68°F
weather icon Clear

Christ Lutheran Church to mark 65th anniversary with ice cream social

Christ Lutheran Church will celebrate its 65th anniversary Sunday as the congregation hosts an ice cream social from 2-4 p.m.

According to church records, the idea for a Lutheran place of worship in Boulder City started in 1936, when the Rev. E.A. Wessel came to Las Vegas.

During the following 16 years, Wessel conducted worship services in Boulder City in homes, Recreation Hall (where the Park Service building stands), City Hall, St. Christopher's Episcopal Church and the Knights of Pythias Hall.

In 1951, Christ Lutheran Church became affiliated with the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. A year later, the first shovel of dirt was turned in a groundbreaking ceremony for the church that now stands on the corner of Fifth and B streets.

"There have only been about two additions or renovations of the church since I've been here," said Marla Effertz, the congregation's longest-tenured member.

Effertz, who moved to Boulder City because of her husband's job, has been a member since 1973.

One of the additions to the church has been Little Lambs. The preschool has shared space with the congregation's Sunday school, Lambs Lessons. The school is open to the community and is not exclusive to members' children. The school holds morning and afternoon sessions three days a week for 3- and 4-year-olds.

Other additions to the church have been worship and office areas.

Christ Lutheran Church has seen its congregation grow since the days Effertz began attending, and she said she currently sees an influx in members.

"The average (in 1973) was about 25 to 30 members," Effertz said. "Everything ebbs and flows, and now for a weekend service we're around 60-something."

According to Effertz, the church added a 5 p.m. Saturday service several years ago. The Sunday morning mass as well as Lambs Lessons begin at 9:30.

The Ladies Craft Group, where women are invited to work on arts and crafts activities, meets each Thursday morning at Christ Lutheran, as well.

During its history, the church has put on numerous social events and fundraisers, including Adopt-A-Bag, which is where every member of the church would take home a bag, fill it with nonperishables and then donate those bags throughout the community.

The ice cream social is open to the community and will serve old ice cream classics, including traditional toppings.

Contact reporter Randy Faehnrich at rfaehnrich@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow him on Twitter @randyfaehnrich.

 

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
BCHS going strong at 85

The 2025–26 school year is off to a fantastic start at Boulder City High School.

Falls at home place seniors at significant risk

We may crack up watching slip and fall accidents on TikTok or “America’s Funniest Home Videos”, but in real life, especially for seniors, it’s no laughing matter.

Wine Walk returns with new lineup of themes

September kicks off the busiest time of the year in terms of community events in Boulder City.

Local schools welcome new staff faces

Author John Steinbeck once wrote, “I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.”

Who’s supposed to weed out the weeds?

“In the weeds” is a phrase used in the restaurant industry to describe when the front and/or back of the house becomes overwhelmed with orders, creating kitchen chaos.

Howdy, partner! Western Inn Motel has new owners

For nearly 90 years, the Western Inn Motel has served as a temporary place for residents as well as travelers on their way to Hoover Dam, Las Vegas and beyond.

Healthy aging at any age

Healthy aging is the process of maintaining good physical, mental, and social health and well-being as we grow older. It is not just for older adults. It starts at any age. There are key areas of health that can help you stay strong and healthy throughout your life.

When household products overpromise and actually deliver

Every now and again you come across a product that makes you stand back and say, “Wow, that worked way better than I thought it would!” These gleeful moments come as a welcome surprise when we’re often disappointed by products that overpromise and under-deliver. When I find these little gems, I store them away in my mental DIY toolbox. This past month, I was happy to add a few more “must have” products that exceeded my expectations.

Summer is a time to be safe

It’s a safe bet that the one thing we all have in common every summer is managing the extreme heat and our body’s reaction to the excessive temperature prevalent in our geographic location.

Free fishing fun

Logan Davis, along with his kids Winter and Maverick, tried their best to catch a fish Saturday, along with all the many others who enjoyed the city’s free fishing day at the pond at Veterans Memorial Park.