St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church
Long Range Planning Committee
History, Ministry, Worship & Building
Message from our founding Pastor Floyd Brause, more than forty years ago: “We live in changing times. When the original Church survey was conducted in Anchorage…it was the considered opinion of “experts” that the projected growth for St. Mark would be a maximum of 350 adults. It was felt that such a church would be all we would ever be able to establish in this area. Now we realize that there is no limit to our size, except our own lack of enthusiasm and faith. Changes have taken place in Anchorage, which were not anticipated by even the wildest schemers ten years ago. No one realized what the oil industry would mean to the state. No one dreamed there were such resources so readily accessible in Alaska. Much more lies ahead. What it is we do not know, but we know God will guide His Church through it. Changes are taking place in the outlook of the church. It has become much more critical of its work and place in the community. This is good. We must be aware of change, and always be ready to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way that a changing world will listen. This then is our purpose in Anchorage. We are here to serve the Living God, and His people. Anyone in need is His concern. Let us show God’s love by serving them”
History
In the fall of 1958, Dr. Karl S. Henry (then the United Lutheran Church in America Secretary of the Division of Survey and Research, Board of American Missions) made a trip to Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Whitehorse. The information he collected on the trip made him feel that there should be congregations of the ULCA in each of these cities.
In April 1959, the Board of American Missions in New York City interviewed Pastor Floyd Brause, then serving a congregation in Brainerd, Minnesota, concerning a possible call to become Mission Developer in Anchorage, Alaska. Floyd had worked at “just about everything” from truck driving to greenskeeping; from hardware and shoe sales to selling magazines door to door. “I was even a gandy dancer on the Duluth, Mesabi and Iron Range Railroad,” he reminisced, “and the ministry wasn’t really on my mind until the fall of 1939”. He married his grade school sweetheart Lucille his last year at Gustavus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. He was ordained in June 1947, and his first parish was in Sandstone Minnesota. Floyd said, “Working at a regular job makes you understand that when a layman gives his time to the church, it’s valuable. He’s really giving after working a full day somewhere else.”
In May 1959 the call was extended and Pastor Brause accepted. “We had thought about coming to Alaska for several years,” Pastor Brause said. He submitted his resignation in Brainerd after having served there as Pastor for over six years.
Pastor and Mrs. Lucille Brause, their sons Alan, Corey and Jay attended a Home Mission School in Colorado in July. Then they drove up the Alaska Highway, pulling a camping trailer and “enjoying” every mile of it. They arrived in Anchorage on August 6 1959, and spent the first nine days in a trailer park, during heavy rains.
Get the story from Lucille of their trip to Alaska. Joy Lutheran should have that story recorded. Shannon said she would ask them for that.
Ask Alice about what happened when the Brause’s arrived—she said she had new shoes and they got wet.
After a long search, a home was located at 2602 Maplewood, a couple blocks off Lake Otis in Rogers Park. Through the good work of Dr. Edwin Bracher, Synod President, the home was purchased for $36,000. It served as a fine parsonage and center of activity for the pastor’s family.
Shortly thereafter, church property was “spoken for” across from Lake Otis Elementary School. The cost was $32,000, undeveloped. Pastor Brause began a house-to-house survey of the area bounded on the north by Fifteenth Avenue and DeBarr Road; on the south by Tudor Road; on the west by the Seward Highway; and on the east by Boniface Road. “I had calluses on my knuckles” Pastor Brause remembered. Approximately 1,200 calls were made during a six week period and 150 adult Lutherans were discovered, of whom over a hundred were already affiliated with a Lutheran Church. “It was a valuable experience in so many ways,” he continued, “it’s good for every pastor to get the layman’s viewpoint.
Rented facilities for church services were found in a building at 16th and Foraker (now called Logan) in City View near Airport Heights School (Currently the building houses a 7th Day Adventist Church). The congregation was given a 30’ X 30’ room for $250/month rent. The room was quickly converted to church use after Sgt. Wallace Anderson constructed an altar, pulpit, railing and Baptismal Font. The first service was held on Sunday, November 15, 1959, with ninety-six people present. With a great potluck and coffee, it was a joyful occasion for the pastor and the people attending.
We have a picture of the first Vacation Bible School group together near 15th.
Sunday School started on the last Sunday in November with an enrollment of thirty-four enthusiastic children. A piano was purchased and paid for on the monthly installment plan. We were fortunate to find a good piano for $550. One hundred folding chairs were ordered after using borrowed chairs for many months. The borrowed chairs came from King’s Lake Camp and had to be returned when their camping season started.
With much food and coffee, St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church was officially organized on Palm Sunday, April 10, 1960 with 61 adults and 55 children.
Lucille Brause remembers many of the people who were instrumental in helping she and Floyd help get St. Mark off to a good start:
Ken and Alice Crewdson
Ken Johnson
Francis “Obie” Weeks
Dave Jentsch
Glenn Link
Edie and Dewey Erickson
Vi and Ed Dick
Harry and Phyllis Knutson
Marge Bowman and her husband (Luther League leaders too?)
Vern Sture
Ray and Phyllis Gielarowski
Wally and Joan Anderson
Jerry and Evelyn Swanson
Earl and Marguerite Barnard
Ray and Dee Boozer
Jeanette Thario
Maebelle Nielson
Gene and Carol DeVeaux
Jack and Jan Elstun
Walter and Janet Moritz
George and Gerene Olson
Steve and Cheryl Phillips
Dick and Muriel Brooks
Bob and Toni Reupke
Gordon and Aud Severson
Dr. and Lydia Tschopp
Dorea Sun
Jake and Mickey Knapp
Fall 1960 the Luther League youth group was organized. Harry and Phyllis Knutson were Counselors. A canoe trip on the Swanson River trails was an important activity each summer. Twyla Mundy remembers being a novice on one of the trips that she and one of the Barnard girls went on. It had been a dry summer, so there wasn’t much water in some places. Many portages were necessary. It was slow going and took longer than expected. The two canoes got separated—one of them had the food, the other the sleeping bags. It started to rain and the group headed by Phyllis Knutson (with the food) spotted a hunter on a hill and asked if they could join him. They were able to create a little shelter, but there was “no room at the inn” for Gary Knutson, so he slept out in the rain—or at least tried. The story is that he fell asleep at the wheel on the way home! The other group was cold, so Pastor Brause tore the Gospel of Matthew out of his Bible to start a fire. Lucille remembers that he often thought of that, but he believed that God had forgiven him for burning Matthew J The next morning, the two groups met at the end of the trail and were greeted by some very relieved parents when they arrived late in Anchorage.
Luther League used to do the Easter Breakfasts (but there were complaints that the eggs were never cooked right), sledding and many fun activities. Luther Leaguers continued canoeing for many years.
January 5, 1961 United Lutheran Church Women’s group organized. The head of LCW from Philadelphia came up for the event. There is a big record book. Early on, the women were always expected to bring the food, take care of the nursery, altar guild, etc. Then Alice Crewdson became President. Alice wrote a letter to Council that LCW would do certain things, but that LCW is mainly an educational organization. It was quite a shock to the men on the council. Of course, the women continued to take care of those “traditional” things, but not under the auspices of LCW.
March 1961 a Couples club was organized for evangelism and fellowship.
The First Unit building construction was awarded to Western Construction Company, with groundbreaking ceremonies held on Sunday, August 6, 1961. The total cost of the First Unit was $122,000 for a 52’ by 80’ building with Chapel, Fellowship Hall and office space. Lucille said that the women were mad at Pastor Brause for a long time because he didn’t convince the architect to build a larger kitchen. Jerry Swanson and Carl Bergstedt enlarged it later. College Village subdivision was being developed during this same time. It was considered the far southern end of Anchorage. Lake Otis Elementary and Wendler Jr. High School were already built across the street, but there was nothing but trees on this side. The first service was held in the First Unit November 26, 1961. With much food and coffee, the building was dedicated March 11, 1962. Wally Anderson and Dave Jentsch received the keys from the architects, McIntyr and Pendergrast. The President of ULCA came up here from Seattle, so he’s in the pictures too.
In 1962 United Lutheran Church in America, Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church (Swedish), Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church merged to become the Lutheran Church in America.
Neil and Julianne Lanum were the first couple married in the first unit. (Their son Robby still lives in Anchorage now)
First Baptism in the first Unit was _________________
John Barstad volunteered to create a database of baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, if someone will get the information to him.
Pastor Brause didn’t do many funerals back in those days—we were younger then!
The confirmation classes in the early days were quite large—Alice Crewdson remembers her son’s had 20 kids in it.
On Good Friday March 28, 1964 we experienced a 9.2 magnitude Earthquake. There were quite a few aftershocks on Saturday. When the earthquake happened Ken Johnson lived a little west of Turnagain Drive. He got shook around a bit at work during the quake. When he got home, most of the houses on his street had fallen into the Inlet, but his house was still standing…..for a couple of days. Easter Sunday we were joyous that we were all still alive! Lucille remembers Maebelle Nielson sitting at Easter service afterward (of course we were without power).
We were anxious to get started with adding on to our building, but because of the earthquake we had to wait for Earthquake Engineers from San Francisco to approve the plans before we could start building. The earthquake only caused a crack in flooring in the hall of the first unit.
We needed more Sunday Church School rooms--we used to have to take our kids to the gym in Lake Otis Elementary. Anchorage School District didn’t have any kindergartens at the time, but we had two kindergarten classes at St. Mark. They were organized as a non-profit service to the community. So, in September 1965 construction began on the Second Unit (named at the request of Ken Crewdson), a 18’ x 26’ classroom addition to the north of the church. It was dedicated January 21, 1966 as the new Sunday Church School and kindergarten area. The classroom addition was sort of a “bootleg” building project—Synod didn’t know anything about it. We used in-house talent. Dewey Erickson was the head honcho on the job, and did a magnificent job. Ken was on the finance committee and his favorite part of this building project was going to the bank to get a loan. We weren’t sure our bank, NBA, would go for it, but they agreed to give us the loan. The banker then asked us when we planned to start. He about fell out of his chair when we said we were about half done! About that time someone from Synod came up and asked, “What’s this?” Easier to “ask forgiveness than permission”, right?
After the Anchorage School District began kindergarten classes and we no longer were using our space for our private kindergarten space we rented space to Lake Otis Elementary for two rooms of first graders.
In February of 1968, with a Grant-in-Aid from the Board of American Missions, we were able to hire a full time Parish Worker, Carol Gustafson. She mainly took care of the office and did visitations. Two years later she assumed a full salary schedule.
A building fund campaign directed by Lutheran Laymen’s Movement for Stewardship was completed in early 1969, allowing Board of Missions assistance to secure construction financing for a Third Unit, consisting of main church, offices, sacristy, and fireside lounge. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held after Service on Sunday, June 8 1969. With much food and coffee, dedication services were held on Sunday, January 18, 1970. Cost of the third unit was $202,000, including the architect’s fees. The firm of McEntire and Pendergrast served as architects for both first and third units. After completion of these units, the building and property was valued at approximately $450,000 and provided adequate facilities for a congregation of a thousand adults.
On Jan 24, 1970 Twyla and Wayne Mundy were the first to be married in the new Sanctuary. It was her first trip out of Pittsburgh and her husband met her here.
The little Chapel (which is now the Youth Group’s room) was dedicated November 3, 1971.
We always had choirs, even back in the early days. Alice Crewdson has a cassette from the Easter program and pictures. Ken Crewdson played the merchant who bit the coin in the Easter Story. Many of our great musical people were military. Jan Elstun learned from one of the early military organists. We’ve had great choir directors, Bill Dries from the Air Force was one, and Lydia Tschopp was another. Lydia and Ruth Carson led one musical program we did in Palmer called “Natural High” and we did one in Valdez wearing rainbow colored T shirts and rainbow colored suspenders--it was very ‘70s. Ruth Carson, with the help of her husband Mike, produced the “Music Machine”. Shirley Sture and Gene DeVeaux had parts in it, as well as others.
Ken Crewdson and Pastor Brause went to a Synod convention together. He said they were really ticked off because on the map of the Northwest Synod it showed Alaska as a rectangle near the San Juan Islands. Since they had to overnight in Seattle, they went up to the top of the Space Needle. Ken had a drink with the pastor and will always remember commiserating about how bad Alaska was treated by the Synod J
In April 1972, after seeing the congregation grow to more than 500 worshipers, and a modern building emerge; Pastor Brause accepted a call to the Republic of South Africa. Pastor Brause felt he’d been here long enough, but no one else wanted to see them go.
There was a lady from South Africa who cleaned at Lake Otis Elementary who came to Pastor Brause and told him he just didn’t know what he was getting into, and that he shouldn’t go. She had a premonition that his faith was so strong that he wouldn’t be as quiet as he was supposed to be.
Lucille was a secretary at Lake Otis Elementary School, so our kids had a double whammy losing both of these important people. With much food and coffee, we said goodbye. Mickey said there were many tears and she ate too many sweets at the going away party because she was so upset.
They packed up the car and left in May. They attended their son Cory’s wedding in Seattle. Then Pastor and Lucille Brause, with their son Jay, got briefed in New York as to what to expect and how to respond in Africa. They sat in Minnesota quite a while waiting for their Visas, which finally came the end of June. When they left America it was summer here, but winter there. Lucille said she froze more there than she ever did here.
They first landed in Frankfurt, then arrived in Tel Aviv just after a shooting that left many persons dead and wounded. “That was really when we felt anxiety”, soft-spoken Lucille Brause says, “Up until then we hadn’t been frightened at all”. From Tel Aviv the Brauses flew to Johannesburg and then went overland to Welkom, a city southwest of the capital. While they found South Africa fascinating and got to see wild animals in natural settings and explore gold mines—there were 24 in the vicinity and their son Jay worked in one of them—the family decided to leave. “Being unable to accept the government’s Apartheid policy (which was important to some people in the congregation) made it difficult to stay on,” Pastor Brause said sadly. “But we feel much richer for the experience”, Lucille said. “It made us really appreciate the United States. “I know what people mean when they say they feel like kissing the ground when they return—I felt that way too”.
The Brauses returned to their homeland, via Rio de Janeiro, in 1972. After touring the states and stopping in Arizona and Louisiana, they arrived at the Lutheran Synod office in Seattle. There they learned that Eagle River was a possible new parish, so they headed for Alaska again just before Christmas in 1972. After knocking on doors in the Eagle River area, much as he had done in Anchorage in 1959, Pastor Brause established Joy Lutheran Church (under the Pacific Northwest Synod of the Lutheran Church in America) in Eagle River in 1973. The name reflected the spirit of the new church. The Brauses said, “Church should be an enjoyable experience.” The name probably was also meaningful personally to the Brauses in their feelings about returning to Alaska. Among the families helping to found this church were 24 persons who had once been members of St. Mark, who had moved to Eagle River. “It’s a case of a large church mothering a small new one,” Pastor Brause said.
Later the Brauses were founding members of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Peters Creek.
Pastor John Baglien arrived at St. Mark on August 1,1972 and served until August 1977. “Being so far removed gave Alaskans an individualistic and pioneer spirit, said Pastor Baglien. “There are bumper stickers here that read, “I don’t give a damn how they do it in the other 48. But then last New Year we saw the Rose Bowl game live on television, and that made us feel that we were in tune with everybody else. Even so, we saw it by satellite because Alaska is so much farther west than California.
Pastor C. Thomas Kangas was installed December 13, 1977 and served until November 1988. We’re still looking for more information on the years Pastor Kangas was here.
Associate Pastor Conrad Zipperian arrived July 1, 1975 and served until January 1978. Ken Crewdson was in the choir at the time, and Pastor Zipperian’s wife Sammy was too. She instituted a wine break. Ken was very sorry to see her leave. She started a good tradition of hugging.
We really need to document more about the above pastors—If you have stories, please send them in to the office!
The parsonage was sold to the Kangases in October of 1978.
In November 1978 Roy Helms donated his one rank Portativ pipe organ, which is now in Pastor Rick’s office being renovated.
In May 1979 the Lutheran Book of Worship was first used at St. Mark.
On January 12, 1980 John Liljenstolpe was ordained at St. Mark, and called as Chaplain at Providence.
In January 1981 the following Mission Statement was adopted, "The Mission of Saint Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church of Anchorage, Alaska is to enrich the people of the congregation with the Word and Sacrament; to provide opportunities of Christian Education and to encourage personal growth through study and prayer; to support each other with friendship, compassion, concern, and prayer; to strengthen each one's desire and ability to witness to God's love through word and deed to the family of Saint Mark, to the community of Anchorage, to our nation, and to the world."
In the fall of 1981 the Preschool program was taken over by St. Mark.
The first “Show and Share” was held February 7, 1982. People brought things they had made, hobbies, etc for this event-It was a very popular event for many years.
Dr. Charles Tschopp said that a committee for a larger organ started in 1983 with someone who wanted to donate money to get one. Marguerite Barnard was Chairperson and Henra Sundt was Treasurer. Eric Knapp remembers being on the committee, as was Ken Crewdson. Ken wanted an electronic organ because he thought we’d get a lot more for our money that way, but was outvoted. Kenneth Jones, an Irish manufacturer, had the lowest bid because of a very heavy subsidy that the Irish government had at that time. Mr. Jones made several trips over here, first measuring for it, then several as he was tuning. He also took advantage of his time here to talk to many other churches, so there are three similar organs in Anchorage: one at St. Marys, one at the University and one in Chugiak. Ours was the first, and the others were sold on the basis of ours. Bill and Penny Manns went to Ireland after it was built to check it out, then it was disassembled and sent here. We reassembled it in the sanctuary. Muriel Brooks said the organ parts were still sitting all over the pews when Carolyne’s daughter was getting married. She had to ask Mr. Jones if he was done working on it so the wedding could start, and he asked “Oh is it that time already?” Muriel thought that the parts were still lying around when Coral Bohne got married too. It was finally dedicated on September 11, 1983.
In December 1984 the “Yard Birds” (Jack Elstun, Jake Knapp and Ken Crewdson) were formed (and don’t forget the birdettes!). The name was Jake’s idea. Jack said whenever the Yardbirds had “a rock party” they were really were picking up rocks, which they did for a very long time in order to make the yard nice. The Yardbirds worked hard maintaining the church’s property, of course, but they also knew how to have fun, with their tradition of beer breaks. Dr. Gruba, a good catholic from St. Anthony’s, lived across the street around this time. The guys had been working very hard and Dr. Gruba came across the street with a cooler. They all sat down and had a beer with him. Apparently Dr. Gruba appreciated the guys working hard to make his view nicer. Another beer party occurred when we painted the parsonage. Pastor Baglien said “You bring the people, and I’ll bring the beer.” We used to have a big Cottonwood tree in the Southeast corner of the property. As long as Jake was in town it was untouchable, but one time he left town. Ken Crewdson said he doesn’t know WHAT happened to that tree ;-)
Mickey Knapp, Jane Kangas, Thelma Butcher and Jeanette Thario planned four events to celebrate St. Mark’s 25th anniversary in 1985: in April the “Joy of New Beginnings” with guest Pastor Floyd Brause, in July the “Joy of Family Reunion” with guest Pastor John Baglien, in September the “Joy of Music” with guest Pastor Conrad Zipperian, and in October the “Joy of Service” with guest LCA Bishop James Crumley.
In December 1986 Bell Choir formed with Lydia Tschopp as director. Lydia said Ruth Carson bought the first couple of bells. Then Orville Benge died--As a memorial, his wife gave us a full octave of bells, and through other contributions we now have at least four octaves.
In June 1987 the Constituting Convention of the Alaska Synod of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America was held in Sitka. The Lutheran Church in America merged with American Lutheran Church and Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. St. Mark had been part of the Pacific Northwest Synod of the LCA. Anchorage Lutheran, Central, and Hope were here before us, but they were ALC. We were next (the first LCA church in Anchorage), then Amazing Grace started. When the merger happened, there were seven LCA churches in Alaska. ALC had several more than that, and there were no AELC groups in Alaska. There was a lot of discussion about whether we could afford to become a Synod—there is still discussion about that.
The ELCA and Missouri Synod have tried to work together on establishing new missions so they don’t duplicate effort. Sometimes that is helpful, sometimes not. Peters Creek is one area where starting a congregation was delayed because there was a Missouri Synod congregation in Chugiak.
Mickey Knapp remembers Waldo Lindberg. He was the Assistant to the Bishop in LCA. She said when they did long range planning there would be all this newsprint plastered all over the walls. After he left it didn’t seem like much changed, but he certainly went to bat for us on many occasions.
January 1989 Interim Pastor Eric Sigmar and his wife, Svava, arrived. Interim Pastor Eric Sigmar served until July 1989.
In September 1989 Pastor Rick Cavens was installed. ***Need more info here, ***
With much food and coffee, we burned our mortgage (and we have a picture album of the party) in October 1992.
In August 1994 the Full Gospel New Life (Korean) Church began worship at St. Mark (until ???)
Bimen Limbong was born May 11, 1969 in a small and remote village of North Sumatra, Indonesia. He came from a big family with five brothers and three sisters. He was raised Christian in an Islamic environment. His father was a lay minister and started a church in their village, which he led until he died in 1995. In 1991 Bimen attended Batak Lutheran Church Theological Seminary in North Sumatra, and he graduated in 1995. Jerry Hekkel had gotten to know Bimen before he graduated, when Jerry was teaching English in the Seminary in Indonesia.
Dave Prewitt remembered Jerry Hekkel really trying to light a fire under us to bring Bimen over. We had a vacancy on council at the time so we made Jerry a deal. If he’d be on the Council we’d bring Bimen over. So, in November 1995 Vicar Bimen Limbong arrived from Indonesia to begin ministry at St. Mark. It was quite a change in his life, moving from a warm climate near the Equator to Alaska. It was quite a change for St. Mark too—Our faith was sparked by this eager young Seminarian.
Bimen filled in as guest Pastor during the absence of Pastor Lars Clausen at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Nome May-July 1996.
The thing Pastor Bimen remembers most about those days is that he was REALLY cold. Jerry Hekkel had to explain to him what snow was. Then Pastor Rick took him up to flattop to go dog mushing, but there was a language problem and Pastor Rick thought Bimen wanted to drive. Pastor Rick just let go and the dogs took off really fast. Bimen thought he was going to die!
One time Jerry made spaghetti for Bimen and asked him if he liked it and Bimen said NO. Jerry explained to Bimen that in our culture people were polite, so the next time someone was planning to make dinner for Bimen and asked him if he liked Spaghetti, he said YES As time went on he learned…after eating Eskimo ice cream in Shishmaref, they asked him if he liked it and he said, “Well, it’s different.” Shishmaref was really cramped when Bimen visited there. They didn’t have many beds, but there was a short couch and Bimen exclaimed, “Hey, look it’s made just to fit me!” Amazing how God provides. One time he was playing hide and seek, he climbed a tree. No one expected it, but he took pictures of a bunch of people looking for him. They told him he was like a monkey in the tree.
Bimen had never celebrated his Birthday before coming to America. The night of his first birthday here he was to have dinner with Scott Bohne. Scott stopped by the church on the way, and Bimen said, “What are all these cars here for?” Scott said, “Maybe it’s a meeting”, Bimen said, “No, I recognize so and so’s cars”. Boy, was he surprised!
Two summers Bimen served the Seamen mission in Juneau, helping the crews with translation and ministering to the members.
With St. Mark’s financial help, Bimen attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul Minnesota in 1997. At the same time he worked at Emmanuel Lutheran Church as an associate Pastor. He was also involved in ministry to the Indonesian students at the University of Minnesota, their families, and the Agora Ministry.
In May 1999 Associate Pastor Carin Bjorn von Letzendorf (Pastor Bear) was installed. She was born in Stockholm and was a teacher and opera coach there from 1976-1980. She got her Ph.D. in 1982, with a major in piano performance. In 1995 she got her Masters Degree in Divinity, and major in theological ethics. She worked as a pastor 1996-1999 in Sweden. She composed choral music, was a teacher, student and a recitalist at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester in New York. She gave solo performances live, and in studio recordings for the National Swedish Radio, and for the Swedish Royal family, and toured in Sweden and Europe. She accepted a call to Delta Junction, Alaska in May 2001.
On April 9, 2000 St. Mark celebrated its 40th Anniversary with much food and coffee. There was an announcement the previous day in the Anchorage Daily News inviting the community to help celebrate. Pastor Cavens officiated. Pastor Bear gave a piano recital, and a musicale included the St. Mark organ, vocal and bell choirs. Members were joyous to include in the planning of this celebration that the Founding Pastor, Floyd Brause, and his wife Lucille transfer their membership back to St. Mark since they had moved back to Anchorage. However, a month before the celebration Pastor Brause died. It was a sad occasion, but a blessing also, as he had been very ill. Many longtime members supported the family and sponsored Lucille as she transferred back to St. Mark.
In 2001 Bimen Limbong graduated from Luther Seminary with his Doctorate and married Berliana (a girl he had grown up with). In 2002 he was ordained (in Minneapolis) and was called to serve as Youth and Family Minister at St. Mark.
In January 2001, St. Mark was presented with a Building “Readiness Study” results and analysis report, compiled by Jeff Crain. The Church Fundraising Committee had proposed to the congregation that a “Readiness Study” become part of the general program to evaluate stewardship education and building fundraising campaign. Since 1994 church members had been discussing options for improving the church structure. Many needs were discussed--from expanded classroom space, upgraded offices and bathrooms, a preschool addition as well as an expanded Narthex. In the fall of 2000, the Congregation selected a new Narthex as the first priority for expansion. The existing Narthex did not provide sufficient gathering space for the fellowship that is so important to a functioning church.
The architectural firm of Bezek-Durst-Seiser was selected to design the new structure and subsequently, Taylored Restoration Services was hired to construct the new addition. May 19, 2002 ground was broken and the new structure took shape over the subsequent months. The first buildings were heated by oil, and then later converted to natural gas. The buried oil tank was removed with construction in 2002. On February 16th, 2003, the dedication of the Narthex was performed.
On August 27, 2003 the new Long Range Planning Committee held a “History Night” so we could hear stories and see pictures from our past, and record it for our future. Special thanks go to the Knapps for bringing slides and picture albums.
Ministry
Through it all, people cite friendliness as the reason for the church’s success. In interviews with members, “welcoming” is the word that surfaces again and again. “I think people feel comfortable and at ease, and yet challenged”, said long time member Mickey Knapp, a former president of the church council. She and her husband Jake drive from the Abbott Loop area for services and she says many other members come from Sand Lake, downtown, the military bases, west and even further south Anchorage. Another longtime member Janet Moritz, said the church feels like a family. “They take you where you’re at, not where you should be”.
St. Mark has an active Fellowship Commission, led by Janice Orzechowski. We do things like “Parents Night Out”, Block Parties, and Potlucks after the 11am service the third Sunday of every month, May through September.
We sponsor a Boy Scout Troop, Troop 5, which meets at 7pm each Thursday throughout the year.
Music Ministry enriches the worship experience at St. Mark and provides an opportunity for all ages to take an active part. Every Sunday finds one of St. Mark’s musical groups, be it the Senior Choir, the Adult Bell Choir, Youth Bell Choir, Chime Choir, or the Church Band performing. Children’s Chimes participants practice at 12: 30pm and Youth Bells practice at 1pm, September through May. Bell Choir practices at 6:30pm each Monday and at 9:45am each Sunday. Chancel Choir practices at 6:30pm each Wednesday, September through May.
Christian Education is an important part of the ministry of St. Mark.
St. Mark Preschool continues to be a strong and vital education and outreach ministry for ages 3-5. They are an Evangelical Lutheran Education Association recognized school, and are licensed by the State of Alaska. They have Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes 9:00am to 11:30 and 12:30 to 3:00pm and Thursday/Thursday classes 9:00am to 11:30am. Cookie Moen is the Preschool Director. The Preschool’s Mission Statement is “We believe that each child is a unique gift of God with individual needs, personalities and abilities. Children of all races and creeds are readily accepted and respected. We try to instill a positive and healthy self-image in each child through the love and care of the staff members and our program. We strive to use and adapt our program to fit the child as an individual in a loving and positive Christian atmosphere.”
Sunday School is offered at 9:45 am for preschoolers through adults. Marge Larson is the Sunday School Superintendent. Gene DeVeaux leads the adult Sunday School/Bible Study.
Several Bible study groups provide additional opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship. One is Pastor Rick’s Bible Study and Breakfast at 7am each Tuesday September through May. The Women of ELCA group holds several Women’s Bible Studies and a “Heart Sisters” program, as well as holding an Annual Women’s Tea. All women are welcome to join. Janet Moritz is leading the Monday night bible study, and Mickey Knapp has information on Saturday morning and Monday afternoon study groups.
Pastor Rick periodically holds a three-session class for those individuals interested in becoming members of St. Mark.
St. Mark is governed by our Constitution and By-Laws. The Church Council is led by Kristi Johnson and meets at 6:30 pm on the third Tuesday of every month. Confirmed Members are welcome to attend, and encouraged to participate in the life of our congregation by joining one of the following Commissions:
Mutual Ministries’ goal is to make sure the congregation understands the needs of our staff, to do performance evaluations, and to deal with issues before they turn into problems. Mutual Ministries Commission meets at 6:45pm on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Brian Crewdson is Chair.
The Long Range Planning Committee is chaired by Shannon McBride.
Property Commission takes care of maintaining our building and our grounds. They meet at 7:00 pm on the 2nd Monday of each month. Jake Knapp and Bob Reupke co-chair.
The Commissions responsible for Worship (Mickey Knapp Chair), Mission (Delesta Fox and Janet Moritz Co-Chairs), Fellowship, Finance (Kathy Bristow Chair), Outreach (Tonya Quiett Chair) and Education (Marge Larson Chair) meet at 6:30 the 2nd Thursday of each month.
Our Treasurer and Financial Secretary back each other up. They are Winnie Trietline and Kevin Swanson.
Our Parish Secretary is Heather Robinson.
Our Wedding Coordinator is Tonya Quiett.
St. Mark’s Ministry does not stop at our church’s walls. Members of St. Mark contribute the makings of a complete spaghetti dinner for the residents of Clare House the 2nd Tuesday of each month, and sandwiches to Brother Francis Shelter on the 4th Monday of each month. With budgeted benevolences and involvement we support Lutheran Social Services, and Habitat for Humanity. The family of St. Mark ministers to our community, to our “adopted” churches of River of Life (previous name: St. Luke) in Peter’s Creek, Shishmaref, Wales, and (through Church World Service/CROP, the ELCA, and the Alaska Synod) those in need throughout the world.
Worship Services
Sundays
8:30 am (Communion on 2nd and 4th Sundays)
11:00 am (Communion on 1st and 3rd Sundays)
8:00pm (Compline: Chant and scripture readings intended to bring a quiet calm to those who gather to hear God’s word at the end of the day)
A staffed Nursery is provided for infants to 5 years during the first two services. Children are also welcome to worship with their family. There is a Children’s sermon during the first two services.
Wednesday 12:15pm services are held throughout the year.
Building Symbolism
It was the work of the Planning Council, organized more than eighteen months before construction began, that contributed the groundwork to building the Third Unit, Main Church. Almost one hundred St. Mark members sat in committee meetings determining the needs of the congregation before any plans were put on paper. The entire report, bound into an 8 ½” x 11” book was given to the architect, McEntire and Pendergrast, making it possible for them to determine needs without lengthy meetings with the Church Council.
One of the interesting features of the building is the fact that glass doors have been used in both sets of double doors entering the Narthex. From the Narthex to the Nave, there are also two glass doors. Thus, from the street one can see directly in to the altar, where the backlit cross on the wall gives adequate, silent witness to our faith night and day.
Entrance to the church is gained without the necessity of negotiating a single step. One may step out of a car directly to the sidewalk and walk into the church without stepping up. This met State of Alaska requirements for accessibility since the very first day in our building.
The redwood exterior and interior of the building will be easy to keep up over the years. This is especially true of the redwood interior, which should require almost no maintenance. The plastered front wall and Chancel area make it possible to change the color scheme from time to time.
Our first sign leaned against the building until Eric Knapp painted it and set it in concrete near the street for his Eagle Scout project. A replacement sign will be installed in 2004, also the result of an Eagle Scout project.
Several items that were used in the First Unit Chapel were retained for use in the Second Unit. Foremost was the Chancel Cross, with its brass and walnut construction. This symbol has become a familiar aid to worship over the years and will continue to inspire us with the power of the Resurrection.
The freestanding altar with circular railing is unique to Alaska. The setting gives one the impression the importance of the altar in Lutheran liturgics. There is room for twenty-two adults at the railing during Holy Communion and there is a beneficial experience of oneness as everyone kneels in a circle to receive the body and blood of Christ.
The lecturn was built by Dude Johnson and stained by Walter Moritz.
On the front of the Pulpit the Chi Rho symbol was placed in bronze. In the original Greek text, the word "Christ" was written XRISTOS. The letters CHI (X) and RHO (P) were combined into one of the earliest known Christian symbols.
The altar candlesticks are in bronze and walnut, as well as the Missal Stand. These have been used since the days of the First Unit. The altar vases were adapted to be used as floor-standing vases to be used in the Chancel area.
The pews are oak with a charcoal stain on the backs. The seats are fully cushioned and covered with maroon nylon. Carpeting is used in the Narthex, aisle, stairs, balcony and Chancel areas. Corey Brause built the rail up to the altar, with funds from the Dewey Erickson memorial.
The balcony could seat approximately fifty people, being used for the present by the bell choir and their equipment. The organ and piano were originally both in the balcony, but have moved to the main level as they were upgraded.
A Baldwin Orga-sonic organ, two manual, was our original organ. At the time we built the Second Unit, a larger organ was desired, but beyond the means of the congregation at that time. In lieu of a new organ, larger sound chambers were constructed in the front of the church, which were wired to the organ.
Two offices were included in the Third Unit, to be used by the Parish Worker/Secretary and the Pastor. Both offices were carpeted and equipped with cupboards and bookshelves. The Associate Pastor’s office was converted from an Education Room.
The center of activity outside of Church Services is usually the Fireside room, which served as a meeting place for many organizations. The Sunday School Staff has its center just south of the Fireside room.
Adequate facilities for Sunday school were included in the First Unit. Two sessions of classes every Sunday made excellent use of these spaces. It was decided that the Chapel would not be divided into smaller rooms as originally planned, but would be used in the concept of team teaching and that of holding a number of classes in one larger area.
Music has always been an important part of worship at St. Mark. In 1983, St. Mark installed the Kenneth Jones Tracker Organ in the Sanctuary. This classical, tracker-action pipe organ was specifically designed for the St Mark sanctuary by Master Organ designer, Kenneth Jones, of Kenneth Jones Pipe Organs Ltd., of Bray, Ireland. Its 14 stops and 17 ranks are well suited to the size of the sanctuary, being calculated to give maximum sound without excess. It is sited diagonally in order to afford sound waves the longest path possible. The casework steps down toward the right to direct the eye toward the focal point of our worship, the altar and cross.
The organ casework, of solid Brazilian mahogany naturally finished and hand-rubbed, is 17'4" tall, just 2" shorter than the beam it is attached to as an earthquake precaution. Incidentally, it survived its first strong earthquake while under construction with its designer-builder situated in its upper works and, needless to say, there is the proverbial tool lost somewhere in the works without which no great project is complete!
The organ pipe display features both polished tin and mottled brown, flamed-copper pipes aesthetically placed for light and dark values. There are 868 pipes, all speaking, and the range in size from the 16' sub bass -- really an 8-footer capped to sound like a 16-footer -- to the tiniest pipe which has a speaking voice of 3/8" encased in an 8" tin pipe for easier handling.
The two organ manuals have ebony-plated naturals and ivory-capped sharps. This reversal of color is in the European tradition. The pedal board, a Kenneth Jones modification of the standard set by the American Guild of Organists, is engineered to place each pedal the minimum distance possible from the central position of the organist.
As a concession to modernity, an electric blower operates the organ’s windchest providing the necessary wind for each pipe. No longer is it necessary for a strong person to provide the handwork needed to furnish air.
Despite modifications, the principals of the tracker pipe organ are essentially the same as the first produced in Switzerland in the 14th Century, which is still being played. The mechanical action tracker endures over long periods of time with only minimal repairs.
The purpose of this organ is to enhance the worship of the members of the St Mark congregation, to support congregational singing of liturgy and hymns, and to enrich worship through special music, choir accompaniment and as a solo instrument. Through its organists, it will reflect the joys and sorrows of this congregation with the dignity inherent in the Lutheran tradition.
The baptismal font was hand-made of solid walnut by St Mark members Bob & Ruth Schmidt. It was presented to St Mark Lutheran Church on the occasion of the February 17, 2002, baptism of Galen Thomas Schmidt; Bob & Ruth's first grandchild.
The brass basin and bronze descending dove relief were "recycled" from the previous font, and were gifts to the church by long-time St Mark members Ken & Alice (aka "Shorty") Crewdson.
The octagonal shape of the baptismal font was chosen as being symbolic of the new life found in Christ through baptism. The shape originated in ancient times and is explained as follows:
From Sumerian and Babylonian times the number seven was associated with celestial bodies and spiritual forces: the seven planets (those known at that time), the seven evil spirits, the seven levels of the ziggurat, etc. According to St. Augustine, the number seven was used to express wholeness or completeness. God created the world in seven days and on the last, the seventh, he rested. The Christian life is ordered by series of seven (the seven capital sins, seven virtues, seven sacraments, seven requests in the Lord's Prayer, etc. Eight, the first number after seven, is the symbol of life, the new life after baptism. In early Christian belief, the resurrection of Christ happens on the eighth day. The octagon is thus the favored form for a Baptismal Font.
The Narthex addition in 2003 provided the church with a new identity. The large cherry and metal cross that now hangs in a vaulted "steeple" looking towards the street has made St. Mark physically “look more like a church”, which we hope will invite more people in. The space within the Narthex has provided much more room for church fellowship, group meetings and worship.
Praise God for the beauty of His Church!
Building Committee: Building Together in Christ
[excerpt from Spring 2001 Capital Stewardship Program] The Vision: By expanding our physical structure, we will create a warm and welcoming space …which in turn will increase our sense of community as a congregation and allow us to grow in faith and in numbers. As we grow in numbers, we grow in our active spirituality, and our ability to minister to each other and the community around us.
Goals of the Building Committee: Enhance the physical structure of St. Mark so that our ministry to the community will continue to flourish:
To extend our ministry beyond our church walls
To grow in our active, passionate spirituality
To increase our sense of community as a congregation
To expand our youth ministry
To create opportunities for more small groups
Since 1994 many people have been involved in the building and fundraising committees. From these discussions, three distinct building enhancement phases have emerged that would increase the functionality of our church, and the quality of our ministry:
Phase 1: The Narthex fulfilled our wish for a roomy, welcoming and gathering area. The total price tag ended up being $620K. The initial three-year pledge amount we were able to come up with was $303K. The three-year pledge was a requirement in order to obtain financing. The three-year pledge ends in June 2004, but we’ll still have approximately three more years to pay on the mortgage (unless the spirit moves us to pay it off early!)
Phase 2: The second phase of our Long Range Plan is to provide space for increased educational services. By expanding our physical structure, we will create more space for our Pre-School and other Christian education programs, which will allow us to expand our youth and family ministry. This phase adds rooms at the southern end of the current building. This addition would be utilized by our pre-school and nursery programs, and the current pre-school room would be configured for Sunday School Classes and other Youth activities. In early 2001 Bezek-Durst-Seiser estimated the cost of this phase to be $350,000, but with the cost of material increases we saw during Phase 1 construction, we should at least double that.
Phase 3: The third phase is not yet as fully defined, but generally would provide for an adequate fellowship hall to hold our numerous congregational gatherings and potlucks. This hall would provide for functional access to the kitchen and may contain a stage area. Additional ideas involve improvements to both the restroom facilities as well as the church offices.
Drawings of these Phases can be found on Page 7 of the 2001 Capital Stewardship Campaign Booklet.