To Defend and Maintain: A Brief History of the Family of God at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois

Abstract

Michael T. Carr chronicles the founding and development of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Freeport, Illinois, born in 1964 when Pastor F.E. Bartling and twelve families left the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod over doctrinal concerns. The congregation began worshiping in homes and public spaces before acquiring property and constructing a permanent church building. Carr details the congregation’s early commitment to confessional Lutheran doctrine, its affiliation with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), and its growth through the 1970s. The 1980s brought challenges, including the opening and eventual closure of a Lutheran elementary school. The 1990s and early 2000s saw pastoral transitions, stained glass installations, and internal conflict, culminating in renewed mission efforts under Pastor Paul Learman. Richly supported by photographs, documents, and membership statistics, the essay reflects the congregation’s enduring commitment to Scripture and its resilience through decades of change. —Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)