About

1894 – St. Henry Lutheran Church, Nisula, founded.  First church completed and dedicated to service in 1895.  The new building project was begun and completed in 1904, with remodeling of vestibule and steeple in 1925.

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1905 – Faith Lutheran Church, Pelkie, founded as Kyro Ev. Lutheran Church.  Members met in homes until completion of church building in 1917.

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1913 – Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Elo, founded.  Construction of first church dedicated to service in 1919.  The new Elo church was built a short distance from the original and dedicated to service in 1949.

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1925 – Representatives of the three churches formed the Kyro Parish, pooled their resources and called the first resident pastor.  Faith, Our Saviour’s and St. Henry were a part of the Suomi Synod before joining with the Lutheran Church in America in 1962.

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1989 – Members of the Kyro Parish, now known as Pelkie Evangelical Lutheran Parish, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, voted to unite as one congregation.  A new name, Mission United Lutheran Church, was later voted on.

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1992 – Completion and dedication of the new church building was celebrated.  The Faith Church building was sold and now serves as the Pelkie Mennonite Church.  Our Saviour’s Church was sold to a private individual, and the ownership and care of St. Henry’s Church was assumed by the Laird Twp. Historical Society.  The Headstart Program was also welcomed in 1992 to share in the use of our new facilities.

 

1993 – The Mission Wellness Nurses were installed, and take blood pressures regularly during the fellowship time between Sunday services.

 

1999 – The Aunus Congregation, in Karelia, Russia, was adopted as our sister congregation.

 

2000 – The church parking lot was enlarged, and the circular Memorial Driveway was added around the back of the building.  Also added were the awe-inspiring rustic crosses on the hillside overlooking the parking lot.

 

2001 – We joyfully supported and celebrated our first missionary, Lisa Makela, to Namibia, Africa

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The following have faithfully served as pastors of our church family since 1925:

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1925-1927       Rev. David Samanen

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1927-1933       Rev. Emil Tervo

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1934-1939       Rev. Aarne Juntunen

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1939-1945       Rev. Arvo J. Korhonen

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1945-1947       Rev. Vilho J. Hanninen

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1947-1953       Rev. Frans J. Koski

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1954-1957       Rev. John M. Junttila

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1958-1964       Rev. Lauri T. Pikkusaari

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1964-1969       Rev. Edward M. Groop

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1970-1972       Rev. Keith T. Nelson

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1974-1981       Rev. James F. Peters

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1981-1986       Rev. Terry L. Williamson

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1986-2004       Rev. Michael V. Laakko

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2005-2017       Rev. John R. Autio

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2019-2019       Rev. Kellan Weyer

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2020-present   Rev. Kelly J. Ylitalo