St. Stephens Lutheran Church has been in the neighborhood for a while. How long? Many families in this area came here more than two hundred years ago; some are still arriving and becoming part of our family. The history of our congregation becomes part of us all. 

About 1820, the pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church held the first services in a home near here and about 1840, services were begun and a congregation organized, named Miller’s Lutheran Church. It was part of the Tennessee Synod. The congregation divided in 1848, and one part chose the name St. Stephens Church. A division in 1898 resulted in another by that name, which joined the English Synod of the Missouri Synod. They built down the road in 1906. The old structure was placed over a basement and bricked in, and two additions were made over the years. It was razed in 1991 when the present structure was built. Dedication of the present sanctuary was in September of 1991. 

As the congregation grew, in 1943 it realized a dream had come true by opening a school. The present classroom building was erected in 1986, and the debt was retired within two years. The school, now in it’s 67^th year, nurtures children from preschool to 8^th grade in Christ Jesus.

At the beginning of St. Stephens Lutheran Church in 1898, members were mostly farmers. Later, most were employed in the manufacturing industries which grew up in the area. Today, there is a increasing diversity in our types of employment. 

In the past, our congregation has shown a special interest in a variety of things, in Biblical teaching, in family activity in the church, in education, participating in our church body, and meaningful worship. Some feel God is calling us to an increased concern for a ministry of outreach and service in our community. 

Our congregation is a member of the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Our church body of 2.7 million people has members in 6,000 congregations. We also are involved in mission work in 30 countries.