Our Savior's History

        Two years after Hawaii gained statehood, the Aiea-Halawa area experienced incredible growth. The Sugar cane fields that once covered the landscape gave way to houses and businesses. The Lutheran Mission Council of Hawaii assigned Vicar John Kellogg of Concordia Seminary, Springfield, Illinois, to begin work in the area. His efforts soon resulted in the first worship service of what would become Our Savior Lutheran Church on February 5, 1961. The 50 people who met at Alvah Scott Elementary School became the nucleus of the newest Lutheran church on O’ahu. They were people of faith and vision, planning and action. And through their work, the congregation recorded number of firsts: the first Sunday School (with 36 in attendance), the first purchase of property (a portion of our present site in the shadow of Leeward Hospital, now Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi), the first congregational meeting, the first Communion service and the first Baptism --that of Ramona Lynn Hundtoft. With the congregation numbering 71 souls and 30 communicants, Vicar Kellogg departed for the Mainland to complete his seminary education, and Our Savior’s first called pastor, the Reverend Louis Marting, was installed on July 9,1961. The journey down the road with the Lord had begun with firm and sure steps and the assurance of His presence.

After worshipping at Alvah Scott School for almost 2 years, the congregation broke ground in January of 1963, for a new sanctuary. The new building cost $51,000, a major obligation of the young congregation, but the load was eased by donations from congregations across the Mainland, as well as from local sources. The bell that hangs in the bell tower at the front of the church was donated by the Oahu Sugar Refinery First used to call sugar workers to rest at the end of the day, Our Savior used it call worshippers to the Lord's House for many years. The bell no longer resounds with a clear ring because of years of corrosion, but is occassionally rung to commemorate special events. It last rang on the day of prayer during the Persian Gulf crisis. In 1995 the bell was joined by a carrillon (electronic bell) given in memory of Florence Karamatsu. Now each day the new bells ring out God's grace to all in the neighborhood inviting them to join the journey with Our Savior and His people.

This commitment to education within the congregation and the community was shown in March 1970, when the Voter's Assembly voted to begin a preschool. Drawing upon the experience of newly arrived Pastor Dennis Kastens, the preschool opened with 33 students the following September. Almost immediately after it opened, it became evident that the community could support more than just a preschool, and plans were formulated for a kindergarten and beyond.

To make this early expansion possible, the use of the facilities of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church was sought. Planning continued and after much study and deliberation, a proposal for a full-fledged kindergarten through middle school was presented to the Voters' Assembly. Such plans would require the securing of a part-time acting-principal until the arrival of a duly called principal. Teacher Roger Kottwitz of Our Redeemer served in this part-time capacity. On August 27, 1973, the school opened with 101 students – and the next year the enrollment rose to 125. The community proved to be eager to accept a good academic and loving Christian school.

Over the years the Lord has blessed the school with the right leaders at the right times. Miss Anna Mertz directed the preschool in its first year. Cynthia Grade, under whose leadership the school grew greatly from 1972 to 1975, followed her. As the elementary school began, Mr. Cliffors served as principal for one year from 1973 to 1974. Mr. Linn Eckert then served as head teacher for one year prior to the arrival of Mr. David Haak in 1975. After a full decade of service, Mr. Haak accepted a call to the principalship of St. Michael Lutheran School in Fort Myers, Florida. In 1985, Wayne Delventhal became principal bringing more than 20 years of experience in that calling. Mr. Delventhal retired in 1996 after more than forty years of full-time service to our Lord. Miss Mary Wehmiller arrived in August of 1996 to begin her tenure at Our Savior’s school and remained until 2000 when she moved to Hong Kong to serve at the Hong Kong International School. In 2001 George Evensen arrived to run the school ministry.

Pastor Louis C. Marting was the first called pastor of the congregation. He served from 1961 to 1969 when he accepted a call to St. Peter's Lutheran Church in San Leandro, California. Pastor Lou was called home to heaven in April, 1976. Pastor Dennis Kastens who came from our sister congregation in Hilo succeeded Rev. Marting at Our Savior in 1970. While Rev. Kastens was at Our Savior, the congregation took the steps of faith necessary for the success of the schools. Pastor Kastens left Hawaii for Collinsville, Illinois, in February, 1979. Pastor Kastens has since served in Colorado Springs and now serves Peace Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Before the arrival of Pastor Jim Russow from Trinity Lutheran Church in Paso Robles, California, two interim pastors (Kenneth Holoein and Henry Wolk) served Our Savior. Pastor Russow led Our Savior through the 70's and 80’s until accepting a call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Stockton, California in 1987.

On May 3, 1988, the voters called Pastor William Meyer, who was ending a tour as an Army Chaplain in Alabama. He accepted and was installed Aug. 14, 1988. Twenty-two months later he accepted a call to serve Faith Lutheran in Denver, Colorado. In December of 1990, Pastor Mitchell Gowen planted his cowboy boots firmly on Hawaiian soil after accepting Our Savior’s call in October of that year.  1997 saw Our Savior call Jacob Youmans to be it’s first Director of Christian Education. In 2000, Jake accepted the call to serve St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Orange, California. In 2001, Pastor Bill Norton joined the staff as Associate Pastor and remained until his retirement in 2005. Beginning in 2003, Our Savior, in partnership with the Concordia University System, was privileged to have several DCE Interns come and join our ministry.  Kevin Brinkman in 2003, Stephanie Randolph in 2004 and Jodi Beck in 2005 were all from Concordia University - St. Paul and returned to the University at the end of their internship to complete their degree. Allison Johnson in 2006 was our first intern from Concordia University - River Forest and after her internship accepted a call to Florida.  Janet Linden arrived in 2007 from Concordia - Chicago (formerly River Forest).  In 2007, Our Savior approved calling a full time DCE in 2008.

Our Savior Lutheran Church  808.488.3654
98-1098 Moanalua Road  Aiea, HI  96701