Grace Lutheran Church (Cashmere, Wash.)

It all began on Thanksgiving Eve, 1932, when the first Lutheran service in Cashmere was conducted by Rev. H. P. Christensen at the Henry W. Rieke home on Cottage Avenue. The first public service was on February 19, 1933, and during March of that year Rev. Samuel Lentz conducted evening services there. The Luther League was formed during the ministry of Rev. Consear, and the Ladies’ Aid Society (now Women of the Church), which came into being even before the formal organization of the church itself, has continued to be an important influence in building a successful ministry in Cashmere. On July 14, 1946 ground was broken for the new church. Formal dedication was on Rogate Sunday, May 2, 1948. Rev Oestreich was instrumental in organizing Lake Chelan Lutheran Church and Faith Lutheran Church in Leavenworth. During Rev. Reitz’s ministry the parsonage on Cottage Avenue was sold and the congregation purchased the present parsonage, immediately north of the church on Vine Street. A major building project was undertaken during Rev. Cronrath’s ministry. The nave was expanded, additional teaching stations were added, as well as a new narthex and choir loft.