At Word of God Lutheran Church for the Deaf, we celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2019. We thank God for working through this church and the people here for the past 50 years. We invite you to look at the timeline with some pictures and documents to remember people, events, and God’s work.

1938 Rev. Ernest Mappes traveled from Omaha, Nebraska, to Cedar Rapids to have worship services for the Deaf. Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, hosted these services.

Rev. Mappes (center) when he received the John of Beverly award in 1965.

1955 Rev. Victor Messenbring was the first resident pastor in Des Moines. He traveled regularly to Cedar Rapids, Mason City, Cedar Falls, Burlington and Rock Island, Illinois.

1969 Feb. 16, Rev. Quintin Quade was installed as the first pastor for the Deaf in Iowa District East. On Dec. 28, Word of God was officially incorporated as a congregation. The congregation met at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Preaching stations included Burlington, Dubuque, Monticello, Clinton, Muscatine, and Rock Island, Illinois.

Pastor Quintin Quade
Members in Cedar Rapids around 1970

1971 Nov. 10, Rev. Quade died after a sudden and brief battle with cancer. Vicar Richard Thompson from Trinity Lutheran Church learned sign language and served during the vacancy. Word of God still met for worship at Trinity during this time.

Vacancy Pastor Richard Thompson (you’ll see his name come up later, as he served several times as the vacancy pastor.)

1973 July 1, Rev. Allan Page was installed as the new pastor for Word of God. He served Cedar Rapids and the preaching stations of Burlington, Dubuque, and Rock Island.

Pastor Allan Page

1974 Word of God bought Oakland Church of the Nazarene at 1515 29th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. The dedication service was in September.

Waiting outside for the service to began.
The service began outside in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
The cross led the way into the church.
The dedication service.
The sign choir of Barbara Zimmerman, Viola Malcom and Carolyn Fuller.
There were actually two services that day – a dedication service in the morning and a service of praise in the afternoon, followed by a meal.

1976 Rev. Allan Page took a call to West Hartford, Conn. Rev. Richard Thompson from Trinity Lutheran Church served as the vacancy pastor.

1977 In September, Marion Van Manen was installed as a Lay Minister. He served until July 1981.

1981 Sept. 13, Rev. David Mueller was installed as the new pastor. Word of God had 99 baptized members and 73 communicant members.

Sunday School class.
Vacation Bible School, 1983.
Lay Leader Rickie Rowray, Pastor David Mueller, and Rev. LaVern Mass, 15th anniversary worship service.

1982 Word of God received a “Forward in Remembrance” grant to purchase videotape equipment. Worship services and Bible studies were taped and sent to the preaching stations. The preaching stations met in members’ homes to learn and worship together. The preaching stations at this time were Dubuque, Clinton, Quad Cities, Ottumwa, Burlington and Oelwein.

1986 Pastor Mueller accepted a call in March to serve the Deaf in Jackson, Mississippi. On June 29, Rev. Mike MacDonald was installed as the new pastor.

Pastor Mike MacDonald and family
Receiving new members.
Easter egg hunt

1987 June 25-28, Word of God hosted the International Lutheran Deaf Association (ILDA) convention. A committee of 20 members of the church worked hard to plan everything to perfection. 400 attendees enjoyed Christian fellowship, worship, learning, a trip to Amana, skits and more. (Somehow we don’t have ANY pictures of this!)

1994 Pastor MacDonald accepted a call to serve the Deaf in Charlotte, NC. In June, Roger Altenberger began serving Word of God for his one year vicarage.

1995 Aug. 13, Rev. Roger Altenberger (now graduated) was installed as the pastor of Word of God.

Pastor Roger and Kim Altenberger
In 1999, the building was added onto, providing ramps going up into the church or down into the basement.
The basement was also updated, making more room and better lighting.

1999 Aug. 1, Rev. Tim Eckert was installed as the second pastor for the Deaf in Iowa District East. He served primarily the Quad Cities, but also Burlington, Muscatine and Dubuque.

Pastor Tim Eckert’s installation in Davenport, Iowa.
Rickie Rowray entertaining kids at a Valentine’s party in Davenport.

2000 Pastor Altenberger accepted a call to become the synodical counselor for Deaf Ministry (the person who oversees Deaf Ministry for the LCMS). Rev. Tim Eckert served during the vacancy.

2001 June 17, Rev. Fred Leighty was installed as the pastor of Word of God.

Pastor Fred Leighty

2005 Pastor Leighty moved to Columbia City, Indiana. Pastor Eckert served during the vacancy.

2006 January 22, Rev. Mark Anderson was installed as the new pastor in Cedar Rapids.

Pastor Mark Anderson
Joint worship for members of Calvary Lutheran Church for the Deaf in Iowa District West and Word of God Lutheran Church for the Deaf in Iowa District East, with people coming from all over Iowa to worship, talk, eat, talk, play games, and talk some more.

2013 Pastor Anderson had to go on disability. Pastor Eckert served the vacancy.

2014 Nov. 9, Rev. Tim Eckert was installed as the pastor of Word of God, Cedar Rapids. From 1999-2014, there were two pastors serving the Deaf in the district. With Pastor Eckert’s installation, he was the sole pastor for the Deaf.

2019 Happy 50th Anniversary!

The cross leads the way in for worship.
The anniversary worship service.
Every celebration must have food!
Barbara Zimmerman (founding member), Timothy Quade (son of founding pastor Rev. Quintin Quade), and Pastor Eckert