This congregation began with a survey requested by Carl Hartman. In 1958, Carl began sending a number of letters and news clippings to the Ohio Synod of the Lutheran Church of America, recommending this area for a Lutheran mission. Early in 1959, Carl was assured that a survey would be conducted. This survey became the basis for a Board of Missions call being extended to David Miller in the spring of 1960.A home near Amelia, 1141 Old Oaks Drive, was selected for the first parsonage. Pastor Miller knocked on doors and in two months had made 1,500 calls and compiled a list of 188 prospect adults. A steering committee was formed in July. In August, an interest meeting was held at Mt. Carmel School, which later became the West Clermont Board of Education building. The group selected the name "All Saints" so it would be listed first, alphabetically, in the yellow pages! Sunday School began in October.
In January of 1961, the land purchase was pending and the parsonage basement was improved for mid-week services during Lent. The congregation worshipped in the school until the summer of 1961. All Saints officially organized on May 7, 1961 and called David Miller to be the first Pastor. Services were moved to Tobasco Masonic Lodge Hall for the summer, and back to the school in the fall.
However, the school board had become impoverished and outside activities were soon cancelled from the building. It was back to the Masonic Lodge for a few weeks, then into a warehouse in Mt. Carmel. Groundbreaking was held in 1963. Dedication was on March 1, 1964. Costing approximately $100,000, the building was 3,100 square feet housing basic worship and Sunday School areas, an office, a nursery and a kitchenette.
During the pastorate of Samuel Gerth, the congregation became involved in Southeastern Ecumenical Ministry, or SEM. We also provided a Head start Program and a pre-school for retarded children. In 1968, the house next door to the church and the building behind it were purchased for educational space. The back building was sentimentally named "Hartman Hall".
When Pastor Jim Miller came, attendance had dwindled and he was encouraged to use the house next door as the parsonage and the Amelia house was sold. The parsonage was remodeled on 1974 before Pastor Miller's wedding.
Then Lee Wiskochil became Pastor of All Saints and the attendance trend began to reverse. In the summer of 1980, some of the congregation's land was sold, enabling the payment of all debts. The parsonage was in dire need of remodeling before we could call a pastor to replace Lee Wiskochil. We did the work ourselves and developed strong friendships working side by side, day after day. When Lee Welker became pastor in 1984, we were anxious to grow. Attendance doubled and a Building Committee was formed in 1987. The parsonage was sold and a Pastor's Housing Allowance was established. Ground breaking for our current sanctuary was held in November of 1988. We moved into the new sanctuary in December of 1989 so that classrooms could be built into the old sanctuary. Dedication of the new sanctuary, narthex, and office took place in January of 1990.
Jim Dinkel, our current Pastor, has been with us since December of 1991. In the mid-90's, All Saints invested in improving the music program to improve the worship experience initially with hand chimes directed by Jean Whitford. Music further expanded with the purchase of a digital piano and handbells with Shari Rasch becoming the Handbell Choir Director. Membership further expanded and we purchased a new yard sign to be more visible to local traffic. In 2004, we purchased a Christmas Creche to more visibly celebrate Christmas with our community.
All Saints is the sponsoring church of the Once Around Thrift Shop in Amelia. We do numerous activities to improve our community through several committees and our Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Chapter (Clermont Chapter).
The Pastors of All Saints Lutheran Church over its history were:
David Miller (July 1961 - January 1965)
Samuel Gerth (June 1965 - July 1969)
K. James Miller (March 1970 - March 1978)
Lee Wiskochil (July 1978 - August 1983)
Lee Welker (February 1984 - May 1991)
James Dinkel (December 1991 - Present)