Meet Our Staff and
Church Council

Christ Lutheran Church 
Pastoral, Office, and Facilities Staff

Abigail Orellano - Pastor 
Les Nelson - Pastor Emeritus
Diane Rode - Secretary

The Christ Lutheran Church Council is comprised of specially elected adult members from within our congregation. These are the people who share their time and talents to oversee finances and the facility; coordinate programs and projects; support the spiritual growth of its members; and make recommendations to the Pastor that are consistent with her plans to accomplish Christ Lutheran's mission, vision, and values.

Christ Lutheran Church
Council

Church Council Officers
Mark Peterson - President
Cheri Gragert - Vice President
Ellen Hutcheson - Treasurer
Debbie Sonju - Secretary
 
Church Council Secretariats
Susie Rice - Congregational Life
Naomi Nash - Education/Youth
Sue Riley - Evangelism
LeWayen Kroeger - Facilities
Joan Sonju - Social Ministry
Karen Enhelder - Stewardship
Ramona Baney - Worship

Christ Lutheran Church
Committees

Nominating Committee
Christine Moeller
Amy Smart
Barb Anderson
Barb Neumann
​
Endowment Fund Committee
Alvira Jones - President
Ellen Hutcheson
Karen Enhelder
Dave Swanson
James Wardensky

Audit Committee
Kay Olson
Tom Jones
Valerie Day
 
Memorial Fund Committee
Chloe Adamson
Shirley Chase
​Debbie Sonju

Our 100 Year History of
​Faith and Fellowship


​Christ Lutheran Church, originally named Scandinavian Lutheran Church, opened its doors in Libby in the fall of 1914.

The rich heritage and many areas of worship, fellowship and service began when Serina Knudson, the wife of John Knudson, made a request to Reverend Skindlov of Bonners Ferry, Idaho to baptize her son Karl in the year 1913. Because Serina and other women immigrants of the Libby community wanted to be able to worship regularly, Reverend Skindlov agreed to meet with the group once a month at the Knudson home to hold an afternoon and evening service in Norwegian under the condition they raised enough money to cover his expenses.

The following year, on Sept. 8, 1914, Reverend Skindlov came to the Knudson home and called the Scandinavian Lutheran Church Ladies Aid for the first church service.

Eight years later in October of 1922, the purchase of a building at 1207 Utah Avenue, which is now known to many as the Hidden Chapel Restaurant, became the primary meeting place for unity, fellowship, and worship.

In 1925, with the collaboration of the congregation, the name of the church changed from Scandinavian Lutheran Church to First Lutheran Church. Then, thirty-five years later, the church became a part of the American Lutheran Church.

When construction of the current building, located at 200 West Larch Street, began in the 1960's, the name of the church changed once again to Christ Lutheran Church to reflect the many symbols of Christ in the new sanctuary. Finally, in 1988, Christ Lutheran Church became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.