Hope Lutheran Church (Birmingham, Alabama) Records

In July 1963, Kenneth L. Rosche, a graduate of Concordia Seminary (Saint Louis, Missouri) arrived in Birmingham to establish a mission congregation. The first worship services were held on January 12, 1964 at the Jewish Community Center. Services were held at this location through May 26, 1968. On February 9, 1964, a meeting was held to establish Hope Lutheran Church, affiliated with the Southern District of the LCMS. Special services for ordination and commissioning of Rev. Rosch were conducted at Vestavia Lutheran Church on June 21, 1964. September 27, 1964 was designated as Charter Communicant Day. With the assistance of the Southern District Mission Board, a parsonage was purchased in May 1964. Negotiations for the purchase of land for a church building began in early 1964. Land was purchased from the Episcopal Foundation in April 1965, and additional acreage was purchased in January 1966. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in November 1967, and special dedication services were held on July 14, 1968. This congregation held its final worship service on May 23, 2021.