The 50 people at this first worship service became the nucleus of what was to become Our Savior Lutheran Church. They were people of faith and vision, planning and action. Within the first year came a number of firsts: the first Sunday School with 36 in attendance, the first purchase of property (a portion of our present site in the shadow of Leeward Hospital, now Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi), the first debt, the first congregational meeting and the first Communion service. Other important firsts which marked the early life of the congregation were the first baptism–that of Ramona Lynn Hundtoft–and the calling of the first pastor, the Reverend Louis Marting. After Pastor Marting’s July 9,1961, installation, Vicar John Kellogg and his family departed for the Mainland to complete his seminary education. At the time of Vicar Kellogg’s departure, the infant congregation numbered 71 souls and 30 communicants. The journey down the road with the Lord had begun with firm and sure steps and the assurance of His presence.

 It is interesting to note that support for the new congregation came from LWML groups, Walther Leagues and individuals from the Mainland, as well as from local sources. The bell which still hangs in the bell tower at the Diamond Head end of the church was donated by the Oahu Sugar Refinery. First used to call sugar workers to rest at the end of the day, Our Savior used it call worshippers to the Lord’s House for many years. The bell no longer resounds with a clear ring because of years of corrosion, but it is occasionally still rung to commemorate special events. It last rang on the day of prayer during the Persian Gulf Crisis the bell last sounded to remind the community to spend time with their God. In 1995 the bell was joined by a carillon (electronic bell), given in memory of Florence Karamatsu. Now each day the new bells ring out God’s grace to all who in the neighborhood inviting them to join the journey with Our Savior and His people. The early to mid-1970’s was a period of several building projects which included the acquisition of over 100,000 square feet of land adjoining the original property. The present parsonage on Koauka Street was built in 1972 on this new land. As the needs of the congregation grew, rock walls were erected along the stream to prevent further erosion and the parking lot was paved. As the community grew around the church location so did the congregation. The day school and preschool represent an exciting chapter in the history of Our Savior along the road with the Savior.

This commitment to education within the congregation and the community was shown in March, 1970, when the Voter’s Assembly decided to begin the first preschool class. Drawing upon the experience of newly arrived Pastor Dennis Kastens, the preschool opened with 33 students the following September. It soon became evident that the preschool would be only the beginning. Almost immediately after opening the preschool , plans were formulated for a kindergarten and beyond. To make this early expansion possible, the use of the facilities of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church was sought. Planning continued and after much study and deliberation, a proposal for a full-fledged kindergarten through middle school was presented to the Voters’ Assembly. Such plans would include the securing of a part-time acting-principal until the arrival of a duly called principal. Teacher Roger Kottwitz of Our Redeemer served in this part-time capacity. On August 27, 1973, the school opened with 101 students — the next year the enrollment was 125. The community proved to be eager to accept a good academic and loving Christian school.

In 1960 it was clear a new Lutheran Church was needed in the rapidly growing Pearl City/Aiea area. At that time the nearest church was either in Ewa Beach, Wahiawa or Honolulu (and the H-1 hadn’t been built yet). John Kellogg, who had lived on Oahu while in the U.S. Navy and who was now in seminary, arrived in Hawaii for his vicarage assignment. For two years the congregation met in the cafeteria of Alvah Scott Elementary School, just one block Diamond Head of our church. In 1961 the voters called Louis Marting as their first pastor. In 1963 the congregation moved into its new worship facility on Moanalua Road. The present sanctuary was originally designed to be a fellowship hall when the permanent sanctuary was built. Those plans changed in 1971 when the congregation decided to start a preschool. Kindergarten through 8th grade was added in 1973; and the three story school building was dedicated in 1975. Since that first worship service, Our Savior has has seen thousands of people come and go. Between 60 – 70% of those who attend worship are part of the military, meaning 50 – 100 people leave each year (and hopefully are replaced by 50-100 new folks!). We often refer to ourselves as the “church of the revolving door” and what we do as “ministry to a parade.” But our fluid nature does not change the fact that we love meeting new people and enjoy whatever time they are able to spend with us. Their experiences and willingness to serve are always amazing gifts of God. Our Savior’s ministry is not just for the people in the Aiea/Pearl City area. We often host circuit events and social ministry programs for individuals from across the island chain (and our district.) We are blessed to work with missionaries across the globe as well as a number of ministries on the Mainland.