Who We Are

Mission, Vision and Values

Mission Statement

In Mission for Others

Vision Statement

Content coming soon…

Core Values

Content coming soon…

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Our Beliefs

Lutheranism

As one of the oldest Protestant denominations, Lutheranism is a branch of Christianity that traces its core beliefs and practices back to the teachings of the German monk Martin Luther (1483-1546). Luther’s biblical insight was that “we are justified by God’s grace through faith.” In other words, we are saved by God’s grace through faith, and not by our actions.

As Lutherans, we confess our faith in the words of the ancient Christian creeds and claim to be a part of “the one holy Christian (catholic) and apostolic church”.

Ecclesia semper reformanda est is Latin for “the church is ever reforming”. Lutheranism seeks to maintain its essential tradition, while evolving with cultural and social changes. 

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Evangelical

“Evangelical” comes from Greek origin meaning “good news” or “gospel”. Evangelical indicates our commitment to sharing a faith that is based on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Lutherans have no direct connection to other Christian denominations which may describe themselves as “evangelical”.

Lutheran Beliefs

Ecumenical Relationships

Lutherans have been actively involved in the modern ecumenical movement. Ecumenism is the concept that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships and promote Christian unity.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Anglican Church of Canada have been in full communion since 2001. This is a special relationship by which clergy, members and congregations of both denominations are recognized as brothers and sisters in Christ fully sharing in a celebration of the word and sacrament without any restriction or qualification.

Relationships to Other Religions

inter faith symbol

At the denominational level, the Lutheran church is in dialogue with our Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist brothers and sisters to overcome our mutual ignorance, prejudices and false assumptions. We feel deeply connected to the people of other faith traditions by recognizing that they have the same dedication, devotion and loyalty in their expression of faith as we have to ours.

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“As a Reformation church, we are compelled to rethink ourselves from generation to generation and to ensure that the way in which we organize ourselves affords God’s people the best opportunity to boldly participate in God’s mission in this present moment in history.”

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Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop, ELCIC
Reimaging Our Church, March 2019

Grace Lutheran Church History

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church traces its history to German immigration to the Ottawa Valley in the early 1880’s. The desire to gather to worship God in the Lutheran tradition in the village of Eganville (in Renfrew County) was the dream of the sixteen charter members of Grace who constructed its first church building in 1888. As the community grew and flourished, Grace Lutheran soon outgrew its church home, and a larger church building was built in 1916 in the gothic style.

Many ministries within the church and community necessitated more space for gathering and education. For these purposes, an addition to the church was built in 1952.

Grace Lutheran became a full member of the Canada Synod in 1947 and has retained this status in its successor bodies, the Eastern Canada Synod of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) and, most recently, the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC).

Original Grace Lutheran Eganville church
Exterior of Grace Lutheran in Eganville, ON built in 1916 and destroyed by fire in May 1992 (Wilfrid Laurier University Archives and Special Collections)
Wood carving of original Grace Lutheran Eganville church
Wood carving of 1916 church

A devastating fire destroyed the church building on May 25th, 1992. However, the dedication and perseverance that began this faith community endured, and the church was rebuilt. The present house of worship was dedicated in May of 1994.

Grace Lutheran continues to joyfully gather families from Eganville, Pembroke and the surrounding area.

Original Grace Lutheran Eganville parsonage
Parsonage exterior of Grace Lutheran in Eganville, ON (Wilfrid Laurier University Archives and Special Collections)

Affiliations

Grace Lutheran is nationally affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), and regionally affiliated with Eastern Synod. 

In full communion with: