St. Mark Lutheran Church (Salem, Or.)

On April 10, 1927 a group of people met in Salem to organize an “American” Lutheran church in a community that was served largely by Lutheran churches with strong ethnic traditions. The idea also gave the congregation its first name (American), used by the church until 1945. Growth was strong and rapid. Within five years after the initial meeting, membership had passed the 400 mark.

The old Presbyterian church was the first church home. In 1934 there began weekly broadcasts of the services. In the course of its history, St. Mark also sponsored two other LCA churches in Salem, Faith and Good Shepherd, a response to the growth of Oregon’s capital city. In 1957 construction began on the present church, located on the edge of the state capitol campus.

From the guide to the St. Mark Lutheran Church, Salem, Oregon, Records, 1927-2012, (Pacific Lutheran University)