Archives West Finding Aid

On June 25, 1888 forty-one Swedish pioneers met in a public hall with Pastor Peter Carlson to organize the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Salem Church of Spokane Falls, Washington Territory (later known as Salem Lutheran Church). A lot was purchased by the pastor for $900 on Broadway close to Monroe Street. A simple structure, costing about $700, was erected on the site before the year 1888 ended. In 1904 a parsonage was erected and a pipe organ was installed in 1912. The language issue, a problem for years, was resolved when English was voted out entirely. Some of Salem’s members disagreed and left to organize English Trinity Lutheran Church. In 1925 English was given increased usage. The first annual report was made in English. In 1930 an education wing was constructed at the rear of the sanctuary. During the next decade the front entrance was remodeled. The sanctuary was destroyed by fire in February 15, 1949, during the construction of the Youth Center. A new church and Youth Center were dedicated on April 30, 1950. In 1963 a constitution for the congregation, following the model proposed by the newly consolidated Lutheran Church in America (L. C. A.), was adopted. On January 1, 1988 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (E. L. C. A.) was formed through the merging of the Lutheran Church in American, the American Lutheran Church, and the American Evangelical Lutheran Church. June 25, 1988 marked the 100th anniversary of Salem Lutheran Church.