Our Church History


September 5, 1969
– Land was deeded to Christ the Redeemer from The Lutheran Church of America (LCA)
March 26, 1970 – Deed corrected
April 21, 1970 – Deed from Board of American Missions of LCA to Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church
Early 1971 – The Lutheran Church of America determined that a new Lutheran mission should be established in the Brecksville area.
August 1972 – Paul F. Swartz called to serve as pastor-developer of this new mission.
January 4, 1973 – The first council with 7 members was formed to organize a new church.
February 4, 1973 – First worship service with Holy Communion was held at Brecksville United Church of Christ for those persons interested in establishing a new congregation. There were 141 present.
March 25, 1973 – Sunday Church School classes begin with 62 students present (ages 3 through adult.)
April 28, 1973 – First wedding of the mission.
May 20, 1973 – First congregational meeting with elections to form a 9 member Board of Ministers, to approve the constitution, and to approve a budget.
May 27, 1973 – Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, with 120 baptized members, was formally organized and received into the Ohio Synod, LCA. There were 164 present to witness. A call was placed to Paul F. Swartz to serve as its first pastor.
June 1, 1973 – Ohio Synod meets at Ashland College and received CRLC as the 345th congregation in Ohio.
June 10, 1973 – First CRLC baptism.
August 28, 1973 – First CRLC wedding since congregation formed.
May 18, 1975 – First Confirmation class of 11 students received as CRLC members.
August 11-15, 1975 – First Vacation Church School with 79 students and 35 adults involved, and the theme was “Followers of Jesus.”
November 30, 1975 – Paul F. Swartz resigns as pastor of CRLC to become Assistant to the President of the Ohio Synod.
June 6, 1976 – Robert E. Springer called to serve as pastor of CRLC.
September 28, 1986 – Dedication of outdoor worship space on CRLC property (no building yet) on Route 21 in Brecksville.
October 4, 1986 – CRLC participates in CROP walk and still going strong.
January 25, 1987– CRLC participates in Bloodmobile and still going strong.
December 1987 – First Women’s Advent Tea and still going strong.
June 25, 1989 – CRLC breaks ground for a new church building on property on Route 21 in Brecksville.
April 8, 1990 – First church service held in the new church building.
May 20, 1990 – Dedication of new church building.
September 23, 1990 – Open House for new church building.
May 26, 1991 – Dedication of the Chancel Window stained glass to the Glory of God in loving memory of Carole Lynne Kmec.
Spring 1994 – Dedication of CRLC organ.
2000 – CRLC church building addition doubles overall space with extra offices, expanding fellowship hall and many educational classrooms.
September 17, 2000 – Called Pastor Jonathan Eilert as Associate Pastor
November 2000 – Pastor Jonathan installed.
September 2001 – Installation of Joanna Pretz-Anderson
May 12, 2002 – Dedication of side panel stained glass windows in memory of Cynthia Lee Caldart.
2003 – Pamela Czarnota, A.I.M., installed at CRLC as Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation and Discipleship.
January, 2006 – Pastor Eilert called to Prince of Peace ELCA in Loveland, Ohio.
December 2006 – Called Pastor Amber Waugaman as Associate Pastor of Youth and Family.
September 2007 – All God’s Children Christian Preschool opened with 21 students enrolled (ages 3 & 4.)
October 2007 – Dedication of All God’s Children Christian Preschool.
August 31, 2008 – Outdoor Cross Walk Dedication
November 9, 2008 – Dedication of Gathering Area stained glass panels
July 31, 2010 – Pastor Robert E. Springer retires after 39 faithful years of ministry
August 2010 – Installation of Roger Harms as Intentional Interim Pastor.
July 31, 2011 – Pastor Waugaman resigned; call pending.
October 30, 2011 -Reformation Sunday. CRLC calls Pastor Randy O’Donnell; he begins serving in December 2011
January 29, 2012 – Pastor O’Donnell officially installed
May 5, 2013 – CRLC celebrates 40th anniversary
May 30, 2019 – All God’s Children Christian Preschool closed
November 24, 2019 – Joanna Pretz-Anderson retired from ministry as our Music Director
January 1, 2022
– James C. Alfieri hired as Music Director
May 21, 2023 – 50th anniversary celebration of our church