Let’s play ELS church trivia! Question: What church began in 1884 in South Boston, moved to Cambridge during the Depression, and moved again to Burlington, MA, 40 years later? What church has had 12 pastors, including Christian Moldstad, George Lillegard, Rudolph Honsey, and Robert Preus? Which one has a bell cast by Paul’s Revere’s apprentice in 1846? What congregation has more members with Irish and Italian names than Norwegian? If you answered Pinewood Lutheran, you’d be correct!
Pinewood is unique in many ways for our synod. We have always been an urban church. We approach people with the mindset exemplified by St. Paul in reaching non-believers, ex-Roman Catholics, and struggling searchers. We are an area church (45-minute circle around the church) rather than a community church. Pinewood also has something we call “food fellowship” in that every Sunday after service, we serve delicious treats to those who stay. In the past 30 years, our congregation has gone from being rather old, age-wise, to very young. Those under 40 form our majority with many young singles and marrieds. Oh, I forgot to mention our pipe organ, which was originally built by Hutchins around 1899.
As one of the few bastions of confessional Lutheranism on the “Right Coast,” we basically do foreign mission work and reflect that mindset. By God’s grace, Pinewood is a happy home to many and a beacon of truth to all.
Rev. Thomas H. Fox
Contributing Writer
Pinewood Lutheran Church
Burlington, MA
