The 20th century was still in her teens when the Village Lutheran
Church was born as Concordia Lutheran Church on the campus of
Bronxville's Concordia Collegiate Institute, a six-year preparatory
school for young men planning to enter the Lutheran Pastoral ministry (now Concordia College-New York).
Later, young women entering the Lutheran teaching ministry were
enrolled. From 1916 to 1941 Concordia Lutheran Church served the
students, faculty and staff of the Institute, with only a few
families from the surrounding community joining the worship services.
In 1942, under
the leadership of Rev. Howard Halter, the Church moved off Concordia's
campus. During the following years, worship services were held
in three mansions under the name of Bronxville Community Chapel
(Lutheran). In 1946 the Leonard Mansion, our present facility
located behind the Great Porch, was the site of four Church services
and two sessions of Sunday School each Sunday. Worship attendance
averaged 150 and Sunday School attendance averaged 160. Chapel
School opened its doors in 1947 with an initial enrollment of
46 children in nursery school and kindergarten. Chapel School
was the first church-related pre-school and kindergarten in Westchester
County.
God richly
blessed the Church and School in the following years. The Sanctuary,
the Great Porch and the Bell Tower were erected. A kitchen facility
and a church undercroft were outfitted as a fellowship area. Chapel
School doubled its enrollment and added grades one, two and three.
The congregation increased to over 600 members. Additional space
was needed.
In 1960 the
Church sanctuary was expanded. Chancel and choir transept areas
were added to the sanctuary. Seating capacity increased to 350.
the stage was added to the undercroft area permitting Church and
School dramatic presentations. The Friendship room was added next
and spacious classrooms were added above and below this room.
During the
1960's Chapel School expanded through Grade 8 with a capacity
enrollment of 260. To support the growing enrollment, classrooms
in Concordia College's Stein Hall were rented. In addition, the
Friendship Room was used as a classroom for a number of years.
In 1973, Pastor James C. Zwernemann was called as the Senior Pastor. Under Rev. Dr. Zwernemann's leadership, the Village Lutheran
Church and Chapel School continued to grow during the 70's, 80's
and 90's. As the 90's drew to a close, space became the pressing
need as the congregation desired growth and new programs. In 2002
a 30,000 square foot building project was completed to expand
our facilities.
In order to
build the addition an $8,000,000 loan was taken out from Lutheran
Church Extension Fund (with the support of the Atlantic District) and a Capital Campaign was developed to
meet the needs.
The tremendous
growth of our family of faith has presented us with unique challenges
and opportunities. In 2003, Rev. Dr. Robert Hartwell was called
as our Senior Pastor. Under the banner ACME, commitment to excellence
in (A)dministration, (C)ommunity outreach, (M)usic anmd worship
and (E)ducatiuon, the congregation and school continues to respond
to the challenges, mindful of our responsibilities to our congregation,
our children and our community.