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.