History of Christ the King Lutheran Church

In 1967, the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) determined that Great Falls, Virginia had potential as a mission site for a Lutheran congregation and purchased two acres of land on Georgetown Pike (across the pike from the library).

In 1981, Pastor Thomas Dudley was called as our mission developer and went door to door in order to generate interest (and to find the Lutherans!). A first group meeting was held on September 13, 1981, and when the number of interested households grew to about 30, we held our first worship service at the Great Falls Grange. Christ the King was chartered by the LCA on November 22, 1981. When the charter was signed, 198 members—adults and children—were registered.

During the first few years, we worshiped at the Grange. Long-time members remember a large rolling crate in which were stored all the hymnals and other items needed for worship. When covered with linens, that box was also the communion table.

When the time came to think about a permanent home, a feasibility analysis determined that our original lot was not viable; it was too small and had drainage problems. Providentially, a member of the congregation knew a Mrs. Gouldman, who “always wanted to live next door to a church.” She had five acres of land on Georgetown Pike about a mile west of the village. The sanctuary, offices, and fellowship hall were dedicated in 1985. Two years later, we bought an additional five acres from Mrs. Gouldman. In 1992 a parsonage was built on part of that land.

The congregation thrived and grew in worship, learning, fellowship, and service. In 1991, the Christ the King started the Mother’s Day Out program, both to give respite to parents and to provide children with social interaction in a safe, spiritual atmosphere. Mother’s Day Out has since grown into the King’s Kids Preschool, a five-day-a-week accredited pre-school program.

Pastor Dudley left Christ the King in 1992. After a two-year period with interim and short-term pastors, Paul Gysan was called to serve Christ the King. What followed was nineteen years of stability and growth. A second and third worship service were added. Learning, youth, music, and service ministries grew. And our facility became a community resource, hosting scouting, 12-step programs, concerts, and other community groups. On September 9, 2001, a new education wing and expanded kitchen were dedicated. In 2004-2009, a second pastor, Scott McAnally was called to serve.

Since 2009, Christ the King has been served by two pastors, John Bradford (2011-2015) and Hank Langknecht (2017-present). The congregation continues to focus on worship, learning, service, and fellowship.