First Lutheran has grown today to become a regional church of more than 2,000 ministers from throughout the area who are committed to a spiritual renewal and service to the community modeled after the early church with caring small groups, outreach programs, and maturing discipleship.  Getting to where we are today was an interesting adventure.  Our humble beginnings in the community go back 150 years. 

First Lutheran Church traces its origins in Cedar Rapids back to January 1856. At that time, Pastor H. F. Ealy walked from Iowa City to serve the Lutheran Christians in this area. He organized a congregation of 27 that met for worship in the homes of members for nearly 12 years. In 1868, Pastor Cephas Baird and 30 charter members organized First English Evangelical Lutheran Church and constructed a building at Third Avenue and Third Street (near Guaranty Bank today). From its start, the language of worship was English and diverse ethnicity was First Lutheran's intention, unlike most Lutheran parishes of northern European extraction.

By 1884 the young congregation had built a new house of worship away from the congestion of downtown Cedar Rapids, at Second Street SE near 4th Avenue, and voted to become self-sustaining after 16 years of receiving mission support. With growth and more downtown congestion, in 1911 the congregation decided to relocate out in the country to its present location of Third Avenue SE at 10th Street. The transept of the present nave was that original structure.

Over the years, a dynamic children's education, diversity in worship styles, quality musical programming, and international missions have become First Lutheran's traditions. Establishing new area Lutheran congregations, most notably Hope and St. Andrews, and sending its members to enter into the fellowship of churches in the greater metropolitan area has also been First Lutheran's legacy. Senior Pastor Dan Kolander was a leader in developing the Ecumenical Community Center to maximize aid resources. In 1995, the congregation made the decision not to relocate, but to add 20,000 square feet of new education, music rehearsal and meeting space. In 2007, a substantial renovation to the Luther Fellowship Center and kitchen took place. Our kitchen saw the addidtion of more pantry space for food storage, a new gas range, dish drying racks, a stainless steel food prep island and new spaces for food serving and returning used dishes. The fellowship hall was greatly enhanced for better hospitality with presentation and sound equipment built in, restrooms added and a total aesthetic overhaul.  Today we are centered in Christ, we are called, gathered, transformed, and sent in Jesus name in relevant and personal ministries to others in Eastern Iowa and throughout the world!