Klingens Family Charter Members

For charter member Grace Klingens, it all began with a knock on the front door in 1957.  Grace and her husband Dan, who worked for the phone company, had just been transferred from Chicago to Colorado.

The woman who knocked on Grace’s door was from Augustana Lutheran Church in Denver.  She was conducting a survey to see if anyone in the neighborhood would be interested in attending a new Lutheran church to be built in the area.  This was possible thanks to a donation of land from the Badey family.  The Badeys had contacted Dr. Paul Noren of Augustana with a tithing of four acres of land for a mission church.

Grace and family said they would be interested in joining such a church.  The Klingens soon found themselves on the steering committee!  Other families in that group included the Willners, Palmquists, Hamiltons and the Smarts.

Starting in 1958, the steering committee met once a month.  Jim Anderson, a seminary intern, led the group.  Grace recalls that he suggested the mission church be called St. Andrew, after one of his favorite apostles.  Also, this was a mission church and Andrew was strong in missionary work.  She also remembers that St. Andrew was crucified, upside-down, on a cross and that is why our church uses his symbol of the cross.

The first service was held at Secrest Cottage School at 66th and Lamar.  The steering committee was hoping there might as many as 20 in attendance.  The number was 52!  As the small congregation grew, services were held at Secrest Elementary School.  Organization of the church, groundbreaking and dedication of the church site took place on September 13, 1959.  By that time there were about fifty adults and fifty-one children who signed the charter roll.

Originally, the front entrance to the church faced 66th Avenue, which is why the address is 6774 W. 66th Avenue.  The doors of the building were special as they were given in memory of a child of the church, Larry Carsens.  The door handles were shaped like shepherd’s crooks to remind us that a shepherd always take care of his flock.

Among the many other things that Grace has documented about the history of St. Andrew are important dates, donations of time and talent, including the first altar, candlesicks, paraments and the outside planter and sign, which were built with the help of fellow charter member, Glenn Lilja.

By Julie Cunningham

Lilja Family Charter Members

Charter member Glenn Lilja was born near Erie, Colorado on the Boulder County line and joined St. Andrew as it was being born.  Glenn and his wife, Shirley, were married at First Lutheran Church in Boulder.  For awhile they attended services there.  Since St. Andrew was being established, and Glenn and Shirley and their two daughters lived in the neighborhood, they became charter members of the new church.

Glenn served on the first Board of Deacons, and Shirley, as wife and mother, helped with Sunday School classes.  Through the years, Glenn has been a faithful member of St. Andrew.  As he says, “St. Andrew is a place of blessing, a place of friendships.  It’s my home.”

Glenn sees the future of St. Andrew as continuing to teach God’s Word and to keep the people of God here as special as they always have been and always will be.  “St. Andrew was the number one church when I joined.  It’s still number one.  I would say that to this day.”

Rynearson Family Charter Members

As told by Kristy Rynearson Schovajsa

Elaine and Ed Rynearson had five children: Kenny, Danny, Kathy, Nancy and Kristy.  The family lived on Upham Street, behind the Arvada Lanes Bowling Alley.  Being Lutherans, they were happy to learn of a new church being built near them.  They joined St. Andrew Lutheran Church as Charter Members.  Kristy recalls that on the day the charter was to signed, her mother didn’t think that signing the document was important and was more eager to get her little brood of five back home.  So none of the family signed the Charter Roll on that day.

Kristy remembers a fun, spirited time growing up in the church.  She was active in Sunday School, junior choir and Luther League.  As Kristy was growing up, her social life and that of her siblings revolved around the church and its activities.  She can tell great stories about others in the church and of her good friends Jeanine Klingens and Sue and Dede Martin.

When asked about her favorite memories, Kristy recalls:

Spaghetti fights in the back of the church that is now the choir loft

The youngster Jean Lascot whom everyone thought was so cute

Babysitting for families of the church, like the Oberts

Rick Torfin and his kindness to her son, Nick

Pastor Paul and Karen Hadland and their ministry with us, her illness and their leaving to go back to Minnesota

To this day, St. Andrew is the “ground point” for the Rynearson family.  Two of the sisters and one of the brothers were married here.  It is the place to which this family returns for family celebrations, for baptisms, confirmations and for funerals.  “This is our home.”

By Julie Cunningham

Photo by Joe Cunningham