Christ Lutheran Church of Hilo will celebrate its 60th anniversary Sunday, Oct 26. ADVERTISING Christ Lutheran Church of Hilo will celebrate its 60th anniversary Sunday, Oct 26. Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by a celebration program including an Oktoberfest
Christ Lutheran Church of Hilo will celebrate its 60th anniversary Sunday, Oct 26.
Worship begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by a celebration program including an Oktoberfest potluck. Members and community friends are invited to attend at the church located at 595 Kapiolani St. in Hilo.
The Lutheran Church began in Germany during the 1500s. One of the first Germans in Hawaii was Heinrich Zimmerman, who sailed with Captain Cook in 1778.
During the 1800s, as more Germans arrived, the Lutheran Church was established. Heinrich Berger, organist of the Lutheran Church in Honolulu, became bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band and composed the music to “Hawaii Pono‘i.”
Lutheran activity on the Big Island began with an advertisement in the Hilo Tribune in 1950.
“LUTHERANS OF HILO ATTENTION,” read the advertisement. “Are you interested in having Lutheran worship services?”
On April 7, 1953, the first service was hosted at the home of Charles and Rosemarie Hart on the Hakalau Sugar Plantation. The Rev. Norman Abbott moved to Hilo in July 1954 and, on Oct. 10, the church was organized.
A house located on Kilauea Avenue and Lanihuli Street served as chapel and parsonage. In 1966, the property was sold to Shell Oil Company and then a lease for land on Kapiolani Street was obtained.
On Jan. 28, 1968, the newly built sanctuary was dedicated.
The church’s vision is “Know Christ, Grow in Christ, Serve Christ, Share Christ” and the congregation is active with community outreach programs. It participates with Prison Ministry to help families visit via videoconferencing with inmates on the mainland. Feeding the Hungry serves a Sunday meal at the Salvation Army along with several churches and the Food Basket.
The church also hosts Camp Aloha, a summer camp for neighborhood children, and Project Hi‘ilani, a state Department of Education program providing nursery care for teen parents.
A quilting group sews lap and full-size quilts supplied to Hospice, Liberty Dialysis and various care facilities in Hilo and Sendai, Japan. A Stephen Ministry program of lay people also offers confidential support for those experiencing challenges in daily life.
