Off the Map: St. Stephen’s Church growing in Atkins

ATKINS - St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins has been a part of the community since 1866.

While the first services were held in homes on farm land surrounding the town, a permanent church was built in 1872. The building where the congregation celebrates today was constructed in 1941, with additions added to the building in 1973 and 2004.

And by the end of this month, the church will grow again.

Some six months ago, church members began construction on an addition that includes a fellowship hall and kitchen, a multipurpose room that will be used by the Church's quilting group and the choir, and a new entrance with a covered drop off space off the new parking lot.

Pastor Doug Woltemath, who has been with St. Stephen's for 14 years, said the project got underway after a survey of church members.

'Everyone was very united behind the project,” he said. 'I am amazed at how well the congregation has gotten behind it. And I think everyone is getting something they wanted out of the addition.”

Woltemath said he looks forward to using the space for coffee and doughnuts after Sunday services.

'It will be wonderful to have a space to go for that fellowship,” he said. The space also will be used for funeral luncheons and other gatherings.

'My hope is that the community can use it as well,” Woltemath said. 'The whole project is interesting and we look forward to using the space in a God pleasing way.”

The project, a $1.4 million investment, also had significant volunteer support. Lifelong St. Stephen's member Art Rinderknect stepped up to serve as volunteer general contractor.

'That has saved us a ton of money,” said Woltemath, noting that he has enjoyed watching people work together, from start to finish, to make the project a reality. 'That is something to be thankful for,” he said.

St. Stephen's Lutheran Church has 560 members 'on the rolls,” Woltemath said, but typically there are about 185 people worshipping each week. Beyond the Sunday service and Sunday school, the building is abuzz throughout the week with meetings of the quilting group, choir, bible study groups and more. The church also has a strong affiliation with Central Lutheran School in Newhall. 'That is a big part of our ministry,” Woltemath said.

It's those reminders of how the building is used throughout the week that keep Woltemath's view of the project in perspective. 'This is not about the pastor or the builders or the general contractor,” he said. 'We don't want any glory for this. And while we are excited about the new addition we must remember that it's not the building that makes the congregation, it's the people.”