A Brief History

A Mission Congregation

The American Lutheran Church (ALC) mission congregation that was to become Grace Lutheran, Hockessin, was started with the arrival of Rev. David Wasgatt to be the Mission Developer.  Pastor Dave was able to gather a nucleus of interested families and, within six weeks, began worshiping regularly in the Odd Fellows building, downtown Hockessin October 13, 1970.  Grace Lutheran Church was incorporated February 28, 1971. Soon after, that mission was combined with a struggling Lutheran Church in America (LCA) mission that had begun organizing near by.

 A Building of Our Own

As the new worshiping community grew they began planning for a permanent building.  Land had been purchased by the national church at the intersection of Rt. 41 and Graves Road and a first unit was dedicated in 1978.  The area served grew slowly but Grace’s reputation as a caring Christian community allowed it to grow faster.  Their first addition to the initial unit was dedicated in 1987, adding a large fellowship hall with kitchen and badly needed classrooms.

This congregation voted to join the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1988 when it was formed by the uniting of three previously separate Lutheran bodies: the ALC; the LCA; and the ELC.

 Growth and Changes

The latter part of the 20^th century saw more rapid growth in this served part of northern Delaware as well as rapid growth of the bedroom communities located in the rural settings just across the border in Pennsylvania.  Worship attendance grew in a mostly straight line beginning to stretch the walls of the physical facilities, especially the Sunday School rooms, office, and the sanctuary.  Temporary accommodations dealt with the crowding issues until a second addition could be planned.

By the start of the 1990’s Pastor Dave felt called to retire from the full-time ministry.  Rev. Paul Lundmark was called as the new Pastor and installed January 1992.  The second addition to the facility at the intersection of Rt. 41 and Graves Road was completed in 1999, providing much improved offices, a choir room/chapel, and five new classrooms.  Included in that addition was a significant unfinished space, to be completed when continuing growth required.

 Our Mission and Vision renewed

In 2008 a re-visioning process was led by one of the series of intern/Vicars and out of that work three near-term strategies were identified and adopted.  They were: (1) equipping us for outreach ministry; (2) facility optimization; (3) and enriching Grace’s Christian community.  As a key part of the third strategy we sought to recruit a full-time Youth and Family Director.  This has culminated in the October 2009 addition of Josh Kelly to our professional staff.

As steps were taken to energize the outreach to youth and families, the desire to optimize our facilities increased.  The previously unfinished area of the prior addition is now being completed to provide another large meeting area, expanded and upgraded space for our youth and family programs, and eventually modernization of the sanctuary.  Fund raising has been completed and work will begin as designs are finalized.  We hope all these upgrades will be in use before 2010 is finished.