Lake Wylie Lutheran Church

Lake Wylie Lutheran Church was founded in October of 1979 when two families living in Tega Cay and members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Charlotte requested that a mission congregation of the American Lutheran church be founded in this area.

Since that time we have grown and expanded along Highway 160 and Gold Hill Road in Fort Mill where we join together to worship God and serve our community.

October 1979 - two families Tega Cay - members Good Shepherd LC, Charlotte requested mission cong. American Lutheran Church (ALC).

Nov. 18, 1979 - Rev. Peter Wuebbens at Good Shepherd LC, 12 families celebrated first service – traveling 50 miles round trip to serve both.

Sept. 28, 1980 - Rev. Walter Wist accepted Call- conducted first worship service.

1980 – 1986 - years of a “Traveling Church” transporting stuff – Clubhouse, Windjammer Park, National Guard Armory, back yards, and dock area.

March 1, 1981 Lake Wylie Luth. Ch. ALC, Fort Mill, SC.
Chartered - 29 families: 55 communicates & 46 baptized (Sun. before Ash Wednesday).

Dec. 13, 1981 –voted to purchase land for church on the corner of Hwy 160

and Gold Hill Road for $ 88,000.

March 16, 1986 - Dedication Phase # 1 Church/Sanctuary (Sun. before Palm Sun.)

Jan. 1, 1988 - ALC, LCA, AELC merge to form ELCA

Jan. 17, 1993 - Phase # 2 - Education Building was dedicated.

Jan. 12, 1997 - Rev. Walter Wist, conducted his last worship service as

Pastor, after 16 years of ministry.

1997 - Rev. Guy Shealy served as Interim Pastor.

Dec. 21, 1997 - Rev. Kenneth “Corky” Spitler - first service at Lake Wylie.

Feb. 22, 1998 – Rev. David Donges, Bishop of the South Carolina Synod
of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) installed Rev. Spitler.

Sept. 2000 – The Preschool started – The Director Jackie Christensen had 2 teachers and a total of 15 students both 3 and 4 year olds – till 2006.

April 23, 2006 – celebrated the 25^th Anniversary of Lake Wylie Luth. Ch.

Sept. 2006 - New Preschool Director Danielle Hawkins with 40 children.

Aug. 31, 2007 farewell service of Rev. Kenneth Spitler – 9 years ministry.

2007-2008 Rev. Luther Swicegood - Interim Pastor, Columbia, SC

Oct. 28, 2008 - Rev. Rufus “Rammy” Lybrand installed as Pastor at LWLC.

Dec. 5, 2010 - Lake Wylie voted to terminate its relationship with the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Jan. 16, 2011 - Lake Wylie voted to affiliate with Lutheran Congregations in Missions for Christ (LCMC - org. March 26, 2000), Canton, Michigan. (made up mostly of Lutheran congregations that left ELCA)

April 17, 2011 – Phase # 3 Fellowship Hall, Kitchen, & Classrooms dedicated.

Dec. 15th, 2013 – approved revised Constitution.

Oct. 25^th, 2015 - Rev. R. E. Lybrand retired, after serving 7 years as Pastor; with 2014 membership of 157 families: 377 Confirmed & 49 baptized.

Nov. 1^st, 2015 - Rev.W. E. Duey formally introduced Intentional Interim Pastor

Jan. 1, 2016 - Preschool – Danielle Hawkins – 100 students; 85 families/LWLC

Feb. 28th, 2016 - 35th Anniversary - Lake Wylie Lutheran Congregation – organized 3-1-1981
Rev. Walter Wist, “Today, We celebrate the Past, to Ignite the Future…”

Charter Members still in attendance with their first Pastor
L-R (MaryAnn & Bob Thomas, Max & Becky Sigmon,
Rev. Walt Wist and Joyce & Chuck Gise

July 17, 2016 - Farewell service of Rev. W.E. Duey as Intentional Interim Pastor.

July 24, 2016 - Rev. Jordan J. Scott's first service at LWLC.

August 7, 2016 - Rev. Jordan J. Scott installed as Pastor at LWLC.

July 15, 2018 - Farewell service for Rev. Jordan J. Scott

November 4, 2018 - Pastor John L. Yost III installed as Interim Pastor.

September 23, 2019 - Pastor Patrick R. Darnell installed as Interim Pastor.

January 5, 2020 - Pastor L. Yost III installed as Interim Pastor.

May 31, 2020 - Pastor Craig Abee's 1st Service (official installation postponed due to Covid-19)\

March 7, 2021 - Pastor Craig Abee was installed as Pastor at LWLC