What we believe and practice
As Lutherans, we see, hear, teach, and follow Christ for the sake of our neighbor. We see God in vulnerability - God meets us at the cross - in our deepest pain, God is present. Baptized into Christ, we live a new life - claimed and named forever as God's beloved. In the bread and wine of communion we receive and share Christ with all of creation. This is because of who God is, not because of what we do. We receive God's grace through faith - in Scripture, the living word of God, and the sacraments of baptism and communion, which transform our lives so that we love and serve God, our neighbor and all of creation. A transformed life is one centered in Christ, following and trusting in God alone; freed to love, liberate, and serve our neighbor. We are part a congregation of the Evangelical* Lutheran Church in America.
As the people of Our Saviour's Lutheran, we are committed to being Christ-centered community through faith and action in the heart of Tucson.
Our values are: Christ-centered: love God, love neighbor, open to the world
Community: embracing diversity, LGBTQ+ affirming, caring for one another, stewarding Creation
Faith: God's living presence, vibrant Lutheran worship, study and contemplation, embracing the arts. Action: growth & learning, generosity & service, engagement & advocacy
Our current areas of focus are: Expansive Welcome, Housing, Music & the Arts, Our Neighborhood, Capacity
*For more information about what evangelical means for Lutherans, read this article.
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1945
Our Saviour’s was founded in 1945. As the oldest Evangelical Lutheran church in Tucson, we embrace our heritage, while at the same time looking forward to the future with creative new ministries and opportunities. Here’s a brief history of our congregation.
Timeline of OSLC History
1945 – Rev. Albert Alsop arrives in Tucson to assess the viability of new Lutheran congregation. Within a few weeks of riding bicycle door-to-door he gathers 13 people and 8 children for the first worship service on May 13, 1945 at the YWCA. They then purchase the lot at Campbell and Helen streets for $3,500.
November, 1945 - November, 1950 – Rev. Titus R. Scholl.
1946 – Our Saviour’s outgrows the meeting space at the YWCA and moves to the Roskruge Junior High auditorium.
1947 – Groundbreaking takes place on September 28, 1947.
1948 – The first chapel (now called Koch Chapel) is built at Helen and Campbell, and worship is held.
1949 – The Sunday school outgrows the chapel space, and a second branch Sunday school is held at Ft. Lowell and Country Club roads.
January, 1951 - April, 1959 – Rev. George A. Spindt.
1956 – Membership grows to 1100 people, with 500 in Sunday School. The main sanctuary is built.
January, 1960 - March, 1967 – Rev. William S. Dion.
1965 – The Activity Building, which now houses Sunday school, is built. The congregation grows and the balcony is expanded to accommodate the increase in worship attendance. A Sunday school is arranged with the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind, and 12 classrooms of kids are bused in weekly.
June, 1967 - December, 1975 – Rev. Richard M Langsdale
1973 – Our Saviour’s continues expansion in central Tucson, adds several adult Bible studies and grows music ministries.
July, 1976 - September, 1978 – Rev. Ernest Lineberger.
September, 1978 - October, 1993 – Rev. Ronald J. Lavin.
1979 – Rev. Ron Lavin becomes senior pastor and starts several new initiatives including small group ministry, evangelism conferences, a center for the homeless on campus, partnerships with University of Arizona students, and remodeling of the main sanctuary.
October, 1994 - July, 2004 – Rev. James Lundeen.
1994 – Rev. Jim Lundeen becomes senior pastor. Our Saviour’s continues to expand its ministries and facility, and adds a contemporary worship at 11:15am on Sundays.
July, 2004 - August, 2013 – Rev. Marilyn Ascarza.
2004 – Rev. Marilyn Ascarza, the associate pastor since 1997, takes over as senior pastor.
October, 2014 - April, 2020 – Rev. Jeff Kallevig
2014 – Rev. Jeff Kallevig becomes the senior pastor, working to revitalize the music and outreach ministries. The congregation also began the process of developing the south property in partnership with the neighborhood, the city and community.
2020 – OSLC is in a time of transition. Pastor Jeff Kallevig leaves in April. Pastor Rebecca Boardman (U of A) temporarily serves as interim pastor over the summer. In September, Interim Pastor Len Hoffmann (Illinois) and Pastor Martha Neff Stum as worship leader are welcomed.
June - October, 2021 – Pastor Martha Neff Stum becomes Interim Bridge Pastor.
November, 2021 - Rev. Amalia Vagts becomes the lead pastor of Our Saviour's.
October, 2023 - Rev. Glenn Schrader is called as Associate Pastor of Faith Formation.
TODAY – Our Saviour’s continues its mission - being Christ-centered community through faith and action in the heart of Tucson.
Historic Photos
OSLC Pastors throughout the years
