Fortress Church of the Month: St James Lutheran Church

St James Lutheran Church recently celebrated their seventy-five year anniversary. 

The church has grown since it first began, they have roughly around 117 in the congregation on the weekends. The church moved into its current location in 1968 and added onto its building in the 90s by adding a gymnasium. 

The church has had around six different full time pastors over the years. Their current Pastor is Fredrick Hearn. He was a Pastor in Toledo Ohio when he got the call to be the Pastor at the St James Lutheran Church.

“The congregation is truly just such a nice community, you probably won’t get out of here without five or six people grabbing hold of you and having a conversation with you and truly wanting to get to know you,” Hearn said. 

Hearn said that the church’s mission is to glorify God, nurture all and share the gospel.

Larry Wilk, who has been a member at the church for the past 34 years said, “what’s so special about this church is that the people here are like family, they bring you in and care for you. Everyone here knows everyone.”

There are many ways to get plugged into St James Lutheran Church.

“As long as you are open with people they are going to plug you in,” Wilk said. “There are plenty of opportunities with bible studies, with cultures groups, with youth groups and more.” 

Janice Jervice, who works at the front desk at the church, said, “there are many womens and mens small groups that you can join, as well as ministry teams.” 

The church offers a multitude of groups and they always have something that is going on. They have a trunk or treat happening at the end of October and a Nativity walk during Christmas time, as well as community fundraisers.