The Story of Faith Lutheran Church

Interest in the mission potential of Elma was first shown by the Cattaraugus Conference of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 1927 when the conference asked the Rev. Eric C. Malte, Bradford, PA, to canvass the Elma area. A preaching station was established that year in the Luder’s home in Elma. Rev. Victor Neeb of Farmsville, VA, was called to be missionary of Elma and vicinity. He was installed on January 27, 1929.
On March 5, 1929, Faith Congregation was officially organized.
On June 22, 1930, the cornerstone was laid for a new Church at our present location, and on January 25, 1931, the new church was dedicated.

In August 1949 a call was extended to candidate Walter A. Maier, Jr. who had served the congregation during the summer months. On Sept. 1, 1949, Dr. Walter A. Maier, Sr. founder of the International Lutheran Hour, was speaker and principal officiant at his son’s service of ordination and installation.

By 1951, the congregation saw the need for parsonage, and built one next to the church, still in use today.

By the 1960’s, the congregation had outgrown their small church, and plans were made to build a larger sanctuary. The current church building was completed and dedicated on May 23, 1965

Over the years, Faith has been served by 12 faithful men as pastors, providing spiritual care to hundreds of members and families.

As always our God is in control of our future. God has richly blessed Faith Congregation. No one pastor, no one member has been indispensable or irreplaceable. God’s work continues as pastors and people come and go. But through each one, God works His plan of Salvation in the lives of an increasing number of believers. To Him we give all praise and thanksgiving. We humbly pray for the faith necessary to use our facilities to share the love of Christ with each other in the community and in the world.