Stained Glass Window in Sanctuary

"The People of Christ Sharing the Love of Christ"

Vision Statement

Christ Lutheran Church will be an alive and growing congregation, a place for those who know and for those who do not yet know Christ, serving their spiritual and earthly needs. The church will be seen as an integral part of everyday community life; assisting members and non-members in meeting contemporary life challenges. We will provide a Christian spiritual experience strengthened by education, fellowship, and community service. The church will provide to the community and the congregation a place of acceptance and inclusion in which we can share the word of Christ and do the works of Christ.

About Us

Christ Lutheran Church is a family of believers. We know that God is faithful, that He loves us, and that He forgives us despite all our shortcomings. We rejoice in the Good News of Jesus Christ, our risen and victorious Savior, and we look confidently to the resurrection from the dead and life eternal. May we truly be to you and to ourselves: "The people of Christ, sharing the Love of Christ."


A Brief History of Christ Lutheran Church

The conception of Christ Lutheran Church began as early as 1944 when a religious canvass of South Austin was made by Rev. Paul Strickert of Grace Lutheran Church. At that time there were no Missouri Synod Lutheran Churches in South Austin, and only St. Paul (founded 1891), Trinity (1938), Grace (1939, disbanded 1959), and San Juan (disbanded) in the rest of Austin. In the autumn of 1945 the Texas District Mission Board purchased the present church property at 300 E. Monroe Street. The first pastor called to serve Christ Lutheran was the Rev. Donald V. Hafemann, who arrived on March 1, 1946. On May 5, 1946 the first worship service of Christ congregation was held in the old Parish Hall (Christ's Workshop) with 69 people present and an offering of $43.85. On December 4, 1946 the church Constitution was adopted; on December 7, 1947 ground was broken; and on May 23, 1948 Christ Lutheran dedicated its first sanctuary, built and equipped at a cost of $21,313.

Growth: During the early years of the church there was a close cooperation and joint usage of facilities with Jesus Church for the Deaf. In May of 1962 the organizational meeting of Bethany Lutheran Church was held at Christ. Bethany conducted its first service on June 3rd, and in July, 1962, 67 of Christ's members were granted transfers to Bethany. From June, 1962 through July, 1965 Christ shared the services of its Pastor with Bethany.

Christian Education: Sunday School started two weeks after the first service was held with an enrollment of 35 students. The first VBS was held on August 18-29, 1947 with a total enrollment of 60 pupils and teachers. A kindergarten was begun in 1948 and continued for several years. A "branch" Sunday School was conducted from 1954 to 1973 at the Meadowbrook Apartments, 1201 W. Live Oak Street. A mid-week educational program for 5th and 6th graders was begun in October, 1970 and continued for a number of years. In September, 2001 a mothers' morning out program for three and four year olds (TOTS) was begun by Pachalin Stennfeld and continues to flourish today. Adult education through the years has included regular Bible classes and special classes such as Crossways, Lifelight, and Heart to Heart. Currently, besides Sunday morning Bible classes, there are several small group Bible studies held in members' homes and Thursday morning and evening study classes.

Building: As the congregation grew, the church "buildings" changed to reflect new needs. In the spring of 1963, both the old Parish Hall and the sanctuary were air conditioned. In May, 1964 the old Parish Hall was fully renovated and extended. In 1965 additional property due north of the Church was purchased, the house razed, and the lot landscaped. A new Fellowship-Education extension to the Church was dedicated on March 25, 1973. An extensive remodeling of the sanctuary was completed in 1976. A new pipe organ built by Otto Hofmann was dedicated on August 14, 1977. The youth remodeled the Old Parish building in 1978 and renamed it "Christ's Workshop." Also in 1978, the church purchased four homes and lots to the north of the Church for possible future expansion. A program for expansion began in 1984, and on August 24, 1986 a new sanctuary was dedicated along with several new classrooms. The old sanctuary was converted into a fellowship area and the kitchen was greatly improved. In November, 2001 a new children's playground next to Christ's Workshop was completed.

Events Through the Years:

Charter Members: Of the 62 members who joined during 1946, we honor the following who are currently members of Christ Austin: Marylee Anderson, Dorothy Craig, Jimmy Craig, Tommy A. Craig, Harold & Alvina Derenberger, Rylean Farris Frieling (2nd child baptized at Christ in June, 1946), and Harold Hoes.


Pastors of Christ Lutheran Church:


About Pastor Stennfeld

John C. Stennfeld, the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, is a 1989 M. Div. graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He did his undergraduate work at Concordia College, River Forest, Illinois, receiving his B.A. in 1985 with a major in philosophy and a minor in Biblical languages. Upon graduation from the Seminary, Pastor John was ordained into his first call as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, San Francisco, California. He served there until January of 2000, when he assumed the pastorate at Christ Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas.

Pastor John is married and has three daughters--Trinity, Divina, and Micah. His wife, Pachalin, is a native of Thailand. The couple have been happily married since 1989.




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