History

In 50 years, St. Philip the Deacon has grown from a mission church with a handful of members to a faith community of 4,500 members, making us one of the largest churches in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Throughout its 50 year history, St. Philip the Deacon has looked at our community, the metropolitan area and the entire world as a mission field. As we leave the building we are reminded that “the mission field begins here.”

Our ministry is best defined by our mission statement; we are called to:

• Reach out to all of God’s people
• Proclaim God’s Word
• Inspire people to do God’s will 

As we give thanks for the past and anticipate the future, we give thanks for those Partners in the Gospel who have faithfully made St. Philip the Deacon their church home.

A VOICE FROM THE PAST

“He [Pastor Ralph Loges] was energized by all of the enthusiasm and willingness to work together as shown at St. Philip. You quickly became our family. Sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, working together to start this new venture in the Lord’s work.”

“The verse he always quoted about the work in Plymouth was I Cor. 3:06 ‘I planted, Apollo watered, but God gave the growth.’ Wow! Did He ever! The last time we attended a regular Sunday service, the CHOIR was larger than the congregation had been in the late ’50s! Like any ‘parent,’ Ralph had a feeling of joy and satisfaction in following your growth and accomplishments.”

“May God continue to help you grow spiritually. May He help you to reach out and to be missionaries by sharing your faith, verbally and in action, to others in Plymouth. In doing this, you will be building the faith of those who live around you. You will also be building memories for the next generation.”

– Mrs. Marion Loges, Wife of the late Reverend Ralph Loges, first pastor of St. Philip the Deacon

The faith journey begins…

April 1958...
First organizational service with 51 members, led by Mission Pastor Ralph Loges. A partnership is formed with Mount Olivet Lutheran Church at Medicine Lake benefitting both congregations by sharing a pastor.

October 1960...
St. Philip the Deacon becomes a single congregation under the continuing leadership of Pastor Ralph Loges.

June 1961...
The Reverend David Lindblom accepts the call to become the second pastor in St. Philip’s history. The next 10 years witnessed steady growth as the present church site was purchased in September of 1961 followed by construction of the worship sanctuary in January of 1967.

December 1970...
The Reverend Charles Claus was inducted as St. Philip’s third pastor, enthusiastically serving the community for fourteen years. The Pipe Organ was installed and dedicated in February of 1977 followed by the construction of the new Educational unit.

April 1985...
The Reverend Dr. David Hoffman begins his journey with St. Philip the Deacon - ushering in phenomenal growth in membership, requiring a new, larger sanctuary. Under Pastor Hoffman’s dynamic vision, St. Philip the Deacon has blossom-ed intoa leading force in local and global community outreach.

...and the journey continues.