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In 1961, Atonement Lutheran Church, 1980 Silver
Lake Road, New Brighton, Minnesota, was one of 19 similar mission churches
bearing the identical name to be established in each of the 19 districts
of the American Lutheran Church. These churches were built to commemorate
the merger of three branches of the Lutheran Church into one national
body in 1961. This selected name--Atonement Lutheran Church-- means the
church of God's reconciliation, "to be at one" with God.
The first governing body of Atonement was the ALC mission. They called
and appointed a pastor, Reverend Herman P. Senft of Dubuque, Iowa, to
gather a congregation for this new church.
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Pastor Senft did this by making telephone
calls, visiting nearby homes, sending out flyers, and spreading news of
the new church by word of mouth.
The first meeting of the Atonement congregation took place on September
10, 1961 at Sunnyside Elementary School, about a mile from the construction
site of the church. There were fifty-one people in attendance at this
service, and they gave an offering totaling $37.80.
The cornerstone for the building at Atonement's present location was laid
on October 22, 1961, and the first service to be held in the church structure
was a Christmas program presented on December 17, 1961. After many hours
of volunteer labor and an approximate cost of $100,000.00, the new facility
was dedicated on May 20, 1962, with 49 confirmed and 100 baptized members.
Early Atonement leaders included the first church board composed of Henry
Boyer, Allan Johnson, Ken Hoogakker, Luretta Anderson, John Fahning, Chas.
Winans and Larry Brovald, as well as trustees V. Keikhafer, James Lund
and Arthur Pedersen. Pastor Senft remained with the congregation one and
a half years, serving as the church secretary, maintenance worker, and
custodian in addition to his duties as pastor!
In the years that have followed, Atonement has been home to hundreds of
members, giving them religious education and inspiration, joy-filled music,
support and love. We are blessed with an amazing staff, active committees,
inspired small groups, talented singers and musicians, strong educational
programs, countless volunteers, and visionary pastoral leaders. Our community
outreach includes King's Kids Preschool, Sunday School and Vacation Bible
School, Meals on Wheels, layettes and quilts to Lutheran World Relief,
birthday cakes for Anoka Regional Treatment Center, our fall Boutique,
Tanzania Seminary project, ministering in local Seniors buildings, joint
worship services with area churches, Luther Seminary contextual education
students, and food shelf donations to Ramsey and Anoka Counties. Completion
of our Vision Discernment Process will help us to identify who we are,
what we are called to do, and where we are going as a congregation. We
will continue to be led by God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and inspired
by our Savior Jesus Christ. The skylight in the narthex and the cupola
atop the sanctuary are constant reminders of God's light shining in us
and through us into the world. With praise and thanksgiving, we will continue
to "Light the Crossroads" in service to our Lord.
Following is a list of pastors who have served Atonernent:
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