Christ Lutheran Church celebrates 100 years of faith, community, and service in Great Kills
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — On a record-warm March morning, Christ Lutheran Church in Great Kills was bustling with volunteers preparing the building and grounds for a milestone event marking its 100th year as a congregation.
Key Points
- Christ Lutheran Church in Great Kills is celebrating its centennial in 2025
- Events include a June picnic, August commemorative service, and October gala
- The church is launching a $100,000 endowment campaign for future ministry support
Volunteers honor a century of ministry with hands-on care
Located on Cleveland Avenue, Christ Lutheran Church first began in 1924 when German-American Lutherans organized in a storefront on Amboy Road. The congregation was officially chartered a year later, holding services in the former Great Kills Theater before moving to its permanent home. The cornerstone was laid in 1952, with the church dedicated in 1953.
Volunteers recently gathered to clean the sanctuary and prepare for a full schedule of anniversary events, continuing a tradition of congregational involvement that stretches back generations.
Centennial events connect past and present
The congregation is marking its 100th anniversary with several community-wide events, including a picnic at Nansen Lodge on June 8, a commemorative service on August 10 at the site of its original worship space, and a formal centennial worship service and luncheon at Old Bermuda Inn on October 26.
A fundraising campaign called “100 for 100” is also underway, aiming to raise $100,000 to support long-term ministry and outreach efforts.
Looking ahead while preserving tradition
Christ Lutheran Church continues to serve as a gathering place for worship, support groups, youth programs, and community partnerships. The church has maintained connections with other local congregations and recently became home to the 550-pound bell rescued from the former Eltingville Lutheran Church by Eagle Scout Benjamin Mick.
Leadership continues to prioritize inclusion, youth involvement, and community relevance, as the church builds upon its century of faith and fellowship.