First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Calgary
The First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Calgary is a Christian congregation in Calgary, Alberta, affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination[2]. While specific founding details of this congregation are not fully documented in available records, Calgary’s Lutheran history traces back to early Scandinavian and German immigrant communities.

Early Lutheran Presence in Calgary
Lutheran worship in Calgary began as early as 1899 with intermittent services organized by Norwegian Lutheran pastor H.C. Wik, who chartered the Eau Claire Scandinavian Lutheran Congregation in 1900[3]. By 1913, the First English Lutheran Church (later Mount Calvary) was established[1], reflecting growing Lutheran activity. These early congregations often gathered in homes or borrowed spaces until dedicated church buildings were constructed[3][5].

20th-Century Development
While direct records of First Evangelical Lutheran Church’s early years are sparse, Lutheran congregations in Calgary faced challenges such as limited resources and pastoral shortages. Early pastors like Magne Schillaas (1921–1925) and A.H. Thorsen (1914–1916) served the city’s Norwegian Lutheran community[3], suggesting a network of Lutheran groups that may have contributed to later mergers or reorganizations. The ELCIC’s formation in 1986 through the merger of Lutheran bodies[2] likely influenced the congregation’s structure and affiliations.

Modern Era
As a registered nonprofit (BN: 118918242RR0001), the church participates in Lutheran missions and ecumenical initiatives under the ELCIC’s framework[2]. Calgary hosted the ELCIC’s 2023 Special Convention[2], highlighting the city’s ongoing role in Lutheran governance. The congregation’s activities remain rooted in Lutheran liturgy, though specific contemporary practices are not detailed in public records.

Historical Significance
First Evangelical Lutheran Church contributes to Calgary’s religious landscape alongside historic congregations like the Norwegian Lutheran Church (renamed from Eau Claire) and First English Lutheran Church, reflecting the city’s diverse Lutheran heritage[1][3][5].