The Minnesota Natural Gas company meeting room served as the place of the first worship service conducted by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Brainerd. Vicar John C. Ibisch of the St. Cloud Mission conducted the first service on June 1, 1969.

Since that time, the congregation, having chosen the name of Christ Evangelical Lutheran church, has worshipped in the Salvation Army facilities, later renting the Seventh Day Adventist church, which has now been purchased by Synod. This building is located at 1009 South Seventh Street.

At the present time, the congregation is being served by Pastor Larry Cooper, pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran church in Duluth. Vicar Tom Liesener of the St. Cloud Mission substitutes occasionally.

A Sunday School has been established for children from three years and older every Sunday. An adult Bible study class meets each Sunday, instructed by the pastor. Sunday School teacher training classes are held to train and help the three teachers who work with the children. Two confirmation classes are also conducted by the pastor, one for teenagers and the other for adults who wish membership in the church. Release-time classes are also held.

The original Sunday School had four pupils and has increased in number to 14 in the past year; the congregation now has eight families from four in the original number. A full-time pastor has been called.

Reproduced from the Centennial Edition of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch (1871-1971).