Light of the Cross Lutheran Church in Bothell is celebrating its 25th anniversary Jan. 20. The church is inviting the public to join in the celebration and remember the beginning of the church, a milestone in the community.
The church was started by pastor Gerald Erickson and family when they moved to Bothell from Texas to start the new church in 1983.
Erickson grew up in the Port Angeles area and was eager to return to the Pacific Northwest. A steering committee and early help from the synod assisted in finding land to build on.
The church members held their first worship service on June 6, 1982, at Woodside Elementary School in Bothell. Erickson and members opened their homes for meetings, choir and confirmation students.
They signed their formal organizational charter on Jan. 16, 1983. Services were held in the school until their church building was completed. They held their first worship service in the new building on July 28, 1985, and officially dedicated the building on Sept. 29, 1985.
Erickson served his parish until the fall of 1995 when medical issues forced his early retirement. In 1996, pastor Bob Johnson was appointed interim pastor and served the church until the new pastor could arrive. Pastor Tom Hamren was welcomed in February 1997. His family, wife Kim and sons Zack, Dustin, Corey and Ben, joined him in June of that year, and he has served ever since.
The church welcomes the community, current and former members, friends and families to attend this celebration.
For more information, call the church office at 425-485-8974.
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