Our History 1959-2010
Here we will tell the story of the beginnings of our church and how we became what we are today.
The nucleus that became Messiah Lutheran was composed of five Lutheran families that had moved into the Parker area. The year was 1959. Our first meeting was held in the historic jail in the city park. From that time on, the fellowship of Christ has evolved into an active congregation, a Sanctuary and an adjacent Family Life Center.
A pastor from either Blythe or Brawley California served the group as a "preaching station". Usually the pastor came to Parker once a week. He would visit members and new prospects in the afternoon, teach confirmation classes after school and then conduct Bible study and adult prayer services in the evening.
By 1976, the group had grown sufficiently to warrant a new approach. The pooling of family resources and savings allowed us the purchase of some property and the laying of building plans to build a sanctuary. Since none of our homes was large enough to accommodate this new growth, various buildings were rented until building could be started in l980.
To coincide with the building project, a large number of winter visitors began coming to Parker. Messiah became the church away from home for Lutherans across the snow belt. We continue to provide this home and welcome all visitors to our midst.