Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Leesburg, Florida

Gathering in Christ

. . . Sharing His Love

A BRIEF HISTORY of GLORIA DEI

On November 6, 1951, a group of 22 Lutherans held a meeting at the Leesburg Recreation Center with the Reverend A. M. Himes, D. D., of Fruitland Park and the Reverend Martin L. Swanson of Groveland to discuss the possibility of a Lutheran Church in Leesburg. Those in attendance decided to begin services on Sunday, November 25, 1951, at the Women's Club.

On April 27, 1952, the congregation began to worship in the upstairs auditorium of the Lassiter-Ware Insurance Building. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church was officially organized on October 26, 1952, as a mission of the former Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church with 48 adult and 15 child members.

The charter membership roll was closed on January 1, 1953, with 50 charter members. On January 21, at the first annual congregational meeting, the congregation voted to purchase a lot at 130 Lone Oak Drive, at one time the location of a depot where tree moss was collected and shipped north to make "horse hair." The congregation decided to build as soon as possible.

On December 12, 1954, the new church building was dedicated by the Reverend Thorston Gustafson, D.D., President of the New York Conference of the Augustana Lutheran Church and the cornerstone was laid by the Reverend Arne Andell, President of the Florida District of the Augustana Lutheran Church. A copper box containing the history of the congregation, a hymnal, newspaper reports, and the charter membership list was placed in the cornerstone. By the end of 1954, the Parish Record listed 88 members and 59 enrolled in the Sunday School.

In 1962, the year of Gloria Dei's 10th anniversary, the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church joined with three other Lutheran church bodies to become the Lutheran Church in America. Ten years later, in June 1972, Gloria Dei was honored with the ordination of one of its members, Mr. Donald Hoornstra, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hoornstra.

Also in 1972, the congregation approved plans to renovate the roof and narthex, install pews and heating and air conditioning, and replace the carpet. On March 11, 1973, the newly renovated building was dedicated in conjunction with the twentieth anniversary celebration. During those first 20 years, 73 infants had been baptized, 36 young people confirmed, and over 290 adults received into membership at Gloria Dei.

In 1984, the building was again renovated into the present sanctuary, with its stained glass windows, and additional facilities. In 2004, further renovations provided a new kitchen, vestry, sewing room, and choir room. By 2005, the baptized membership had grown to 534.

Since its inception, the Gloria Dei congregation has moved into its fourth worship book and its third Lutheran denomination and has had eleven pastors and a few constitutions.