LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD

WESTWOOD'S HISTORY

July 16, 1944 is the official birth date of Westwood Lutheran Church when it became affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Rev. A.C. Lehman was its first pastor. However, roots of the church were set down much earlier when in 1924 a few believers gathered together as North Side Union Sunday School and then moving into North Side Community Church.

In 1947, led by Rev. Richard Ellingson, the growing 300 member congregation adopted its Westwood name and borrowed $39,000 from the Synod for a new colonial style church located across the street from its original basement facility on Cedar Lake Road and Hampshire Avenue.

Westwood volunteers broke ground October 5, 1947 and dedicated the new church on Palm Sunday, 1948. Rev. Norman Nielsen began his ten years of service that same year.

In 1952, the church launched its commitment to missions, sponsoring first Rev. and Mrs. Douglas Swenseid in Japan and in later years, Rev. and Mrs. Louis Becker in Brazil and Rev. Rolf and Viola Aaseng in South Africa. In later years, youth were commissioned as Missionaries for a Summer and witnessed abroad.

The rapidly growing church realized it needed larger facilities and twenty acres of land were purchased at its present location at a cost of $18,000 . With a continuing strong commitment to children's education, the first structure built was an education wing . Good Shepherd Hall was truly a multi-purpose room: weekly worship services, boisterous boys' basketball league games, church socials (including the always popular pot luck suppers), and full-fledged theatrical productions (think Sound of Music) led by Minister of Music, Ronald Nelson, were all held here.

The need for larger and more appropriate worship space became evident and in 1963 the new sanctuary was dedicated at a cost of $386,500. Membership had grown to 3800. Rev. Arthur Jothen followed Rev. Quello and Dr. Paul Boe was called for special ministry to Native Americans and was actively involved with negotiations at Wounded Knee.

The 1970s brought changing roles for the women and men of the church and a commitment to individual growth...women began serving communion, ushering and assuming council leadership roles. Men became more active in Sunday School and Choir School instruction. In 1976, Rev. Reuben Groehler became senior pastor and opened Westwood facilities to community groups while strengthening existing church programs for singles, couples and senior adults.

Westwood continued its commitment to spiritual and personal growth with strong expanded programs and a new building project. Launched with a fundraising goal of $1.6 million in three years, construction began in 1985 on the new commons, offices, chapel, woodworking shop, Westwood Room and Early Childhood Learning Center which was led by Marilyn Stalheim. Programs like Caring Community, Stephen Ministry,and expanded counseling services addressed Westwood's commitment to each individual.

Rev. Thomas Hunstad was called in 1989 as Youth and Family pastor for the 3,500 member congregation. However, his dynamic ministry was cut short in 2000 when he succumbed to cancer.

In 1994, Rev. David Valen was called as Senior Pastor, having served ten years as associate pastor. Pastor Valen brought a new vision for increased member involvement through team ministry and understanding of the heritage and commitment at Westwood. Other staff additions were: husband and wife pastoral team, Heather Hammond and Carl Eemon ( They left five years later when Heather joined the staff of the ELCA Minneapolis Bishop); Pr. Del Schnaidt, Pr. Tom Olson and Pr. Dianne Sponheim.

Westwood 2000 started with a new mission statement: A Community in Christ: Gathering to Grow, Growing to Serve. New programs included: a third worship service (contemporary); WOW (Westwood on Wednesday) which included worship services and church schooling; program and services for neighborhood children; active involvement with Families Moving Forward (providing housing and food for a one week period three or four times per year); two bell choirs; a concert band; and a partnership with Redeemer Lutheran Church, an inner city congregation. Westwood sees itself as a Mission Outpost for Christ.

Early 2003 Pr. David Valen retired and Pr. Lee Thoni was called as Interim Senior Pastor. Both Pr. Olson and Pr. Schnaidt left. .

Pr. Tania Haber is called in August as Senior Pastor and began an exciting, far-reaching ministry even introducing week-long, spirit-filled, adult sailing adventures. A partnership with Arusha Road Church in Tanzania, Africa is begun and in 2004, sixteen Westwood members visit our sister congregation. Pastor Jason Van Hunnik joins the staff with passion for outreach and service and Nick Lovas becomes Youth Director (assisted by Erin Benham) leading a vital, fun-loving ministry attracting many teens who are bringing their non-churched friends. 2006, Pr. Lee Thoni retires.

Rotation Sunday School is introduced in the newly reconfigured education space in the two lower floors. The space includes classrooms, a computer lab and even a theatre, complete with popcorn machine.

A new governance structure was adopted with most committees transitioning to shorter-term, activity-focused ministry teams. Currently nearly 90 ministry teams are serving with Ruthanne Vos as director of Volunteer Ministries. Dr. Kris Langlois continues as Director of Music and Zeb Highben serves as Director of Choirs & Fine Arts.

Six purposes of Westwood ministry are adopted: worship, serve, invite, connect, give and grow. The 35th Annual Hobby Fair is held and profits make it possible to distribute over $15,000 to worthy causes both local and global. Congregation very active in support of STEP (St. Louis Park Emergency Program) and in Kids Against Hunger. In two food-packing events at church over 250,000 servings of food were completed for Tanzania. These are really intergenerational events as kids work side by side with parents and grandparents.

Conversations among St. Louis Park Lutheran churches (termed SPARK - Collaborative Ministries of St. Louis Park) have begun. The goal is to better serve the changing needs of our community.

Westwood is truly forever changing and forever seeking better ways to serve Christ here on earth.