History and Events Archives — Gloria Dei Events History
11/1/59
The Rev. Harold E. Koch, Board Missionary, assigned to develop congregation in the Highland-Griffith area.
12/13/59
First Service of Worship in Highland Christian School with 132 persons in attendance.
1/3/60
First session of Sunday Church School with 78 pupils and teachers present.
4/10/60
3/13/60 Charter opened three months afterfirst Service of Worship — 81 signed.
4/10/60
Organizational business meeting— election of deacons, adoption of constitution and budget for balance of the year.
4/10/60
Organization Sunday, 197 Baptized and 115 Confirmed members The Reverend George Hoog, assistant to Indiana Synod President, preached in morning — 226 persons present. The Reverend Merle Franke, Secretary for English missions of BAM, preached in the afternoon — 118 persons in attendance.
4/14/60
First Service of holy Communion on Maudy Thursday.
4/14/60
Received into the Indiana Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America.
4/22/60
Call extended to the Reverend Harold E Koch to become first pastor.
June ,1960
Cleared Church site of old buildings. Mr. Robert Crowe and his brother, Douglas, used their equipment.
6/19/60
The Reverend Harold E. Koch accepted call to become first pastor.
7/3/60
One year building fund drive authorized by the congregation.
7/31/60
First Congregation picnic on church site. About 135 people in attendance.
8/7/60
Luther League organized with 16 members. Mr. Douglas Ripley, advisor, Michael Welsh first president.
8/14/60
The Reverend Harold E. Koch installed as pastor by Doctor W. M. Wick, President of the Indiana Synod.
9/12/60
Mr. Lester A Trier, Elkhart, engaged as structural engineer to draw plans for church buildings.
10/10/60
First building committee named by the church council with Ernest J. Welsh, chairman.
7/31/60
United Lutheran Church Women organized with Mrs. Arthur Erickson Sr., first president.
Nov. 1960
Youth Choir organized.
1/20/61
First Annual Congregation meeting in the Highland Presbyterian Church social hall.
4/9/61
First birthday of Gloria Dei with Pastor Driscol, First United Lutheran, as preacher.
5/7/61
Inaugeration of multiple services on Sunday with one at 8:00 a.m., the other at 10:45 a.m.
5/7/61
(Ultimate Building - Plot Plan Study) approved by the congregation.
6/4/61
Second annual Church picnic on church site with 138 present.
9/24/61
Ground-Breaking Service. Participants, Pastor Hoog, Pastor Schroeder, Dr. E. F. Volbracht & congregation members.
Nov. 1960
Altar Guild began to function with preparations for first Service of Worship, 12/13/59, Adeline Heichel, Chairperson.
9/25/61
Contracts signed with Brandt Construction, Arnold Electric Company, and Borg, Inc.
10/3/61
Telegram received from Board of American Missions to begin construction of first unit.
12/10/61
Cornerstone laid for first building. Pastor Driscoll, speaker. About 100 in attendance in snow and cold.
1/19/62
Second Annual Congregation Meeting in Highland Presbyterian Social Hall.1/19/62
3/13/62
Miss Irene Schaible, BAM Parish Worker, arrived for six month assignment.
3/22/62
Folded plate roof installed on temporary Chapel Building.
4/8/62
Congregation's second birthday. Guest preacher: Dr. E. F. Volbracht.
6/3/62
First Services of Worship in first new building.
6/10/62
First Confirmation in new building.
6/17/62
First Communion Service in new building.
6/24/62
Organ recital to demonstrate new Baldwin organ.
8/6—17/62
First Vacation bible School with 158 pupils attending.
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Dedication of first building by Dr. Walter Wick, President of Indiana-Kentucky Synod, LCA.
10/3/62
Congregation Celebration Dinner in Chapel Room.
10/5/62
Musical Vesper Service
10/7/62
First Holy Communion in newly dedicated building.
10/8/62
Church council accepted Pastor Koch’s resignation and elected Pulpit Committee.
10/28/62
Pastor Koch preached final sermon.
10/28/62
First Congregation “Pot-Luck Supper” in chapel room.
11/1/62
Pastor Koch departed for Thompson, Manitoba, Canada to organize a new congregation.
Nov. 1962
thru
Dec 1965
From November1, 1962 until May 19, 1963 Gloria Dei was left without a Pastor. From May 19, 1963 until September 30, 1966 the Reverend Robert Trendel served as Pastor of the congregation. In this period the congregation grew and became more settled as an organization. Activity increased, membership increased, the size of the Highland greater community increased. By the summer of 1965, it became readily apparent that more room was needed for the ongoing life of the congregation. Prayerful decision was made after much consultation to employ the firm of Bundrees (sp.?) and Sunshine to present new plans for a new Worship Hall. In the summer of 1966, Pastor Trendel accepted a call to Epiphany Church in Carbondale Illinois. The congregation was again left with-out a pastor. The Congregation Council, under the direction of Mr. William Brainlee (sp?), acted quickly this time and within a few months extended a Call, on behalf of the Congregation to the Reverend Joseph W. Kiser, assistant Pastor of First Lutheran Church in Norfolk, Virginia.
12/1/66
Pastor Joseph Kiser and his wife Judy move into the Parsonage, and Pastor Joseph took office for his new Call to Gloria Dei.
12/3/66
The congregation at it's annual meeting, approved the preliminary drawings for the new Sanctuary building.
12/24/66
12/24/66 Christmas Eve Candle light, and Music service more than 250 in attendance.
1/29/67
Services cancelled for the first time in Congregation's history - more than 37 in. of snow on the streets!
2/12/67
Pastor Joseph Kiser finally installed as 3rd Pastor of congregation, after 3 previous cancellations!
3/12/67
Congregation meeting called to approve new building, vote was unanimous.
3/17/68
Ground breaking services for the new Sanctuary, Dr. Wick preached.
3/19/67
More than 300 people attend the Palm Sunday Confirmation service - 12 confirmands.
7/14/68
Corner stone laid for new Sanctuary, construction slow going.
12/24/68
12/24/68 First service in new Sanctuary. Building still unfinished but people are happy.
2/9/69
Dedication Day! Over 500 present at services. Dr Wick dedicated building. The years pass very quickly. Congregation statistics tell the story of much growth, much work and love shared. Highland growing rapidly, new town hall/police station, new fire station, new churches, and many new families. Pastor Kiser and wife Judy adopt a new daughter Sarah and have a son Paul. The congregation employs a Youth Minister to help. Mr. David Hamblin takes position as Music Minister and adds to the Worship experience. Service attendance between 200 and 300 people with more than 1,000 attending at Easter and Christmas.
6/3/74
Pastor Kiser resigns to accept a Call to Third Lutheran Church, Louisville.
7/12/74
Congregation dinner and farewell for Pastor Kiser, wife Judy and children Sarah and Paul. More than 350 in attendance.
4/12/74
A newly rebuilt pipe organ was played for the first time at Gloria Dei.
9/22/74
Reverend Floyd C. Trexler Called by the congregation from Louisville Kentucky.
11/18/74
Reverend Floyd C. Trexler took office.
12/5/75
Reverend Floyd C. Trexler was installed in Ceremonial Worship Service.
5/22/83
Reverend Dale Beutler was Called as assistant minister from Whitestown Indiana.
8/15/83
Reverend Dale H. Beutler took office.
9/25/83
Reverend Beutler installed.
12/13/85
Reverend Trexler retired.
4/30/87
Reverend Beutler resigned.
x/x/x
Pastor Donald M Bravin was Called from Northfield Illinois.
9/13/87
Pastor Donald M. Bravin took office.
12/31/91
Pastor Donald M. Bravin retired.
4/5/92
Pastor James Milligan was Called from Antioch Indiana.
6/x/92
Pastor Milligan took office.
6/x/92
Pastor Milligan was installed.
7/14/98
Organ Dedication held in church service for the rebuilt pipe organ. PastorJames Milligan presided over the dedication, David Markley minister of music played the organ and the Joyful Noise Choir helped in leading the congregation for this festive occasion.
12/31/04
Pastor Milligan resigned.