Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church Celebrates 60 Years in New Milford

Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Milford celebrated 60 years of God’s grace with a special service followed by lunch with current and former members.

The worship service on May 5 was officiated by the Rev. Lisa Holliday, the vice pastor since 2006. Following the service lunch was celebrated at Rudy’s Restaurant in Hackensack where members and friends of the congregation had a chance to share their memories of the church’s 60 years.

Rev. Chongil Park, the pastor at Holy Hill Evangelical Church, played the saw, while his son, John Park played the violin to provide the entertainment. Several pastors who served at Gloria Dei sent in their messages of congratulations that were read at the luncheon.

In 1953, the church was formed with services led by the Rev. Clayton W. Sugg at Steuben School. The cornerstone for the current church building, located at River Road and Virginia Avenue, was laid on Oct. 27, 1957. Other pastors over the years have included the Rev. C. Roger Burkins from 1954-1959, Rev. D. Richard Garrison from 1960-1963, Rev. E. Robert Erickson from 1963-1967, Rev. Roy G. Almquist from 1967- 1973, Rev. Richard Mintel from 1974-1977 and Rev. Arthur C. Pedersen from 1978-2005.

Today the congregation continues to take part in New Milford’s annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, National Night Out, delivers food to the Center for Food Action, hosts senior citizen luncheons and makes yearly contributions to the New Milford Volunteer Fire Department and the New Milford Volunteer Ambulance Corps. 

“We may be a small congregation, but we are very active in our community”, commented Michael Putrino, Vice President of the church’s congregation council.

The church offers a Sunday school that begins at 9:30 a.m. before worship services at 10:30 a.m. Services are 9:30 a.m. during the summer months.

The 60^th anniversary gifts are being used by the church for several projects, including new carpeting for the sanctuary, refurbishing the pews and work on the Memorial Garden. The anniversary celebration was organized by the members of the church’s 60^th anniversary committee.

For more information about the church, call 201-261-6422.