On the letterhead of Hope Lutheran Church is an olive branch in its beak. The image has been updated over the years but the meaning behind it remains the same.
After riding out forty days and nights of rain and flooding aboard the ark, Noah released a dove to see if the water has receded. Was the terrible destruction over, what would happen next, was it safe to venture forward? The first time the dove returned to the ark having found no place to perch. The second time the dove was released we read in Genesis 8:11, When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. Noah and his family were filled with renewed hope. They also knew that God had been faithful to his promise and he knew he could trust God as he made his way into the future.
The festivities, banquets, and worship of Hope Lutheran Church give us opportunity to recount how faithful God has been to us. He promised that His word will not return empty (Isaiah 55:11) and we can see how many people have been brought to faith and nurtured in that faith through the Word and sacraments administered in this place. We can spend time remembering those who have gone before us, leaving examples of dedicated responses to God.
We can also look confidently to the future knowing God will continue to be with us as we are privileged to work in His kingdom. We don’t know what the future will bring, but we do know who will be with us.
Hope Lutheran Church is a good name for people looking forward to Christ’s return and keeping confidently busy in the meantime. Because of God’s faithfulness we can celebrate our anniversaries and be renewed in our mission. We are a caring community of faith, growing in Christ and closer to one another through worship, fellowship, service, and education, willingly passing on to others what God has first given us.
Rev. Mark Beiderwieden
Pastor of Hope, 1987-2008
HISTORY OF HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
FOUNDING 1938-1945
In 1937 the Mission Board of the Alberta-British Columbia (ABC) District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) called Rev. W. F. Doeling to serve its six parishes on Vancouver Island: Duncan, Victoria, Youbou, Courtenay, Campbell River and Port Alberni. Rev. Doeling accepted the call and moved to Maple Bay, near Duncan, in January 1938, conducting survey trips to Victoria. On Good Friday, 15 April 1938, Doeling led his first worship service in the home of Adolf Neuman at 4930 Cordova Bay Road. This is considered to be the first formal event in Victoria of the LCMS (with the parishes later becoming part of Lutheran Church – Canada, LCC).
In 1941, the Island was divided into two parishes. Rev. Alfred Enders was called to serve the Northern part of the Island, from Port Alberni to Campbell River. Meanwhile, Rev. Doeling served the Southern end, from Nanaimo to Victoria. He moved residences to Victoria in 1940. In 1942 Rev. Doeling made a trip to Alberta to marry Kathleen McRoberts at Vulcan. On 17 Aug. 1942, the congregation went from two monthly services to every Sunday. From 1940, the congregation rented an old store at 1120 Hillside, until 25 April 1943 when the congregation began renting from a Seventh Day Adventist church on Graham St off Hillside. During this time, in 1941, the congregation selected the name “HOPE LUTHERAN” for its name.
In the summer of 1945, when the health of Rev. Doeling was deteriorating, student pastor (vicar) Norman Pfotenhauer was assigned to Victoria to help. Rev. Harold Merklinger, a padre at the Esquimalt Naval Base helped out in areas where Vicar Pfotenhauer was not yet certified.
Rev. Doeling passed away on 7 Oct. 1945 after serving only ten years in the Holy Ministry. Rev. Doeling was buried on a high hill at the Royal Oak Cemetery in Victoria. His wife, with her young daughter, Linda, moved to Edmonton a number of months after the death. Although he died before the congregation formally organized, he is considered the founding pastor of Hope Lutheran Church. The congregation had a baptized membership of 97 at the time of his death.
On Saturday, 29 December 1945, seven members of the congregation met with Rev. C.F. Baase from the ABC District to formally organize the church by adopting a constitution. In 26 January 1946, the first voters meeting was held, and Vicar Pfotenhauer and nine men sighed the constitution. They then became the charter members of the congregation: E. Borgens, A. Dorn, J. Nelson, A. Neuman, H. Neuman, F. Richter, H. Richter, E. Wilde and C. Shipclark. As women did not yet have suffrage they were unable to sigh the constitution and become voters.
Doeling’s Diary of Vancouver Island 1938
Doeling’s Diary of Vancouver Island 1939
Doeling’s Diary of Vancouver Island 1940
Doeling’s Diary of Vancouver Island 1941
Doeling’s Diary of Vancouver Island 1942
Doeling’s Diary of Vancouver Island 1943
Doeling’s Diary of Vancouver Island 1944
Doeling’s Diary of Vancouver Island 1945
BIBERDORF – HOPE’S FIRST RESIDENT PASTOR – 1946-1949
Vicar Pfotenhauer left in the Spring of 1946 and Rev. E Biberdorf, the first resident pastor of the newly formed congregation, was installed in July 1946. Under his leadership a parsonage was purchased at 1041 Bay Street and a lot was purchased to build a new Church at Quadra and Market Street. It was decided to buy their church building and parsonage at Princess and Chambers. In order to do this in 1947 the congregation became registered under the Societies Act of BC. Consequently, the other properties owned by Hope were sold.
The Hope Lutheran Women’s League (HLWL) formally organized at Hope in 1947. Over the years, its members seemed to have boundless energy. These fine ladies have graciously used their God-given gifts to coordinate many of the congregational fellowship events and have raised money through bazaars and the like. Periodically, the group hosted fellowship events at Luther Court. Funds raised by the HLWL primarily were used to make improvements to the church’s physical property.
GIERACH YEARS and REGAL MONTHS – 1949-1952
In December, 1948, Rev. Biberdorf accepted a call and the next pastor of the congregation, Rev. Lester H. Gierach, was installed on 13 February 1949. By the time he left on 24 February 1952, the membership numbered 115 souls. Although Rev. Gierach served the congregation as a pastor for only a short time, he continued to have contact with the church on numerous occasions over the years.
Rev. E Regal was installed in March 1952 but only served until August of that year when he took a call as a chaplain with the Canadian Military.
JANZOW ERA – 1952-1961
The congregation met with Rev. Carl Beiderwieden, (father of the present pastor) who was the Vancouver Island Circuit Counsellor, and called Rev. Carl C. Janzow. He was installed on 16 Nov 1952.
On 29 December 1955, Hope Lutheran’s tenth anniversary, the congregation burnt the mortgage on the Princess and Chambers property. The following month the church advised the ABC District that the congregation was self-sustaining. The District joyfully responded “…the record which you people have achieved under the Lord’s blessings is truly outstanding. You have liquidated in its entirety your debt on your church property, and while in 1955 you still drew subsidy in the amount of $1000, you now by the grace of God have arrived at the stage where such assistance is no longer needed.”
Through an interim loan provided by a member of the congregation a new electronic Hammond organ was purchased by the congregation in 1956. Subsequently, individual contributions were made to pay off the loan.
On 18 March 1956, and on 19 Nov 1957, respectively, the missions at Langford and Sidney were opened to create the Langford-Sidney parish. The new parish, planted by the Hope congregation, became independent on 7 Sept 1958.
Rev. Janzow, 73 years old, retired on 20 Nov 1960. He served, however, as vacancy pastor until the end of August 1960. He recorded that 120 children attended Vacation Bible School during the Summer of 1961.
- MEN’S GROUP
In the Spring of 1954, a men’s group formed and shortly thereafter received a charter from the Lutheran Layman’s League (LLL), dated 18 May 1954. This service oriented group met until May 1975. Later on, in the early ’90s, a men’s group called the Bereans was formed meeting primarily for fellowship. Many excellent speakers gave presentations but unfortunately this group dissipated in 1994.
THE CARLSON QUARTER CENTURY – 1961-1986
Pastor Lester M. Carlson was installed by Rev. V. Eichenlaub of Nanaimo, on 24 Sept 1961.
Hope Lutheran Church was planning to relocate with a planning committee purchasing a site to move the congregation at Dean St and Carrick St. Ground breaking occurred on 1 April 1962 and the cornerstone was laid on 24 June. The debt on the new property was retired on 31 Dec 1962 with the help of a loan from the Church Extension Fund. A departing service was held at the old Princess and Chambers location and the congregation held a procession to the new building to dedicate it on 27 Jan 1963. Rev. C Baase, representing the ABC District and Rev. L. Gierach were the guest preachers for the momentous occasion. The first baptism in the new church of Linda Anne Dawn Hammill took place in the inaugural service.
The old church and parsonage were sold in the summer of 1964 and a new parsonage was bought at 1860 Adanac Street in the Fall of the same year. Pastor Carlson lived in the parsonage and eventually bought it from the congregation on 1 June 1989. After paying off the mortgage, the remaining money was invested with the Church Extension Fund. With the idea that the interest would help pay for the pastor’s housing allowance.
For a number of years funds were being received to build a free standing tower at the front of the church. It was called the Tower Fund. However, when in 1978 Saanich rejected the plans for a tower the congregation decided to change the name to Memorial Fund which, in 1988, began accepting gifts to help the church. Over the years the Memorial Fund financed worthwhile things like an underground sprinkler system, a new roof for the church, and memorial windows. Material gifts to the church over the years included most of the church’s furnishings including things like pianos.
Payment on the church’s $85,000 mortgage to Church Extension continued until 1980 when on Thanksgiving Day (12 Oct) a special service was held to burn the mortgage. Guest preacher at the morning service was Rev. Edwin Lehman, President of the ABC District, and the guest preacher at the afternoon mortgage burning was Rev. Gierach, Executive Secretary, ABC District.
Although many minor changes were made to the original constitution and bylaws in the 1960s and 1970s, major organizational change did not occur until the Spring of 1985, when the congregation adopted bylaws tailored in accordance with that recommended by Rev. Don Abdon’s “Organizing Around the Great Commission”.
Major change not only occurred in the organization of the congregation but also occurred in the structure of the church building in 1985 and 1986. An elevator was installed and a major basement redevelopment was undertaken, removing a stage to build a large meeting room in its stead. Organizational and building alterations were done in an atmosphere of love and concern by the Lord’s people who graced the membership at Hope. The congregation was responding to the changing expectations of society, where time and efficiency were much valued, and concerns for mobility of the physically challenged were expressed by both the church and the government.
Challenges for the congregation immensely increased when Pastor Carlson accepted a call in October 1986. After conscientiously serving the congregation for more than 25 years, he, and his lovely wife, Vernice, were a being led by the Lord to Oliver, B.C. The congregation now faced a process it had not experienced for a very long time. That of calling a new pastor.
- BROWNIES – 1963-1995
In 1963, Brownies started meeting in the church as a Hope Lutheran pack under the leadership of a member of the congregation. Much to their credit, they were very respectful of the premises and always cleaned up after themselves. Throughout these years, groups have always had at least one member of the congregation as a leader.
- LWML – 1964
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), an auxiliary group of the church, was formally recognized at Hope on 16 June 1964. The LWML is still very active in the congregation and through their “mite” boxes have given much financial support to the mission’s funding of district, synodical, and international projects. Locally, the LWML has sponsored and received congregational support for Transition House, facilitated missions and projects of the congregation, prepared food for special occasions, and sewed heart pillows for patients from heart surgery among many other things since their founding.
- 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The 25th anniversary celebration, held on 17 April 1971, was quite special since three former pastors of the congregation in addition to Pastor Carlson were present. Rev. Gierach and Rev. Janzow took the morning service and Rev. Pfotenhauer and Rev. Carlson conducted the afternoon service. Printed in the bulletin was, “we extend our deepest thanks to Pastors L. Gierach, Janzow, and Pfotenhauer for their part in observing our 25th Anniversary. We are most appreciative of Rev. Gierach and Rev. Pfotenhauer in coming such great distances to be with us and leading us in praise of our Saviour for the blessings He has bestowed upon us.”
- ORDINATIONS – 1975/1989/1990
June 1975 saw the ordination into the Office of the Holy Ministry of Rev. Edwin Mohns, who was a former member of Hope and the first from our congregation to be ordained. The service was held at Hope just prior to this being installed at this first congregation at Lincoln, Missouri. Rev. Peter Pagel, also a former member was ordained in the summer of 1989 and was installed at Vernon, B.C. Rev. Robert Mohns, who at the time was a current member of the congregation, was ordained at Hope Lutheran in the Summer of 1990 and was installed in the dual parish of Coronach/Ormiston, Saskatchewan.
- MISSIONS – 1983 – 1987
In 1983, the congregation embarked upon a different type of local mission. It voted to partially support the Ngo family, refugees (“boat people”) from Vietnam. Although Hope did not sponsor the family, significant amounts of money were provided to the family by Hope Lutheran Church.
In June of 1983, the congregation started a scholarship fund (now called the Student Aid Fund) to provide financial help to students in post-secondary education who pursue studies leading to full-time church work with the LCMS and then Lutheran Church – Canada (LCC) after 1988. A member of Hope become a LCC pastor through this funding.
Continuing to share the resources the Lord provided, the congregation allowed the German-speaking congregation, Martin Luther Kirke, to use its building from 1984 to 1987.
- 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – 1985
One of the highlights of Hope’s history occurred at the 40th anniversary celebration service, 29 Dec 1985. Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, (of The Lutheran Hour fame) was the guest preacher. Rev. E. Mohns, a former member of the Hope congregation, and at the time the Island Circuit Counsellor was the liturgist at the service of praise and thanksgiving.
BEIDERWIEDEN YEARS 1987-2008
Rev. Gierach from the ABC District office met with the congregation to help make an evaluation of goals and priorities before a call was extended to a new pastor. One of the considerations was the congregation’s possible involvement at the University of Victoria. Thanks to Rev. Gierach and to skilful leading of Pastor Robert Willie, who was the Circuit Counsellor and vacancy pastor, Pastor Mark Beiderwieden, who held an executive position at the Manitoba-Saskatchewan District office in Regina, was called.
The Lord led Pastor Beiderwieden, along with his wife Susan and children, Erik, Gabrielle, and Drew to Victoria in the Spring of 1987. He was installed at Hope Lutheran Church on 29 March 1987 with Rev. R. Willie presiding, Rev. Kevin Cramm (Port Alberni) preaching, and Rev. C. Masse (Sidney) being the liturgist.
Shortly after the new pastor arrived the pipe organ, with its full set of pipes was ready to play. The pipe organ was originally purchased by four young members of Hope in the mid-1970s from a church in Vancouver which was going to throw it out. Restoration of the pipe organ for many years was done by many volunteers in the congregation. In the end, however, a local professional builder finished the job, and it became fully operational March 1987.
With desperate times facing people of our nation many food banks sprang up in the mid-1980s. Locally, the Mustard Seed Church was ideally located in Victoria’s downtown area to carry out this ministry. The congregation decided to support this Christian mission by having special drives for food twice a year, Spring and Fall.
In 1989 a number of changes were made that had been talked about for years but had never come to fruition. Pews were cut down so aisles were formed along the exterior walls of the narthex and wheel chairs could be nicely tucked in off the centre aisle. The communion rail could temporarily be joined at the centre to facilitate communing about 18 communicants at a time. The latter changes were made primarily by volunteer labour. Individual communion cups were introduced to provide an alternative to the common cup, and the use of communion announcement cards were adopted.
Although many improvements to the property occurred in 1991-93 (donated microwave and church paint job; purchased commercial dishwasher and underground sprinkler system), nothing caught the congregation’s attention as much as the offer by a Christian businessman (a friend of a couple who were members of Hope) to provide new cabinets for its kitchen…absolutely free! It seemed by some members that such an unselfish act of charity was too good to be true. But it was true, and now the ladies (and some of the braver men) work in the modified kitchen for fellowship events. To God be the glory.
- DAYCARE -1987-1989
The congregation still pursued its willingness to share God’s blessings when in 1987 a day care was granted permission to use space in the building. Although it was not run by members of the congregation, it was thought to be an evangelism opportunity. The day care continued until December 1989.
- BECOMING PART OF A CANADIAN SYNOD – 1988
A major historical change occurred when, after congregational approval, Hope Lutheran Church joined Lutheran Church — Canada (LCC) at the new synods founding convention held 18-22 May 1988. Prior to this time, the congregations that became LCC were part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, with its governance in the United States. With LCC, the Canadian congregations could focus on their Canadian context while being in altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS.
- WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE 1988
Significant change was made to the church’s bylaws on 11 Dec 1988, when women were granted the right to vote and serve in many of the elected positions of the congregation. In the following February, the B.C. Registrar of Societies accepted a major change to the constitution tied to the new bylaws.
- MEMORIAL WINDOWS – DOELING ENDOWMENT FUND 1988/1993
The first individually-funded memorial windows were installed in the church in the 1970s, but on 25 Oct 1988 the congregation voted to install new memorial windows. They were in memory of the founding pastor, Rev. W.F. Doeling, and the charter members. Further, the congregation decided to start a living memorial in remembrance of Doeling.
It was not until 8 Jan 1993 that documentation was finalized with Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS), Edmonton, creating the Doeling Fund. Hope congregation established the Fund with a mere $1200. Through the generous donations by others, the Fund grew to $14,461 by June 1995.
From what seemed like a meagre beginning, the Lord has truly blessed this endowment for seminary students which is a real honour to the founder of the congregation, Rev. Doeling. It is good to be reminded that through the Lord all things are possible. As Matthew wrote (17:20): Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.”
During part of 1992 and 1993, a Planning Task Force was set up to do a self-analysis of the congregation and determine its needs. Besides coming up with five goals for the congregation, the task Force recommended that we adopt a mission statement. After some deliberation the congregation adopted a mission statement, as follows:
“We are a caring community of faith, growing in Christ and closer to one another through worship, fellowship, service and education, willingly passing on to others what God has first given us”
From 1993, another Caring Ministry group had been in existence. The members of this group visit shut-ins. Other groups existed in an effort to maintain good order and an air of friendliness such as the Altar Guild, ushering teams, acolytes, Sunday morning greeters, and all those hard working volunteer individuals who serve in the numerous functional positions. For example, one member served for over 10 consecutive years as treasurer of the congregation. Additionally, women have made various kits and quilts for the needy in the local area and for Canadian Lutheran World Relief.
Since at least as early as 1954 as annual exchange visit takes place with our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod brothers and sisters in Port Angeles, Washington. Alternatively, year by year each church hosts the other for fellowship and friendship. This event is commonly referred to as “hands across the border”.
CAMPUS MINISTRY 1990-1995
For a number of years up until 1990 a professor, who was a member of Hope, was an unofficial observer of the Lutheran Student Movement activity on the UVIC campus. At various times, students who were members of Hope organized activities. However, few out-of-town students, even the ones that belonged to our synod, came to Hope to worship.
The Lutheran Chaplain at UVIC in 1986 belonged to one of the other synods and was financially supported under the auspices of inter-Lutheran body, Victoria Lutheran Campus Ministry Council. Financial support came mainly from the synods through the Lutheran Campus Ministry – Western Region Board. A little financial support was provided by Hope, with most local support provided by other Lutheran churches in the city. Hope Lutheran Church was never too satisfied with the existing situation.
- VICAR JEFF MUCHOW – 1990-1992
A major change was associated with the adoption of the budget for 1990, when funds were included for the calling of a vicar to work primarily at the University of Victoria. Vicar J. Muchow from Concordia Lutheran Seminary Edmonton (CLS) arrived in Victoria in Aug 1990. This event fulfilled a dram of the congregation to reach out to the university that sits at its doorstep. Also, at about this time space in the chaplain’s office at the University came available to Hope, as the other major Lutheran Synod in Canada was withdrawing due to a lack of funds. With financial help form the ABC District office and money left from the funds raised by the local Lutheran Campus Ministry support organization, space in the Chaplain’s office was funded and was allocated to the Hope representative.
Vicar Muchow effectively used his gifts to get a significant number of students together. The Lutheran group at the campus soon identified itself as the Eutychus Society. Pastor Beiderwieden helped in this outreach ministry by supervising the vicar and by conducting weekly Bible studies at the campus.
Just before Vicar Muchow was to return to studies at CLS in the Spring of 1991, the Langford pastor took a call. Both the Langford and Hope budgets were being stretched beyond the limit. Therefore, an agreement was struck that Vicar Muchow would stay on for another year and serve the Langford congregation 70% of the time and campus ministry 30%. It was an effective arrangement and campus ministry was able to continue with Pastor Beiderwieden still being the overseer. In the Fall of 1992, Pastor Beiderwieden was granted associate membership in the University of Victoria’s Chaplain Services. Vicar Muchow departed in July 1992 to return to his studies at CLS in the Fall.
- VICAR JAN PASTUCHA – 1992-1993
Vicar J. Pastucha from CLS arrived in August, 1992. Vicar Pastucha continued to carry on an effective ministry at the campus under the. Guidance of Pastor Beiderwieden. By this time, many students were making Hope their church home, which manifested itself in many ways. Students were thankful of Hope’s campus ministry and the congregation was thankful that the students created an added dimension to its atmosphere. Vicar Pastucha returned to his studies at CLS in Aug 1993.
- VICAR MARTIN MUGALA – 1994
Vicar M. Mugala joined the congregation in Aug 1994. He worked at various activities and departed at the end of December of that same year.
- PARISH ASSISTANT 1994-1995
Pastor Beiderwieden kept activity going at the campus until a part-time Parish Lay Assistant, Lori Inkster, a student at the University, was hired in July 1994. She assisted the pastor until April the next year.
- MISSIONARY TO UKRAINE – 1993 & 1995
In 1993, one of the congregation’s university students, Kendra Brown, sought sponsorship to help Lutheran Church – Canada’s missionary, Rev. Roland Syens, in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine. The response was positive and within weeks enough money was raised to send her for five weeks starting in April. Although Ukraine differed greatly from Canada, she found the experience fulfilling and a help to the mission work of the church-at-large.
In 1995, the LCC head office was looking for a coordinator to lead a number of students to the Dnepropetrovsk area to do mission work during the summer. Once again Kendra took up the challenge. She and the people in the congregation benefited immensely from this added dimension of “hands-off” missionary involvement by a member of our congregation.
- VICAR ALEX KLAGES – 2001-2
Vicar Alex Klages came to Hope Lutheran Church to preach about once a month while spending the rest of the Sundays leading Sunday worship at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Langford. Even though he spent most of his time at Redeemer, he was involved at Hope with confirmation classes, youth group, and Vacation Bible School. During one VBS song, he encouraged the kids to jump a little too vigorously, causing a crack in the ceiling of the basement. In his pastoral ministry in Winkler and Morden, Manitoba, he has supported numerous vicars–including Adam Chandler who would become the pastor of Hope Lutheran in 2020.
- VICAR MATT ZIPRICK
Vicar Matt Ziprick served Hope Lutheran Church and, in his time there, he got engaged to his wife.
CHURCH OFFICE
For many years, the necessary work of making bulletins, keeping records, filing, etc., fell entirely upon the pastor, and sometimes his wife and other volunteer members of the congregation. In fact, one lady voluntarily spent an average of 20 hours a week working in the office for over seven years in a row. However, the time eventually came when in 1994 a paid office secretary was hired to work a set number of hours a week. Different administrative assistants have worked in the office over the years since then varying in how much they work per week, but never more than part-time.
After having a photocopier and answering machine for quite a number of years, modernization of the office took a giant leap forward when in 1992 a member of the congregation loaned a personal computer for two years. After the two year period, the congregation bought two of its own personal computers with facsimile capability. The office advanced much more over the years, being equipped with two computers linked by a network to share files to make preparing for Sunday easier. The church rents their copier to produce the bulletin…although it still falls on the staff of the church to fold the printed copies.
YOUTH MINISTRY
The first Sunday School session was held on October 13, 1940 with an enrolment of nine. The first teacher were Mrs. Marie Turner and Miss Frieda Johnson. As the number of children and families fluctuated so did Sunday School attendance. In the 1960s and 1970s attendance ranged in the seventies and eighties. All through the years the Lord provided willing and dedicated teachers. Confirmation class size peaked in 1974 when seventeen were confirmed.
A history of young people and youth group gatherings go back to the 1940s. for much of the time youth groups within the congregation were known as the Walther League. In the early years, many attended Walther League camps on the mainland, where Rev. Doeling was usually a guest speaker. Beside short business meetings, countless hours of fellowship were enjoyed over the years including picnics at Willows Beach, recreation in the church basement in the form of ping pong, floor shuffleboard and other games. For a few years a school gymnasium was rented where floor hockey and basketball were played. Highlights were the attendance at summer camps, island youth rallies and national and district youth rallies at such places as Lake Louise and Three Hills, Alberta, where in the summer of 1995 four youths and a counsellor of the congregation were in attendance. The Western Region (replacing the ABC District) held a youth gathering in Grand Forks during 2023 with five youth, one parent, and Pastor Chandler traveling to attend.
Since the 1960s Hope had Vacation Bible School for most summers. However, for a few years before 1990, Hope did not hold a VBS. The realization came that it was missing out on an important opportunity to reach out into the community. In 1993, the congregation restarted holding VBS and there was an overwhelming response, both in the enrolment and the necessary involvement required of volunteers in the congregation. This continued in the summer of 1994 and reached a peak in 1995 with the biggest enrolment ever attained at Hope of 135 children. There were approximately 30 volunteer helpers. While not every year afterward saw a VBS at Hope, there have been efforts from pastors and vacancy pastors alike to hold them.
MUSICIANS AND CHOIRS
Hope Lutheran Church has been blessed with people possessing much musical talent since its beginnings. Over the 50 years all people involved volunteered their talents as a service to the Lord. The first organist dates back to 1939. Miss Frieda Johnson played a pump organ at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Anastasiou where services were sometimes conducted. One person who was an organist and choir director devoted over 25 years in a row in such service. There has been much sharing amongst a host of talented members in carrying out keyboard and choir directing functions. Presently, there are multiple organists, a chimes choir, and a contemporary worship group at the church.
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
A banquet was held at the Eidelweiss Club on 30 Dec 1995, with a special service at the church the next day, Sunday Guest speakers at the banquet were Rev. Carlson and Rev. Gierach, who reminisced about their years as pastors of Hope Lutheran. The preacher on Sunday was Rev. Gierach who had retired and was living in Edmonton at the time. Rev. Carlson and his wife, Bernice, were also retired and live in Oliver, B.C. In attendance at the celebration was Mrs. Kay Doeling from Edmonton and her daughter Linda Brownlee and family from Ontario. Hopefully, many more former members and friends will come and reminisce about “the good old days”.
Hope Lutheran Church had been on a membership plateau for some years. Although people change, membership gains always seem to be cancelled by losses. As of the 50th anniversary, the baptized membership of the congregation was 284 souls and Sunday attendance averaged 142. Four Bible classes met weekly, with a peak attendance of 55 and an average of 33 for the Sunday morning adult class.
CHANGING PASTORS
Pastor Mark Beiderwieden retired in 2008 and Hope Lutheran Church remained vacant for nearly a year before a new pastor arrived. Thankfully, Rev. Al Dudiak came down from Ladysmith as the vacancy pastor. Pastor Scott Lyons came right out of seminary to be ordained and installed at Hope Lutheran Church on Aug. 9, 2009. He ministered to the congregation for nearly ten years before taking a call to a Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Edmonton, leaving his ministry at Hope on 13 Jan. 2019. Filling the vacancy at this time was Pastor Phillip Washeim from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Langford. This was affected by the 2020 COVID pandemic where the congregation stopped worshipping in their building for weeks due to the initial shutdown.
PASTOR CHANDLER’S MINISTRY
Pastor Adam Chandler was called as a seminary student to fill the vacancy at Hope Lutheran Church. He convocated at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton on 29 May 2020 and was ordained at his home congregation of Foothills Lutheran Church in Calgary on 21 June during the pandemic shutdowns with limited gatherings. He arrived in Victoria on 1 July 2020 to join Hope Lutheran Church following when restrictions were lifted and was officially installed at Hope Lutheran Church on 19 July.
The first few months dealt with trying to minister to a congregation who could only partially attend. Many were left in the “COVID Exile” of the church where, for health reasons, many retirement facility residents were under government restrictions or cautions not to attend worship in person. Thankfully, Heidi Morgan organized her family and finances to purchase streaming equipment for the congregation from her care facility and Hope had its streaming begin on 14 Sept. 2020. In addition to streaming worship services, Pastor Chandler streamed or recorded devotional studies and Bible studies during the week, something that he has done continuously throughout his ministry. This was especially needed during the second shutdown period which began in Nov. 2020 and went until May 2021, meaning the major Christian festivals of Christmas and Easter were celebrated online instead of in person.
Masks were a requirement and remained a requirement in worship for quite some time. Hymns were omitted and the liturgy was spoken to prevent spread of moisture droplets from the mouth. Communion was celebrated in pilgrim style so parishioners could social distance while taking Christ’s body and blood at the base of the chancelry instead of at the communion rail. There was great controversy over the vaccines coming out, especially for Christians who recognized there were cell lines from aborted children used to either produce or test them. Meals were not permitted at the church so fellowship with goodies took place on the front steps of the building instead of inside. The first meal together again as a congregation was at a restaurant (since government restrictions would not permit a meal at the church) on Reformation Sunday, 2021. Gradually, these things were phased out and the congregation could worship and hold fellowship like it did before.
Pastor Allan Yadao of Living Hope Christian Church (LHCC), a new church plant from a Baptist mother church in Vancouver, contacted Hope Lutheran to rent space for worship. LHCC’s first worship service was conducted in the building in Nov 2022.
Kristin Wright contacted Hope Lutheran Church to start up a preschool in the basement. There had been many similar inquiries over the years but this was the first time the church had something like this open up. Park Lane Preschool opened Hope Lutheran’s doors in Sept 2025.