Redeemer Lutheran Church of Lisbon, ND
The Beginning
Redeemer was founded in 1913 as “Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church” as a result of mission work by Rev. Stolper of Gwinner. At the time of its organization, the church consisted of seventeen souls. Services were conducted in the Norwegian Lutheran Church and sung entirely in German. After briefly purchasing and worshipping in the old Presbyterian Church, the congregation eventually bought the old Evangelical church.
God’s Providence
By 1921 the Lord had blessed the congregation with a membership of seventy-five souls. The members were excited to call their first resident pastor, Rev. Carl Schulz. During the Great Depression it was no longer feasible to have a called pastor, so the church was served by a vacancy pastor (Rev. Wentzel) for 16 years. In 1946, the church officially changed its name to “Redeemers Lutheran Church.”
New Building & Bell Tower
To accommodate an ever growing congregation, Redeemer tore down the old Evangelical building and built a new church. Much of the labor was donated by men of the congregation, including that of the pulpit and lectern. The church was dedicate in 1953. By the 1960s, membership grew to around 350 baptized souls. The brick bell tower was built in 1966, with the bell coming from an old Lutheran church in Merricourt, ND.
Building Up the Church
By 1978, a building addition was added to the front the church to create a larger narthex, an elevator, and basement Sunday School rooms. Through the 1980s, our congregation flourished with a membership of nearly 300 members.
Celebrating 100 Years
In 2013, Redeemer Lutheran Church celebrated her 100th anniversary and enjoyed the reunion of several former pastors who have served her over the decades. Today, we are once more a smaller congregation in size, but joyful as ever to be united around Christ and His Word.
Our Building Through the Years
Photo: 1920s
formerly the Evangelical Church
This structure served our church well from 1919 to 1950, until the congregation finally outgrew the seating capacity.
Photo: 1963
Redeemer Lutheran Church
This image was taken in commemoration of the 50th year anniversary of the church’s founding.
Photo: 1978
Redeemer Lutheran Church
The newest addition can be seen here. The old stained-glass and lamps were incorporated in the new design.
Our Pastors
Redeemer has been blessed by the service of many faithful shepherds over more than 100 years.
Mission Plant Pastors
Rev. Walter Stolper (1913-1916)
Rev. H. F. Eggers (1916-1921)
Called Pastors
Rev. Carl Schulz (1921-1925)
Rev. J. A. Schamber (1926-1931)
Rev. K. F. Wentzel (1931-1947) – Vacancy Pastor of 16 years
Rev. A. L. Grumm (1947-1952)
Rev. Louis Becker (1953-1957)
Rev. Leroy Westphal (1958-1963)
Rev. Paul Bunkowske (1964-1968)
Rev. Walter Lorenz (1968-1974)
Rev. Carl Miller (1974-1983)
Rev. Gary Buss (1983-1993)
Rev. Donald Polege (1994-2012)
Rev. Aaron Hambleton (2015-2020)
Rev. Christopher Durham (2022-present)