Salem Lutheran Church was established on September 12, 1858. On that day, Pastor Theodor Krauss met with a group of eight men to form our congregation and to choose the name, Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church.

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Important History Landmarks

1859: Salem Lutheran School opens

1864: The first church sanctuary is dedicated

1868: Salem joins The Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod

1877: The second sanctuary is dedicated

1909: Sunday School classes begin

1923: The third sanctuary, located at Beecher and S. East Street, is dedicated

1941: Radio broadcast of Salem Sunday worship begins on WLDS

1954: The current Salem Lutheran School building opens

2014: The current sanctuary is dedicated

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Pastors Who Served

1858-1860: Rev. Theodor Krauss

1860: Rev. Erne

1861-62: Rev. Valentine Kline

1862-64: Rev. F.C.M. Heinle

1864-65: Rev. Carl Schurichz

1865-67: Rev. Franz Lehmann

1867-69: Rev. Christopher Metz

1869-77: Rev. Jacob Bergen

1877: Rev. Theodor Wallis

1877-1904: Rev. Edward Beck

1904-08: Rev. H. Hallerberg

1908-1936: Rev. J. G. Kuppler

1937-1948: Rev. Herman Koppelmann

1949-1955: Rev. Oscar Klinkerman

1955-1968: Rev. Herbert Rose

1968-1977: Rev. Harold Woodworth

1970: Rev. J. Gary Schmidt, Associate

1977-1982: Rev. Arnold Krugler

1982-1993: Rev. Frederick Reimer

1992-1995: Rev. Ricky Schroeder, Associate

1993-2016: Rev. Peter Brechbuhl

1994-2008: Rev. Richard Salcido, Associate

2016-2022: Rev. William Orr

2022-Present: Rev. Peter Brechbuhl (Vacancy Pastor)