Church History

History of Our Congregation
First Lutheran Church was begun by a group of German speaking people who were attracted to the Holyoke area by work available in the Germania Mills. A Society of Believers was formed who built a church in lower Holyoke. The first service was Christmas Day 1867. Always education-minded, a school was formed for instruction in German and English.

Our pillared colonial structure was dedicated in 1956. In 1992 we celebrated our 125th anniversary with a BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION Capital Campaign. This allowed us to refurbish the church, add 7th and 8th grade to our school, and make the building handicap accessible. We are dedicated to a mission of Christian education, our way of fulfilling THE GREAT COMMISSION.