A SHORT HISTORY OF
GLEN LUTHERAN CHURCH

Glen Lutheran Church began as a mission congregation of the American Lutheran Church. After a community survey was taken, the denomination assisted the fledging congregation in organizing on November 13, 1955. Worship services were conducted in members' homes at first, but soon moved to Glendale Elementary School, across the street from the church's future location. The American Lutheran Church constructed the church's first unit, a 200-seat sanctuary, on a hill at Carroll Road and Delaware Avenue. Ever since then, the congregation has viewed its ministry as a "lighthouse" to the surrounding Glen Gardens community and to its neighbors beyond.

In the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, the congregation prospered, as did many churches riding the post World War II baby boom. Under charismatic leadership, the Sunday School flourished and in time the congregation built Good Shepherd Hall, larger office spaces and a bi-level education wing. The congregation became known for its prayer groups, healing services, a large AA group that served the community and for sponsoring trips to the Holy Land.

Suddenly in June 1986, Glen's beloved pastor, Fred Bromhal, died, an event that was to affect congregational life for years to come. The congregation became deeply divided over the upcoming merger with the Lutheran Church in America and later felt estranged from the new denomination on issues of abortion and homosexuality. Two pastors came and went quickly in the years that followed. A number of younger members left the congregation for a more evangelical approach to ministry. From 1993 through 1997, Glen was without an ordained pastor and was served instead by a deacon with roots in the congregation.

In 1997, under the presidency of Harry Sylce, the congregation sold the parsonage and then called the Rev. David G. Berg to serve in a half-time position. Since then, more than 160 baptized members have joined the congregation and $80,000 in renovations have been completed. Recently the congregation also has authorized the purchase of new windows for the sanctuary, education and office areas Drawing more traditional Lutherans as well as former Roman Catholics from both sides of the Patapsco, ministry within the congregation has stabilized and is growing at a steady pace. The congregation provides leadership for the North County Emergency Outreach Network and continues to host a large AA ministry, as well as active units of Civil Air Patrol, Girl Scouts and Explorer Scouts and is becoming a congregation of choice for young families seeking a mainline ministry of Word and Sacrament with an emphasis on pastoral care and congregational warmth and friendship. Glen continues as a "lighthouse" to the community as it approaches its 50th anniversary on November 13, 2005.

The Pastors of Glen Lutheran Church

The Rev. Byron M. Marsh, 1956-1963
The Rev. Bruce W. Meyer, 1963-1970
The Rev. Fred C. Bromhal, 1971-1986
The Rev. James E. Hanson, 1987-1989
The Rev. Alan D. Traher, 1989-1993
The Rev. David G. Berg, 1997-Present

Sons of Glen Lutheran Church

The Rev. John F. Bromhal
The Rev. Michael R. McQuaid

GLEN LUTHERAN MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

When Charles Hashagen joined Glen Lutheran Church 46 years ago, the Glen Burnie parish looked nothing like it does today.

But one aspect of the 250-member congregation remains, parishioners say: the friendly, welcoming nature of the church community.

"The reason I joined it was the way the people received you," Mr. Hashagen said. "A lot of churches I've been at in my lifetime, you could go in there and people never knew you were there."

Next year, the church will celebrate its 50th year of worship in Glen Burnie, marking its fifth decade in existence with a slew of activities over the next year.

"There's a lot of history in Glen Lutheran," said Linda White, the church member leading the anniversary committee. "We started out in a parishioners' house, and then we moved to masons' hall, and then we went to Glendale Elementary and had church services there."

Glen Lutheran kicked off its yearlong anniversary celebration with a bull roast last month at Ferndale Fire Company, raising money for a costly window replacement project. It was one of several events organizers have planned to commemorate the congregation's 50-year history.

The church was established officially November 13, 1955, Glen Lutheran Church Pastor David G. Berg said. "It was organized at 10 Chester Circle in the Glenwood/Glen Chester neighborhood," he said, the home of George Klieves, one of the church founders. A survey of the neighborhood revealed the need for a new Lutheran congregation.

The church's growth over the next few years sent members to worship at Glendale Elementary School. Ground was broken on a permanentchurch building July 8, 1956, and was completed later that year. As the congregation continued to grow, members took over the mortgage and added a church hall.

In 1976, the church's education wing was built, housing Sunday school classes and eventually providing meeting space for local community groups.

Today, the church is a community icon, hosting a hodgepodge of community groups free of charge. Boyud Scouts, Girl Scouts, an Alcoholics Anonymous group, North County Emergency Outreach Network leaders and others all meet in Glen Lutheran's facilities.

"We use our building for the community rent free, and we're delighted to do that," The Rev. Berg said.

Anniversary celebration organizers plan to publish a congregation cookbook and a pictorial directory of church members.

An annual Shrove Tuesday dinner is planned for February, along with a children's fair in June, a potluck dinner with dancers and a magician November 12, and a special banquet with the local synod bishop, Gerard Knoche, on November 13, the church's official anniversary date.

By Ryan Bagwell
Staff Writer
Maryland Gazette
December 26, 2004