Our Church History

1. Sod turning. Pastor Wilson (Good Shepherd).

2. Sod turning. Pastor Reyelts standing at left (Good Shepherd).

Hope Lutheran Church is a merger of Forest Heights and Good Shepherd Lutheran Churches of Edmonton’s south side. Forest Heights had been founded in 1954, Good Shepherd in 1957. Following the organization of a federated parish under Pastor Rudy Busch in 1967, merger negotiations were begun in September of 1968 and completed on January 1, 1971.

Pastors Rudy Busch 1971–72, Irvin Holm 1972–79, Martin Garber–Conrad (interim pastor) 1979, David Saude 1979–1989, Roy Pudrycki 1989–2001, Laird Borst 2001-2018, and Kathie Schmitke (interim pastor) 2018-2020 have served Hope. Currently, we're served by Pastor Erik Osness, called in June 2020 and newly ordained in July 2020.

Hope expanded its facilities in the late 1970’s with the construction of a new sanctuary and offices, and the renovation of the kitchen and classrooms.

Hope Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, which has its headquarters in Winnipeg. Through the ELCIC, we participate in a wide range of ministries. These include missionaries serving throughout the world, a university college, two high schools, two theological seminaries, and numerous homes for the elderly. Through these, our commitment is to serve the Triune God and His creation.

History tells us that people come and go, buildings rise and fall, but the Lord is constant, and His church remains.

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