| Who
We Are
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Who we are can be answered in two ways. On an individual basis we are young and old. We have a variety of everyday callings in life. Some are teachers, engineers, doctors, stay-at-home moms, students, tradesmen and of course some are now enjoying the retirement years. Most importantly we are individuals who have been called by the grace of God to be partakers of the hope of eternal life. We individually have been given grace to believe the forgiveness of our own sins in Jesus' name and blood. This grace has opened the door of heaven to us. As a church, we are part of the Laestadian Lutheran Church. The Laestadian Lutheran Church (LLC) was organized on June 9, 1973, under the name "Association of American Laestadian Congregations" (AALC). The association changed its name in 1994 in order to better convey its spiritual heritage and the nature of its organization. The teachings of Laestadianism are based on the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions. Centermost among these teachings is the sermon of Jesus' suffering, death, and victorious resurrection. The work of Jesus Christ continues in this world as the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ's congregation. Thus, the Laestadian Lutheran Church teaches of God's kingdom and preaches repentance and the forgiveness of sins. We hold, in accord with the Lutheran Confessions, that the Bible is the highest guide and authority for Christian faith, doctrine and life. |
History of
the Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church |
| The roots of known living Christianity in the Seattle area can be traced to 1945. In the Fall of that year, Evelyn and Toivo Waltari decided to move west because of Toivo's allergy to farming dust at their home in North Dakota. The brother-in-law and sister of Toivo took over the farm after World War II. On their initial trip west, Evelyn and Toivo were accompanied by her siblings Reynold and Sevia Carlson. Of the four, only Evelyn was believing at the time. After a short time in Seattle during the Fall of 1945, all except Sevia returned to North Dakota for their belongings. They had decided to make Seattle their home. After renting a room for a short time in Seattle, Evelyn and Toivo purchased a home in the Greenwood district. In the fall of 1949 on a trip to the East Coast, Toivo was converted in Worchester, Massachusetts at the Timmonen/Kauppinen services. Reynold Carlson also later received the grace of repentance. By 1950, several other believers had relocated to the West Coast including Evelyn's parents John and Anna Carlson with their daughter Marcella from Sebeka, Minnesota. During the first few years, services were held in homes. A church building was purchased in 1951, prompted by Toivo who had suggested they appropriate a "church for the children". The building was purchased for $8,000 and was located in Ballard, a predominantly Scandinavian neighborhood in the northwestern portion of Seattle. The name used by the association at that time was Seattle Apostolic Lutheran Society. The original board of directors included John Carlson, Reynold Carlson, Oscar Wickman, Arthur Soristo, Karl Hendrickson, Evelyn Waltari, and Toivo Waltari. The Christians remained at the Ballard church from 1951 until 1975. During the first quarter century, the congregation continued to grow in size due to internal family growth and relocation of families and individuals from other areas in North America and Finland. In 1962, the name was changed to the Seattle Apostolic Lutheran Congregation. At that time there were approximately 30 to 35 families plus children, making the total size of the congregation about 100 believers. In 1973, several families departed God's kingdom with a leniency heresy in American Christianity. In 1974, the name was changed to the Laestadian Congregation of Seattle, so as not to identify with those who went into heresy with the name "Apostolic Lutheran". By 1975, the size of the congregation had almost doubled from its size in 1962. The congregation began searching for a larger and more northerly building, since many congregation members had settled in Seattle's northern suburbs. The Ballard church was sold to a Baptist congregation for approximately $22,000. Until a new church was found, a community clubhouse in north Seattle was rented. In 1976, the congregation purchased a building for $52,000. It was located on one acre of land in Seattle's Lake City area. In 1979-80, a 1,200 square foot addition was built onto the Lake City church. By 1981, the congregation had outgrown the Lake City building and resolved to purchase a different building or build a new one. Also, by the early 80's, the majority of the congregation had moved to the Snohomish, Monroe, and Woodinville areas, northeast of Seattle. In January 1982, the congregation sold the Lake City church. During the interim, the Seattle Congregation rented Mariner High School in Everett (where the 1981 AALC summer services where held) and the Multi-Purpose facility in Bothell as temporary meeting places until a new church facility could be built. In July 1982 the congregation purchased approximately 6 acres of land in the Snohomish (Maltby) area and began construction of a 12,000 square foot church, which would accommodate approximately 500 people for services. In January 1983, construction of the new facility was completed and official dedication services were held from March 25 - 29, 1983. In 1998, the congregation changed the name to the Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church. Other historic events in the Seattle congregation include:
John H. Stewart |