“75 Years in God’s Hands”
Isaiah 62:3 - “You shall be…a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”
This is true for us because of God’s calling and grace!
The previous anniversary article reached the point in Redeemer Lutheran’s history where Pastor Albert Quoss was installed in December, 1978 as Redeemer’s pastor.
By the beginning of 1983 Redeemer Lutheran had grown to 341 souls and the congregation’s space for education and worship were stretched to their limits. At the same time the congregation burned the existing mortgage on its properties. Plans were formulated to build a new sanctuary and make the existing building useful for education and administrative purposes.
Groundbreaking for the new sanctuary took place on May 29, 1983. It was hoped to be able to worship there by Reformation Sunday in October. However, on July 31 a violent thunderstorm struck Claremore and toppled the framing for the building. Work had to begin anew, and the cornerstone was set in place on October 2. On December 11 the morning worship service included a procession to the new sanctuary and the transfer of articles from the old to the new. At 3 p.m. on the same day the service of dedication took place with a reception following it served by the Redeemer Lutheran Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. The new sanctuary was also home to a new organ.
During 1984 and 1985 the “old” sanctuary building underwent renovations that included a modern kitchen, walls, carpet, and refurbished offices. Harry Powers led this effort and was publicly thanked for it by the congregation on Easter Sunday, 1986.
In September, 1988, after much planning and hard work, a cooperative preschool named Treasury Learning Center was opened at Redeemer Lutheran. Ruby Bickford was hired as the first teacher.
In 1997 the congregation purchased property to the south of its existing buildings. That fall when it became evident that Redeemer Lutheran needed more educational space, a new classroom building was constructed on this property. All labor was donated as well as many of the furnishings with construction supervised by Harry Powers and Dick Thornburg. The building was dedicated on December 7, 1997. The congregation also established a 5-Year Planning Committee to study and recommend future building needs.
In March, 1998 Pastor Quoss’ resignation was accepted by the congregation. He resigned to be able to join his wife Jan who had been promoted with the American Red Cross with a position in Virginia. Pastor Quoss’ final service was on Pentecost, May 31. In the same service he officiated for the confirmations of 11 young people.
