History is a collection of notable events, milestones and markers that combine to tell the story of people, nations and institutions. Island of Faith Lutheran Church, which began as Wrangell Lutheran Church, is anchored here by its history.

We will celebrate a particular milestone, the 25th anniversary of holding worship services in our own building, on Sunday, Sept. 7.

The congregation began with a few families gathering in the Senior Center in December 1968. It was a time of rejoicing in the new life begun with the infant Christ and their infant church. It was never as large as some, but its members were committed and tenacious.

They worshipped as a house church, with lay-led services. They worshipped in shared spaces through the hospitality of St. Philip’s Episcopal and the Seventh-day Adventist churches.

We became a formally organized congregation within the Alaska synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1987. Sometimes there were full-time pastors, but just as often the church was led by part-time pastors, intern pastors, visiting pastors and short-term resident pastors.

Often there was no pastor at all, and the church was held together by faithful leaders, including some who participated in specialized training to become Synodically Authorized Ministers.

There was the green hymnal, then the blue hymnal, then the cranberry hymnal. We prayed, sang, listened to God’s word, and worked to live out the church’s life and mission in ways large and small. Yet through much of its history, Island of Faith did not have a building of its own.

The congregation was often counseled against working toward such a goal. It was unrealistic: We were too few, it would cost too much to build, let alone maintain. But we had faith. Through loans, fundraising, a great deal of sweat equity and over 1,100 volunteer hours from mission groups, Island of Faith had its building at last.

Like every new house, it needed to be furnished. That first service was BYOC, Bring Your Own Chair. Eventually, artisans contributed items particular to a church: an altar, a cross, a font. With a little stained glass, some banners and a piano, the house became a home.

In spite of those dire warnings that it would be a financial burden, the generosity of giving led to the burning of the mortgage in 2012 (on the day the fire extinguisher inspector made an unexpected appearance!).

Our church home has been a blessing, not just for the congregation but for the wider Wrangell community. It was always the goal to create a space beyond church use for gatherings and meetings of community organizations.

The anniversary celebration will begin with a worship service at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 7. Bishop Tim Oslovich of the Alaska synod (ELCA) will be the guest preacher. A luncheon will follow the service. Anyone who poured concrete, drove a nail, hung drywall or had a hand in any of the work to build our church is welcome to attend.