Christ Lutheran Church (Salem, Or.)

The Missouri Synod began Lutheran church work in Salem in 1884, and a small congregation was organized in 1890. In 1894 Christ Church was formally organized and a church erected. This was destroyed by fire, and a new, framed structure was built in the same location in 1900. This was supplanted by the present structure, which was erected in 1958. In 1943 the congregation voted to use the English language at all worship services. Previously German and English were both used. A 14-acre site for the present church was purchased in 1954. During this period the Christian Kindergarten was begun. The congregation celebrated its 80th anniversary in 1947 by burning the mortgage on its sixteen-year-old church.