Serving the Region since 1975
Pastor Richard Schleicher and members of Our Shepherd, standing on the recently purchased church property in 1977.
Our Shepherd Lutheran Church is proud to be a part of the cultural fabric of the Northwest Indiana community - a community we’ve been privileged to love and serve since 1975.
On July 13, 1975, the first exploratory service for a Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church in the Region was held at the Jonas Salk Elementary School in Merrillville, IN. There were thirty-six people in attendance. As exploratory work continued, this mission congregation made arrangements to temporarily hold future services at Peace United Church of Christ in Merrillville. The first service was held there later that year in September.
Our congregation, unnamed at the time, was granted mission status by our church body on November 7, 1975, assisting us with exploratory work and subsidy. In January, 1976, a meeting was held to choose a name for this new mission church. By unanimous vote, the name ‘Our Shepherd’ was chosen, in reference to Jesus, our Good Shepherd (John 10).
Members of Our Shepherd at the dedication service of the modular chapel.
Pastor Donald Thompson and members of Our Shepherd at the ground breaking in 1982.
On July 18, 1976, the first resident Pastor, Rev. Richard H. Schleicher was installed. Then on January 20, 1977, five acres of land was purchased in Crown Point
On October 22, 1978, our congregation dedicated the parsonage and modular chapel. On November 5, we held our first public service of Thanksgiving with 23 in attendance. Regular worship services were held in the chapel and parsonage.
On September 30, 1981, synod approved funding for permanent church. On May 23, 1982, the ground breaking for worship facility took place. With great rejoicing we dedicated our worship facility on November 21, 1982, with two services, one at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.
The cross above the altar in the sanctuary was finished in time for our Easter service on April 3, 1983. The cross was designed and built by Rev. H. Curtis Lyon from our sister congregation in Crete, IL. It is solid oak with a 23 karat gold insert.
In September, 1992, our Little Lambs Preschool began with teachers, Mrs. Barbara Thone and Mrs. Rebecca Hatke. The preschool gradually expanded to three classes including a Kindergarten. A building fund drive was launched in 1999 to add an educational wing. Construction of the education wing was completed in 2004.
The steeple of Our Shepherd was installed on July, 2011.
In June, 2018 through June of 2019, a full remodel and update to the church parsonage was conducted.
Pastors of Our Shepherd
Pastor Wayne Mueller served as the initial exploratory pastor
Pastor Thomas Liesener (1975-1976) was in charge of exploratory work from Granger (South Bend) Indiana
Pastor Richard H. Schleicher (Jul 18, 1976 - Jan 20, 1980) served as Our Shepherd’s first resident pastor
Pastor Armin H. Schultz (Febr 3, 1980 - Apr 13, 1980) served as a vacancy pastor
Pastor John Zickuhr (Apr 13, 1980 - May 25, 1980) served as a vacancy pastor
Pastor Donald L. Thompson (May 25, 1980 - Jun 1986) served as Our Shepherd’s second resident pastor
Pastor Robert Pasbrig (Jun 1986 - Nov 1986) served as a vacancy pastor
Pastor James W. Luedtke (Nov 23, 1986 - Jun 6, 1993) served as Our Shepherd’s third resident pastor
Pastor Peter W. Goetsch (Jul 11, 1993 - Jan 21, 2001) served as Our Shepherd’s fourth resident pastor
Pastor Don Schultz (Jan 21, 2001 - Jul 22, 2001) served as a vacancy pastor
Pastor Joseph R. Schlawin (Jul 22, 2001 - Jun 1, 2018) served as Our Shepherd’s fifth resident pastor
Pastors Lon Keuther, Michael Schneider & Paul Micheel (Jun 8, 2018 - Jul 1, 2019) served as vacancy pastors
Pastor Charles Papenfuss (Sept 2018 - Jan 2019) served as a vacancy pastor
Pastor Harlyn Kushel (Feb 2019 - Jun 2019) served as a vacancy pastor
Pastor Samuel Jeske (July 7, 2019 - Present) serves as Our Shepherd’s sixth resident pastor