In the Beginning, By Faith
Early 1981 the American Lutheran Church congregations that it was time to form a mission church in Southwest Arlington. A meeting was held for those interested in this growth. Many responded on April 2, 1981 and a steering committee was formed:
Jim Swanzy and Don Rudolph as co-chairmen
Dennis and Susan Jerke, Jerry and Ann Terhune, Vance and Cindy Zimmerman
This committee worked together with ALC’s Mission Director, and in September called Pastor Robert Adix as mission developer.
Although the ALC had already purchased land on Sublett Rd. intended for a new mission, after viewing and researching this location, it was decided to decline. In a few years, All Saints purchased 5 acres at Kelly Elliott and Green Oaks Blvd.
Historical Outline
April 2, 1981 Initial meeting of people interested in beginning a Lutheran congregation in Southwest Arlington
September 1, 1981 Pastor Robert Adix accepted the call to serve as Pastor/Developer
November 1, 1981 On All Saints Day first worship service held at Little Elementary School with 77 persons present
December 13, 1981 Name “All Saints Lutheran Church” chosen
April 4, 1982 Organizational Day and Installation of Pastor Adix
May 2, 1982 Charter Membership of 43 households, 88 confirmed and 139 baptized
January 22, 1984 Moved to Lillian Miller Elementary School for Sunday worship/Sunday school
April 10, 1984 Five acres purchased at Kelly-Elliott and Poly Webb (now Green Oaks Blvd)
May 27, 1984 Groundbreaking for multi-purpose building
December 16, 1984 First Sunday worship service held in completed building with 290 people present
January 20, 1985 Began two Sunday worship services (8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.)
February 24, 1985 Dedication of multi-purpose building
April 1, 1986 Lay Associate of Education, Margie Faulkner, added as part-time staff
May 2, 1986 Church Secretary, LuAnn Barrie, added as part-time staff
August 25, 1986 First intern, Mike Rinehart, began his year at All Saints
January 6, 1987 Mother’s Day Out began with Beverly Waedekin, Director, and one other teacher with 18 children in two classes
April 26, 1987 Groundbreaking for educational building
August 24, 1987 Second intern, Rick Barger, began his year at All Saints
October 14, 1987 Adult choir director, Celene Elliot, added as part-time staff
January 1, 1988 ALC merged with other synods forming ELCA, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. All Saints was included in the NT-NL Synod of Region 4
January 10, 1988 Dedication of Educational Building
August 28, 1988 Women of All Saints Lutheran Church formally organized
October 1, 1988 Pastor Scott Cigich accepted call to serve as Associate Pastor at All Saints
February 7, 1989 Roberta Shuffitt, church office secretary, added as full-time staff
September 1, 1990 Joe Alan, Director of Music, added as part-time staff
September 1, 1991 Contemporary worship service added at 10:45 a.m.
April 5, 1992 Tenth Anniversary Celebration Worship held at Martin High School Auditorium. Current membership:271 households, 372 confirmed and 829 baptized
January 31, 1993 Pastor Adix left to begin a new congregation in Ennis, Texas
August, 1993 Pastor Cigich called as Senior Pastor for All Saints Lutheran Church
November 2, 1996 Groundbreaking for Sanctuary
December 7, 1997 Sanctuary dedication
May, 1998 Steve Roepken was called as Pastor in Shared Ministry
January, 2000 Sprint erected the PCS tower
January 28, 2001 Children’s Learning Center (which began as Mother’s Day Out) reported 20 staff. Now offering 5 days a week of Preschool and Kindergarten. Constitution ratified revising organizational structure to function as DREAM Ministries
October 28, 2001 Kelly-Elliott property was dedicated and named ASLC Park
September, 2007 Kyle Rouze accepted call to join All Saints’ ministry
March 28, 2010 Pastor Rouze took a call to Calvary Lutheran Church
October 24, 2010 Pastor Roepken decided to use his gifts in a new direction
November, 2010 Interim pastor through NT-NL Synod, Olin Knudsen
February, 2011 Interim pastor through NT-NL Synod, Debra McCann
May, 2011 Interim pastoral care by ASLC member, Kris Brower