A Brief History of First Lutheran Church

In 1893 Jonas P, Dahlin, a young student at Harvard University, began mission work among the Swedish immigrant families of Malden and Everett. As a result of his labors, First Lutheran Church was organized on October 26, 1893. The congregation was affiliated with the Augustana Lutheran Synod.

The Rev. Carl Henderson was called as the first pastor. Land was purchased at the corner of Church and Waite Streets and a church building erected at a cost of $3,000. Dedication services were held October 10, 1897. It remains today as one of the oldest houses of worship in the city of Malden.

A number of pastors and lay leaders served the congregation during its earliest years. Among them were Pastors L. O. Linell, Oalf Lundgren and Henry Hanson. In 1919, during Pastor Hanson's tenure, a parsonage was constructed with serves today as the Parish House.

Rev. Dr. John Eckholm, a retired professor from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, assumed the pastorate in 1928. Under his vigorous leadership, a major addition to the church was constructed and numerous auxiliary groups, including the Brotherhood, the Luther League and the Women's Guild, were organized. Under the leadership of the Brotherhood, the first Lucia Fest was held in December 1932, beginning a tradition which continues to the present day.

Dr. Eckholm was succeeded by the Rev. Hilding Kron. Pastor Kron's enthusiasm for music, shared with Mr. Leonard Bratt who had become organist and choir director in 1937, led to the building of the first pipe organ. First Lutheran became well known for its fine choir and musical life. Mr. Bratt served as organist until his death in 1976. Pastors Carl Ohman and Carl Olson led the congregation through the wartime years.

The Rev. Emil Carlson came to Malden in July 1948. During his ten-year pastorate the congregation grew in size, and numerous improvements were made to the building. Following Pastor Carlson's death, Pastor Vincent Ligouri served as pastor. During his seventeen-year tenure, a new parsonage was purchased, the old parsonage converted to a Parish House, the steeple added and a new organ built. In 1966, Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Everett merged with First Lutheran.

The Rev. James Knowles was pastor from March 1977 to July 2003. After his departure to pursue a new path in his life, the church had two interim pastors, Pastor Rick Schulhaus and Pastor Heidi Fieldston. In July of 2005, Pastor Angela Freeman became pastor of First Lutheran.

In recent years the congregation has been an active participant in community outreach programs and local ecumenism. Lutheran Book of Worship was introduced in 1979 and a major renovation of the sanctuary undertaken in 1983. In January 1988, the congregation became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.