1970 - 1980
“We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints.” Colossians 1:4
Continuing the pattern of growth and the challenges and opportunities that growth brings with it, the people of Mount Calvary stepped out in faith and love in the decade of the 1970s.
Nursery Set Up
At the end of the 1950s a small nursery for Sunday mornings had been set up in Luther Hall. The over-all supervisor was a paid babysitter who received a stipend of $6.00 for four hours of service. She was assisted by volunteers.
Ten years later, the nursery was located in the northwest corner of the recently-completed Fellowship/Engelbrecht Hall in what later became the Music Room. In the early 1970s the nursery area was completely remodeled to become a much larger room with wall-to-wall carpeting, new cribs, playpens, educational toys, a diapering area with running water, and other nursery supplies.
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church sometime in the 1970s.
Church Library
Its staff now consisted of a nursery coordinator, a supervisor and a staff of two. Nursery improvements were accomplished by the combined efforts of Marilyn Westerkamp and Dean Jeske, Minister of Christian Education.
A church library was established in a small corner of Luther Hall, then later moved to a larger area on the west side of Fellowship/Engelbrecht Hall. A book cart was used to make books available at the north door of the church after Sunday services. Book fairs were held each spring to supplement income for the library. From a humble beginning of 347 books, the library grew to over 2,000 titles. All were categorized and made available to members of the congregation. For many years Irene Mohr was dedicated to managing the library and keeping it alive.
In September 1970 Mount Calvary celebrated its 20th anniversary and the 125th anniversary of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod under the theme, “A Rose to Remember—A Future to Mold.”
Library ladies held a book fair each spring. Front row, l. to r.: Alice Mallow, Irene List (Mohr). Back row: Phyllis Deffner, June Spangler, Gwen Lawrenz.
Sanctuary Interior Redesigned
In 1973 work began on a project to redesign the sanctuary interior. A further history of the structural changes that took place at this time may be found in Chapter Seven.
In spite of the inconvenience of construction and its related chaos, God continued to bless Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, and in January 1976 Mount Calvary had 998 baptized members, 790 communicant members and 189 Sunday School pupils. On December 1, 1977, the church property was appraised at $2.7 million, of which $1 million was in land.
New Organ Dedicated
A new 15-rank, 12-stop pipe organ for the remodeled church was dedicated December 18, 1977. The instrument, especially designed for the liturgy of the Lutheran Church, was the first organ in the southwest to have a combination card-reader to control the combination action.
This allowed the organist to pre-program any changes on a modified computer card and offered a permanent record for future reference. The finest woods—poplar, Philippine mahogany and oak—were used in the organ’s construction. Its 900 pipes were constructed of tin, lead and hardwood.
The pipe organ was dedicated on December 18, 1977. This view is from the main entrance to the sanctuary, looking east.
Pastor Smidt Replaces Pastor Beyer
On June 25, 1978, the congregation said farewell to Pastor Beyer as he left Mount Calvary to assume the pastorate at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran in Scottsdale. His successor, Pastor Donald D. Smidt, was installed as the congregation’s fourth pastor on January 21, 1979. See Chapter X for Pastor Smidt’s biography.
Program Changes
Under Pastor Smidt’s direction numerous new programs were initiated and existing older ones were expanded. This included a Wednesday morning Bible class for senior adults, adult Bible classes, junior and senior high programs, athletic teams and programs, Marriage Encounter seminars, tape ministry, care ministry for personal crises of members, parenting classes, Cub Scouting, blood pressure checks, singles and couples clubs and a hiking club. The congregation responded to these programs with enthusiasm.
Music Program Expands
In August 1978 Kenneth Heitshusen assumed the responsibilities of choir director/organist. His musical abilities enhanced the worship services for a number of years.
In the fall of 1979 Susan Smidt, the Pastor’s wife, assumed directorship of the Adult Choir. She began a Chancel Choir comprised of children in 5th through 8th grades, and a Cherub Choir of 1st through 4th graders. Special musical numbers by these choirs also added much to the worship services each week.
“Away in a Manger.” Even the animals sing praises to the newborn Babe. From a Children’s Christmas program in the late 1970s.
As this decade closed, Mount Calvary’s people were sharing their blessings in many different ways. Programs at the church were involving more and more members who were looking forward to their future in faith and anticipation of what the Lord was going to provide next.
—William Mahlke