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History

As ‘the nations raged’ overseas in the spring of 1944, (the closing years of World War II), a small flock of peaceful Lutherans in Oregon were worshiping the Lord in what appear to be the first official Missouri Synod services ever held in St. Helens. Services were held in the old Moose Hall (Columbia Blvd. and Bradley St.) and were conducted by Rev. Felix Janssen, the pastor of St. John’s Lutheran in Portland. This first congregation included Synod members from both Scappoose and St. Helens. However, later in 1944, a new church building had been secured in Scappoose and was ready to receive them, so the entire group moved there.

Eventually attempts were made to reestablish a ‘preaching station’ for the St. Helens residents in their own town. A first effort in 1946 failed, but a second succeeded with the establishment of a congregation on July 20, 1947, when several new Lutheran families from Minnesota and Wisconsin moved into the area. The Seventh Day Adventist Church in St. Helens offered the use of their building while Rev. Janssen again served. At that time the name Calvary Lutheran Church was adopted, and a constitution was adopted, as well.

Calvary’s first budget might be of interest: Pastor: $15/mo, plus $2 per Sunday for travel from Portland; Rental for church bldg. use: $2.50 per Sunday. Pastor Janssen conducted services for 3 churches at this time: 9 a.m. for Calvary in St. Helens; 11 a.m. at St. John’s; and in the evening for Grace in Scappoose. By the close of 1947, Calvary numbered 50 ‘souls,’ 16 of them Sun. school pupils.

In 1948, Calvary called its first resident pastor, Rev. Marvin Hinrichs, from Iowa who was installed Aug. 20, 1948. He was called back to Iowa in March of 1950, and was replaced in June with Rev. Martin Russert. During this time Calvary grew to 70 members, funds were set aside for a building site, and the congregation finally voted to purchase the old Assembly of God Church on Deer Island Rd. in St. Helens for $4000. The first service was held there on May 25, 1952. Then after extensive remodeling, the building was officially dedicated on Oct. 5 with a grand celebration shared by so many well-wishers the church couldn’t hold them all!