The Rev. Floyd Brause became the mission developer in 1972. He conducted the survey while driving school busses during the school year and tour busses during the summer. The first service was held on October 14, 1973 in the Homestead Elementary School with 91 people present. A Sunday School was organized one month later with 35 children. In April of 1974 a store front building was rented in the downtown area. Folding chairs were purchased and altar furnishings constructed by men of the congregation. The congregation remained in this building for two years. In the spring of 1976 Joy lost its lease on the store front property and moved to the Eagle River Elementary School. Once again the congregation set up and removed equipment each Sunday. With excellent foresight and planning, property had been purchased in 1972. Groundbreaking was held in September of 1976. Construction was completed in April of 1977, although the congregation moved into the unfinished building on Christmas Eve, 1976. An active duty day care center began in 1977 with the aid of a municipal grant. The center is licensed to handle 40 children and operates 12 hours a day, 5 days a week. Construction began in May, 1984 for an addition to the first building. The addition houses offices, extra classrooms, a large pre-school area with office space, an enlarged nave, and increased spaces.
From the guide to the Joy Lutheran Church, Fairbanks, Alaska, Records, 1975-2012, (Pacific Lutheran University)
