Lefse making demonstration by Sylvia and Marcia at Heritage Days in connection with the 140th Anniversary celebration.

North Side Church

West Side Church

The people who were, are, and will be First Lutheran Church are part of the one apostolic church of Jesus Christ. This congregation shares in the entire history of the people of God both locally and worldwide.

• View a timeline of our church.
• View list of senior and assistant/associate pastors.
• Learn about the ships in our sanctuary.
• Learn about the our role in establishing Luther Hospital.

Our Roots

Our roots go back to the first settlement and the sawmills established on the Chippewa River in 1822. Many of the lumbermen attracted from Europe came from the farms of Norway to the new area, and there arose a need, in the three villages which later became Eau Claire, for Christian worship and ministry in the Norwegian language. On February 1, 1864, these Norwegian residents, organized a preliminary congregation. On July 19, 1865, at the home of Isaac Anderson, the congregation was formally established. It was chartered as "The First Norwegian Lutheran Church of Eau Claire City."

Our Buildings

In 1869, the congregation constructed its first building on the corner of North Dewey and Galloway Streets. In 1872, a second building was constructed on the other side of the Chippewa River on Fifth Avenue because, at a time when there were no bridges, it was easier for the pastor to cross the river than for half the congregation to do so. In 1882, a parochial school building was constructed on the corner of Spruce Street and Oxford Avenue.

In 1919, the congregation voted to build a new facility in its current location at the corner of Oxford and Central Avenues. In 1940, the Diamond Jubilee of the congregation, the youth building became a reality, complete with a gymnasium. The education building was dedicated in 1961. Our church offices, preschool and chapel are all located in this 1961 addition.

While not a church, The Meadows at Otter Creek was developed by the First Lutheran Foundation as an outreach ministry. Ground breaking ceremonies for this independent living apartment complex for older adults were held June 20, 1997. The first Meadows residents moved in July 1, 1998.

• View more information about The Meadows at Otter Creek.
• View First Lutheran Foundation's website.