer Chain Started

1990
- April 22 - Pastor Nies retires

- December 30 - Rev. Robert J. L. Zimmer installed as Pastor

1991
- Rev. Herbert T. Mayer appointed Pastoral Assistant

- Outreach Programs, Stephen Ministry, Mission and Social Ministry, and Christian Education Programs Started

- Pastor Nies recognized as Pastor Emeritus

1992
- Entire church debt retired

1994
- Long range strategic plan approved by the congregation

1995
- Purchase of house on Washington Drive

- April 9 - Rev. David McCoy installed as Associate Pastor

- October - Contemporary "Service of Joy" begins to supplement the active worship life of the church

1997
- "Forward in Faith" capital fund drive launched

1998
- March 22 - 30th Anniversary/Groundbreaking Celebration Service

- Rev. Paul Buehrle appointed pastoral assistant

1999
- March 28 - Dedication of new sanctuary and renovated facilities

- June 9 - Pastor Zimmer retires

- Rev. Lavern Franzen installed as Interim Pastor

- Rev. Gray Freeze appointed Visitation Pastor

- December 10 - Live Nativity begins

2000
- January - Rev. Priit Rebane installed as Interim Pastor

- April 9 - Rev. Eric P. Wogen installed as Pastor

- October 19 - 21- SAKLC hosts Callahan Leadership Conference

2001
- August - SAKLC kicks off Habitat for Humanity house campaign

- September 21 - Dinner and Devotions Program started

- November 11 - Youth JAM Youth Group started

2002
- January - Scholars in Residence Program Begins

- April 7 - Pastor Zimmer recognized as Pastor Emeritus

2003
- February 1 - Rev. Darwin Polesky appointed Pastoral Assistant

- April 6 - SAKLC Celebrates 35 years in Ministry

2004
- April - Parish Nurse Program begins. Susan DeRosa appointed Parish Nurse.

- June - SAKLC Meditation Garden constructed

The church, unlike a boat, never reaches its destination. The time never comes when a community of believers can say that the work of the Lord is complete. Since the beginning, St. Armands Key Lutheran Church has been growing and expanding. Throughout our journey we have reached out into God's world with the gospel of Jesus Christ and will continue to do so as we move forward in faith.