Diverse, Urban & Historic

The original building including our sanctuary and signature green steeple was built in 1886 by Swedish immigrants. Originally named Swedish Lutheran Church, which welcomed people seeking refuge and a place where they could worship authentically and call home.

Not far away, another group of Norwegian immigrants founded a Norwegian Lutheran Church.

As the East Village continued to grow and change, so did the congregations. Swedish Lutheran, as it became more varied in diversity, became First Lutheran Church, and the Norwegian Lutheran Church became Central Lutheran Church. Both congregations had a long history of welcoming others by sponsoring refugees and immigrants over the decades.

In 2002, these churches merged to form Capitol Hill Lutheran Church. Since then, we have continued a history of welcome. We are always being made new by our rich diversity and unique histories.

With our long memory of what it means to be truly welcoming, we know that it takes a village to be and share the Body of Christ.