Living Lord was officially organized in December, 1981 and is a congregation of approximately 1,100 disciples.  We are a congregation of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

In October of 1980, Roy Christell and his wife Terry, and Kelly their daughter moved to Lake St. Louis.  As a Pastor/Developer here for the Illinois Synod of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), Pastor Christell made over 1500 visits to people in the Lake St. Louis, O'Fallon and Wentzville area.

Our first worship facility at 1403 Lake St. Louis Blvd.
Accepting Pastor Roy Christell, 1982.

There was good response to forming a new congregation and on January 25, 1981 our first worship service was held in the very modest 800 square foot facility formerly occupied by a pharmacy at 1403 Lake Saint Louis Blvd (see photo).  Our alter, baptismal font and lectern had been made by members.

The first celebration of Holy Communion at Living Lord Church was held on February 1st.  By March 1st Sunday School had begun and an 8:00 a.m. service had been added to the 10:30 a.m. worship schedule.  Attendance at the late service was between 50 to 80 people, and the early service would have between 3 and 20 in attendance.

In April of 1981, 101 people signed the Charter, indicating their commitment to join the congregation at Organization.  The summer of that year found us becoming active in the community and beginning the planning process for our official organization, which took place at the B building of the Wharf on December 20th.  Although the building wasn't heated and the temperature outside was 5 below zero, 165 baptized members shivered, huddled around space heaters, and joined the celebration as we officially became Living Lord Lutheran Church LCA,.

By 1982, we had grown so much that we had to use neighboring Tootsie's Restaurant for our Sunday School and Nursery.  Roy E. Christell was called as our first Pastor, and installed on February 21st.  We purchased 2 1/2 acres of land, and in October joyfully unveiled the "Future Site" sign.

A congregational meeting approved a Capital Funds Campaign in 1983 and plans for a building got underway.  "Together in Faith ..... We Build to Serve", was the motto of our 251 Baptized and 177 Confirmed members.  The Building Committee was hard at work in 1984.  Designs were approved by the congregation who later approved contracts, plans and budgets.  On October 7, 1984, ground was broken; the cornerstone was laid on April 14, 1985; our first worship service at this site was held on May 19th.

Living Lord Lutheran Church,1985
Church Interior, 1799 Lake St. Louis Blvd.

By 1989 our membership had grown to over 400 Baptized and 300 Confirmed.  Living Lord Church became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) with its formation in January, 1988.

Building the 1992 Living Lord Lutheran Church addition
1799 Lake St. Louis Blvd, Lake St. Louis, MO

Building the 1992 Living Lord Lutheran Church addition
1799 Lake St. Louis Blvd, Lake St. Louis, MO

Living Lord Lutheran Church Interior, 1992
1799 Lake St. Louis Blvd, Lake St. Louis, MO

By 1999 LLLC had out grown it's location at 1799 LSL Blvd and was exploring options to expand or relocate.  Membership had grown to 942 Baptized (136% increase from 1989) and 679 Confirmed.

In April 2000 the congregation of Living Lord had decided to relocate and approved the purchase of 10.898 acres of land located on the northwest corner of Cedar Circle Drive on Highway 40/61 in Lake Saint Louis.

LLLC is currently located at Cedar Circle Drive off of Highway 40/61 in Lake Saint Louis.  Click on link to the left "The Beginning" to get LLLC history.

Living Lord Lutheran Church at
Cedar Circle Drive in Lake St. Louis, Missouri

Thanks to Beverly Hennessy for providing and keeping the information shared here!