Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (Anchorage, Alaska)

The name “Gloria Dei” means “glory to god”. From its beginning in 1966, Gloria Dei has been about the joyous task of living up to its name. Under the direction of the Division of American Missions of the American Lutheran Church, Pastor Rodney L. Kastelle began work in the Sand Lake area in November of 1965. the first worship services were conducted at Sand Lake Elementary School on January 30, 1966. Formally organizing on June 26, 1966, the new congregation extended a letter of call to Pastor Kastelle. He served as a pastor until August of 1973. During the time between Pastor Kastelle’s moving and the arrival of Pastor Richard A. Halvorson, the congregation very ably carried on the services of worship, the education programs, and services to the community. Pastor Halvorson began work at Gloria Dei in February of 1974. 1976 was a year of celebration, marking the tenth anniversary of Gloria Dei. The congregation continues to look ahead as it works under its anniversary theme of “Pressing Forward in God’s Love.”