About Us

Our History

American Lutheran Church was formed by the merger of Christ Lutheran church, founded in 1881 and St. John’s Lutheran Church, founded in 1904. The two churches voted unanimously to become one congregation on June 29, 1952. Land was purchased and a new church was constructed to serve the 273 families of ALC. The facility was dedicated on November 14, 1954. Within five years the mortgage was retired and ALC became debt–free. Through the years we have prayerfully and financially supported congregations in Golden and Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as in Lodgepole, Gering, and Kearney, Nebraska. In the 1960’s the congregation voted to mortgage the church to support both congregations in Colorado, as part of the Sponsorship Loan Program. At that time, the need for additional education rooms arose. Multi-purpose rooms and offices were added to the north and west of the existing building. A house across the alley from the church was purchased in 1960 and continues to serve as our parsonage.

As the congregation continued to grow, we called an assistant pastor to serve in 1972, and in 1995, a second parsonage was purchased. In the 1990s, ALC embraced the internship program and became a partnership in the education of future pastors of the ELCA. The blessing of those interns is more than we could have known at the time as the congregation continues to stay in touch with each of them as they continue their ministry far beyond the friendly confines of Gothenburg. The planning of the sanctuary renovation began in 1997. This Legacy Project came to fruition through generous donations from church families and a loan from our own ALC Foundation. By 2002, the worship space was completed, including a new chancel area, choir loft, new pews, flooring, altar, sound system, and the renovation of the pipe organ. Stained glass windows were installed as completed by their designer with the last window installed in 2008. By the end of 2010, the loan from the foundation was repaid and the church once again became debt-free.

Many individuals have contributed and aided in the history of the congregation. It has evolved into a church family with a vision and a determination to continue to spread God’s Word and love to all people