Creator's 1987 History Celebration
January -The Before Times
Way back in June of 1978 a request was made to the Inter-
Lutheran Commission on Church Development to consider new
ministry development in the Sunnyside-Clackamas area. At that
time the ELCA did not exist but over the next 9 years the three
Lutheran denominations that were similar in theology and practice
(The American Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Church in America and
the Evangelical Lutheran Church) were in the process of forming the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. With all of that going on, the
re-forming church body eventually got around to talking about a church
in the Clackamas area.
In September, 1986 a local area planning session was held at Milwaukie
Lutheran Church to address the idea of creating a new congregation in
the Clackamas area. Rev. Paul Swanson had suggested that the location of
an approx. 4 acre site across the street from Sunnyside Elementary School
would be a good location for a church.
In December, 1986 the site at 132nd and Sunnyside, a former filbert orchard,
was purchased .
February
As the year leading up to the first worship service of our church in December
1987 progressed, the synod began looking for a Mission Developer Pastor to
start working on creation of a new faith community in the Sunnyside area. At
that time Sunnyside was a two-lane country road surrounded by small plots
of farm land. The rapid development of the area was many years away.
The land at 132nd and Sunnyside Road, which was a filbert orchard for many
years, had been purchased by the synod for the site of a new Lutheran
church. At the same time, nationally, the ALC, LCA and ELC were in the pro-
cess of combining forces to become the ELCA.
Now that the land was purchased, the synod began a search for a pastor who
wanted to start a church ‘from scratch’. This is a daunting task, as you can
imagine and it takes a special set of gifts to be a Mission Developer.
Way back in June of 1978 a request was made to the Inter-
Lutheran Commission on Church Development to consider new
ministry development in the Sunnyside-Clackamas area. At that
time the ELCA did not exist but over the next 9 years the three
Lutheran denominations that were similar in theology and practice
(The American Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Church in America and
the Evangelical Lutheran Church) were in the process of forming the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. With all of that going on, the
re-forming church body eventually got around to talking about a church
in the Clackamas area.
In September, 1986 a local area planning session was held at Milwaukie
Lutheran Church to address the idea of creating a new congregation in
the Clackamas area. Rev. Paul Swanson had suggested that the location of
an approx. 4 acre site across the street from Sunnyside Elementary School
would be a good location for a church.
In December, 1986 the site at 132nd and Sunnyside, a former filbert orchard,
was purchased .
February
As the year leading up to the first worship service of our church in December
1987 progressed, the synod began looking for a Mission Developer Pastor to
start working on creation of a new faith community in the Sunnyside area. At
that time Sunnyside was a two-lane country road surrounded by small plots
of farm land. The rapid development of the area was many years away.
The land at 132nd and Sunnyside Road, which was a filbert orchard for many
years, had been purchased by the synod for the site of a new Lutheran
church. At the same time, nationally, the ALC, LCA and ELC were in the pro-
cess of combining forces to become the ELCA.
Now that the land was purchased, the synod began a search for a pastor who
wanted to start a church ‘from scratch’. This is a daunting task, as you can
imagine and it takes a special set of gifts to be a Mission Developer.
May
In 1987, the Synod was searching for a Pastor-Developer as they purchased land for
a new Lutheran church on Sunnyside Road. They also purchased a parish home on
the corner of SE 126th and Ashley to house the new pastor and his family.
Pastor David Hungerford was called to begin mission development in spring of 1987.
He developed a brochure and arranged to move down from Lyndon, Washington
where he had been serving. Creator Lutheran Church was beginning to take shape.
Creator’s Land and the Edward Ott Barn to the east. Our land belonged to Edward
Ott who also owned the general store and Mill on the opposite corner (now the cake
store, clothing store and Gloriaz)
In 1987, the Synod was searching for a Pastor-Developer as they purchased land for
a new Lutheran church on Sunnyside Road. They also purchased a parish home on
the corner of SE 126th and Ashley to house the new pastor and his family.
Pastor David Hungerford was called to begin mission development in spring of 1987.
He developed a brochure and arranged to move down from Lyndon, Washington
where he had been serving. Creator Lutheran Church was beginning to take shape.
Creator’s Land and the Edward Ott Barn to the east. Our land belonged to Edward
Ott who also owned the general store and Mill on the opposite corner (now the cake
store, clothing store and Gloriaz)
On December 4, 1988, the ELCA officially recognized Creator as a congregation.
In September of 1990 Creator Lutheran Church called the Rev. Chris Nolte as pastor to the congregation. Worship continued in the Sunnyside Elementary gymnasium.
Construction of the current building began in July of 1993. The sign on the property read, "If we build it, will you come?" On June 5th of 1994, people did indeed come, and the building was dedicated to God's glory.
In January of 1999, the Rev. Dayle Askey was called as pastor to the congregation following the interim ministry of Rev. Susan Granata. Pastor Dayle served until January, 2016.
In January of 2009, Creator celebrated its "All are Welcome" philosophy by ratifying an explicit declaration of welcome and becoming a Reconciling In Christ congregation, openly and actively welcoming people of all gender identities. Find out the details of our story on our Reconciling In Christ page.
In September of 1990 Creator Lutheran Church called the Rev. Chris Nolte as pastor to the congregation. Worship continued in the Sunnyside Elementary gymnasium.
Construction of the current building began in July of 1993. The sign on the property read, "If we build it, will you come?" On June 5th of 1994, people did indeed come, and the building was dedicated to God's glory.
In January of 1999, the Rev. Dayle Askey was called as pastor to the congregation following the interim ministry of Rev. Susan Granata. Pastor Dayle served until January, 2016.
In January of 2009, Creator celebrated its "All are Welcome" philosophy by ratifying an explicit declaration of welcome and becoming a Reconciling In Christ congregation, openly and actively welcoming people of all gender identities. Find out the details of our story on our Reconciling In Christ page.
In September 2017 Creator called the Rev. Ray McKechnie as pastor following the retirement of Pastor Dayle and the interim ministry of Rev. Michelle Manicke.
With the sudden death of Pastor Ray McKechnie in March of 2020 Creator was grateful for the interim ministry of Rev. Janell Monk, a group of exceptional supply pastors and our Bridge Pastor Steve Carlson until July, 2023. Now Creator is in ministry together with our newly called Pastor Emillie Binja, and we are all looking forward to the new opportunities. To learn more about Pastor Emillie follow this link.
The church continues to thrive, serving all ages and rejoicing in the blessings of our God.