Grace Lutheran Church was founded on September 16, 1919, with nine voting members and 37 communicants.
    Lutheran pulpits had been proclaiming the Gospel in Norfolk for upward of 60 years.  Until that time, however, the greater portion of it had been done in the German language.  The object of the new church was to preach the Gospel entirely in the English language and to work for community outreach.  Grace Lutheran was organized to "preach the gospel in the language of the people."  Because children were being educated in English, and because it was the language of the United States, the founding members of Grace saw a need for Lutheran preaching in English as well as German, the language of Lutherans in Norfolk at that time.  In 1919, several families obtained releases from Christ Lutheran Church to begin a new congregation, Grace Lutheran Church.
    The Rev. F.C. Brandhorst, missionary in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming, was called to be the first pastor.
    The local Baptist church was building a new church, so Grace Lutheran bought its old church for $1,600.  They moved it from the northeast corner of Fifth Street and Philip Avenue to the present church location at Fifth Street and Park Avenue.  The lot cost $2,600.  After excavation and building improvements, the total for lot and church came to $6,215.  The house north of the property was purchased for $4,000 and served as the parsonage.
    After worshipping in the church for four years, the congregation needed more space. In the fall of 1923, the entire interior of the church was remodeled, increasing the seating capacity to 225.  Within five years of its founding, the records show 87 voting members and 223 communicants from 128 families.
    Although Grace Lutheran children attended nearby Christ Lutheran Parochial School, they organized a Sunday School shortly after its founding.  Youth groups, a Ladies Aid Society and a choir were also formed during their first year.  In 1925, they built a new parsonage for $7,000.
 
 

Grace Lutheran Church and parsonage after 1925

Interior of old church.  Notice the pulpit, toward the left, that pulpit is one used in our chapel today. The organ was an old pump organ on the right, later fitted with an electric blower.

    Grace Lutheran was the first congregation in Nebraska to install a phone system for the hearing impaired, so they could participate in the services.
    In 1927, the Rev. W.C. Rehwaldt arrived from Casper Wyoming.  In calling him, the congregation had stated, "Within a year or so we shall have to consider the erection of a new church building."  After his arrival, the members' subscriptions totaled more than $20,000 for the new church plus $5,000 for the purchase of additional property north of the church.

The cornerstone of the new building was laid on  Armistice Day, November 11, 1928.

Grace Lutheran church under construction. This picture is of the southwest corner,by the west narthex entrance.  Note the frame for the doorway.

The view of east side of the church from the south.	Early church interior.  Note the absence of the stained glass.

 The Church was dedicated on December 8, 1929.  The overall cost of the church was $75,215.55.  The congregation recorded 557 members.
 

Grace in 1931	An early Christmas.  Note the large furnace vent in the west transept.

     In 1931, some families left to form Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in the southeast part of Norfolk and to serve Lutherans living in that area.

Rehwaldt was succeeded by the Rev. Arnold G. Deke (1951-61).  He was installed into pastorship on August 5, 1951.  During this time the congregation's attention was drawn to the wonderful stained glass windows created by Peter Dohmen of St. Paul, Minnesota.  It was because of World War II, the bombing wiped out Mr. Dohmen's studio, that we were able to secure his artistic talents.   He reestablished his family and his studio in America.  "It is in this spirit of love and devotion that we members of Grace Lutheran church have now beautified God's house with stained glass windows."
 
 

   Pastor Martin L. Russert (1961-87) began his service November 5, 1961, and served as our pastor until his retirement May 31, 1987.  He was the anniversary speaker at the 75th celebration in July.  Rev. Russert arrived here to serve from Osage, Iowa.  He brought the experience of serving as a chaplain in the Air Force both in the United States and for one year in Korea.
A building devoted to Christian education was constructed adjoining the church building in 1961.
In 1969, for the Golden Anniversary, the church was completely repainted and carpeting and pew cushions were added for the ambiance and comfort of the service.

In 1971 a new parsonage was constructed at a cost of approximately $45,000.
 
 

 In 1978, the Rev. Ray Wilke, former missionary to the Philippines, arrived as assistant pastor to Russert.  After Rev. Russert's retirement Rev. Wilke acted as our interim pastor until he accepted the call to Grace Lutheran on November 1, 1987.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rev. Jeffrey D. McPike a senior student at Concordia Theological Seminary, for Fort Wayne, IN was assigned to become associate pastor at Grace.  He was installed on July 10, 1988 and made himself a dedicated guide to the study of the Word of our Lord.  He designed and conducted studies of the Books of Revelation, Daniel, and in the area of church history, The Book of Concord.  He also began with the congregational members the study of the Divine Drama, an adult Bible study course offered by the Crossways developers.  Rev. McPike enjoyed singing and enhancing the services with his praise to the Lord.  Pastor McPike was called to Trinity Lutheran church in Urbana Illinois in April of 1999.  Trinity Lutheran Church, Urbana, Illinois.
 
 

Grace Lutheran today has more than 900 members and more than 450 families listed in its membership.
Grace congregation is a self-governing body, governed by the Word of God in matters of doctrine and by majority vote in all other matters.  The sole financial support of the day to day operations of the congregation is provided by contributions of individual members.  Grace Lutheran church is a member of the Nebraska District and of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

On 8 July 2001 Pastor Christopher Hazzard was ordained at Grace.  He was called from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri and became the associate pastor at Grace.  Pastor Chris grew up in Delaware.  He completed his undergraduate studies at Concordia College, Bronxville, New York in 1993, earning a BA in International Studies. He stayed at Concordia three additional years, serving as Manager of Public Safety, and working toward a masters' degree in Pastoral Counseling. Pastor Chris then entered seminary. He served an internship in suburban Detroit, Michigan.  Pastor Hazzard enjoys working with youth and young families.  Pastor Hazzard was called to serve a Lutheran Church in Massachutsets in October of 2007.