| On June 15, 1969, the Rev. Donald Rieder was installed as pastor of First Lutheran Church, Shelbyville. A charter membership was started and the charter members met for the first time November 21, 1971 in the basement of Bedford County Bank for a fellowship supper and business meeting. That night it was decided that the name of the new congregation would be Christ Lutheran Church and the first service together would be December 12, 1971. |
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First Lutheran Church (Shelbyville) -- 1969
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Bedford County Bank (Shelbyville) -- 1971
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The congregation began meeting at the Chamber of Commerce building. On December 19, 1971, First Lutheran Church congregation met for the last time to authorize the transfer of its property to the newly forming congregation and to prepare to disband. On January 2, 1972, the new congregation met to officially select its leadership, constitution and plan for its organization. |
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Bedford County Chamber of Commerce -- 1971
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| In March 1972, the future looked brighter for Shelbyville's Lutherans as the old First Lutheran Church was torn down, so the new Christ Lutheran Church could be build there. In April 1972, the remains of First Lutheran Church were burned. The Christ Lutheran Church congregation continued to meet at the Chamber of Commerce building and this is where they worshiped together for their first Easter, April 2, 1972. Some of the Sunday School rooms were just a corner of the lobby, but no one seemed to mind. |
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| First Lutheran Church -- March 1972 |
First Lutheran Church -- April 1972 |
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Services at the Chamber of Commerce -- 1972
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| After the long struggle, things began to shape up at 500 Elm Street. The photos below show the building construction and how the new building looked on July 18, 1972. |
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Christ Lutheran Church -- 1972
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Throughout the summer of 1972, the excitement seemed to keep rising and on October 29, 1972, Christ Lutheran Church was dedicated. This was a very happy occasion for many Lutherans because after many years of struggling, their dream was coming true.
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The dedication service started with the congregation outside and Mr. John C. Crowell, building superintendent presenting the key to the church to Pastor Rieder.
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The building committee and the church council presented the appointments for dedication. On August 25, 1974, Pastor Rieder resigned as pastor of Christ Lutheran to answer a call as pastor of First Lutheran Church, Nashville .
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Although Crowell’s Chapel and Christ Lutheran Church have a long history in common, it was not until 1979 that they joined together formally as a parish under the leadership of Rev. Paul Huddle.
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