St. Luke's Lutheran Church (Bellevue, Wash.)

The Bellevue-Kirkland area was long considered a potential mission field by the ELC, with evidence of real interest from within the region. Dr. H. L. Foss, President of the Pacific District, Dr. Philip Dybvig and Rev. Clarence Solberg of the Home Mission Board received permission in 1965 from the National Lutheran Council to enter the field. A seven acre church site was purchased in Northup Way in Bellevue. Chaplain John ). Larsgaard, U. S. Army, was extended a letter of call in the summer of 1956. Upon acceptance of the call, Chaplain Larsgaard moved his family to the newly purchased parsonage at 10240 NE 30th Pl. in Bellevue. Rev. Larsgaard began his new duties of visitation and organization on September 1, 1956. First services were conducted in the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Houghton with 83 people in attendance. Sunday School and Adult classes began the next Sunday, and confirmation began the following week. The choir met for the first time on December 5 of that year and sang for the first time at the Christmas Eve service.

On February 10, 1957, the congregation was organized with 103 members under the name of St. Luke's Lutheran Church. A building committee was formed, and it was evident that evident changes in the area made it necessary to find a new location for the church. The present site was soon purchased, and construction began on September 15, 1957. First services were held in the building on Christmas Eve of that year. Regular services and Sunday School were transferred there on January 12, 1958.