Amazing Grace Lutheran Church (Anchorage, Alaska)

Pastor Alan Solmonson arrived the summer of 1974 to begin a new American Lutheran Church congregation in the Anchorage hillside area. After knocking on a great number of doors, he held the first service on October 6, 1974 at Kiel’s Mortuary. Shortly thereafter, services were moved to Huffman Elementary School and the congregation was officially organized as Amazing Grace on Sunday November 24, 1974.

Groundbreaking for the present building was held in July of 1975. Bob Hawkinson, a congregation member, was the construction superintendent. Construction included a tremendous amount of volunteer labor. First services were held in the new building basement, with the congregation sitting on planks, Thanksgiving of 1975; the building was completed and dedicated April 25, 1976. The two “portables” Sunday School rooms were added in the fall of 1982.

Pastor Solmonson departed in early 1978 and the present pastor, Don Parsons was installed May 21st, 1978.

From that beginning, Amazing Grace has grown to 126 families, including 374 baptized members at year end 1983.

Worship Services are 8:30 am and 11:00am during the winter and 9:30 through the summer. Sunday School is 9:45 to 10:45 during the winter months. Holy Communion is taken the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. Contemporary service is provided the 3rd Sunday.

From the guide to the Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, Anchorage, Alaska), Records, 1945-2012, (Pacific Lutheran University)