Church History
In November of 1976, Pastor Robert Wendland of Bethany Lutheran, North Ft. Myers, began some initial survey work in the South Ft. Myers area. Several members of Bethany living in this area expressed interest in starting a mission. The first worship service was held at the Villas Civic Association Building on February 20, 1977. Attendance on that day was 31. Vicar Donald Sutton, who served at Bethany from July 1977 - July 1978, assisted Pastor Wendland in the work of this new mission field.
In May of 1978, the Synod's Board for Home Missions officially granted this new field "mission status." On July 23rd, Pastor Dennis Kleist, a 1978 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, was ordained and installed as its first pastor.Crown of Life purchased a 5 acre site along Daniel's Parkway on December 13, 1979, for $22,400 per acre. Work on the Worship - Education - Fellowship Building (WEF) began in April, 1981, and on September 27, 1981, Crown of Life held its first worship service in the new building with 59 people in attendance. The building was dedicated on February 14, 1982.
In May of 1978, the Synod's Board for Home Missions officially granted this new field "mission status." On July 23rd, Pastor Dennis Kleist, a 1978 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, was ordained and installed as its first pastor.Crown of Life purchased a 5 acre site along Daniel's Parkway on December 13, 1979, for $22,400 per acre. Work on the Worship - Education - Fellowship Building (WEF) began in April, 1981, and on September 27, 1981, Crown of Life held its first worship service in the new building with 59 people in attendance. The building was dedicated on February 14, 1982.
Pastor Kleist accepted a call to Jerusalem, Morton Grove, Illinois, and Pastor Rodney Busch, serving Gloria Dei Lutheran, Memphis, Tennessee, accepted the call to Crown of Life. He was installed on February 19, 1984.With steady growth, the congregation saw a need for a larger worship facility. On November 26, 1989, Crown of Life dedicated its present worship facility. Pastor Busch served Crown of Life until November, 1992.
Pastor Rothe, serving St. James Lutheran, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, accepted the call to Crown of Life in May of 1993 and served until October of 1998.
Pastor Paul Lindhorst, serving at Mt. Calvary Lutheran, Kimberly, Wisconsin, accepted the call to Crown of Life in June of 1999. Under Pastor Lindhorst's guidance, we saw the creation of Crown of Life's "Memorial Brick Garden," the construction of a 16,000 square foot Multipurpose-Education facility (dedicated April 2, 2006) and the implementation of a preschool (October, 2006).
Pastor Rothe, serving St. James Lutheran, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, accepted the call to Crown of Life in May of 1993 and served until October of 1998.
Pastor Paul Lindhorst, serving at Mt. Calvary Lutheran, Kimberly, Wisconsin, accepted the call to Crown of Life in June of 1999. Under Pastor Lindhorst's guidance, we saw the creation of Crown of Life's "Memorial Brick Garden," the construction of a 16,000 square foot Multipurpose-Education facility (dedicated April 2, 2006) and the implementation of a preschool (October, 2006).
In July, 2007, Pastor William Balza, serving at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran, South Haven, Michigan, accepted the call to Crown of Life and served until his retirement from the public ministry in the Summer of 2011. Pastor Martin Luchterhand was officially installed to serve as pastor of Crown of Life on August 7, 2011.
We pray that the Lord will continue to graciously guide us so that His Gospel Ministry program might continue to expand among us. The Lord has showered His abundant grace upon this flock for the past 30 years. Today, Crown of Life consists of 130 souls and 115 communicants (plus many active "Snow Birds"). In short, our name is our message, and it is a message we share so that all may receive the eternal crown of life.
We pray that the Lord will continue to graciously guide us so that His Gospel Ministry program might continue to expand among us. The Lord has showered His abundant grace upon this flock for the past 30 years. Today, Crown of Life consists of 130 souls and 115 communicants (plus many active "Snow Birds"). In short, our name is our message, and it is a message we share so that all may receive the eternal crown of life.
