School History

As the school grew, there was the need for more classrooms.
Groundbreaking for the new Education Addition was held on
May 18, 1997.

James Landskroener was installed as Our Shepherd’s second
principal on August 20, 2000. In May 2001, Our Shepherd
graduated its first 8th grade class.

Since that time Our Shepherd has continued to grow. Nancy
Hebel was installed as Interim Principal in August, 2008 and
accepted the call to become the Principal in June, 2009. She
leads a staff of nine full-time and four part-time teachers.

In July 2006, the congregation purchased 45 acres of property
1.5 miles west of the first church and school location. With
God's loving guidance we built our beautiful new church and
school and dedicated it to the Glory of God on February 21,
2010.

The best way to really know Our Shepherd is to experience it first
hand. We invite you to visit the School and share all that is
special about Our Shepherd.

In 1971 a group of 50 families separated from Grace
Lutheran Church in response to internal difficulties.
Instead of joining other congregations they came together
and formed a new church. Initially, it was called Lutheran
Church Westside Mission. Arrangements were made for the
group to worship at the facilities of Maplewood School. The
first service was held on Sunday, April 18, 1971.

On July 25, 1971, the steadily growing group of families
chose the name “Our Shepherd Lutheran Church” for its
own. From this point on, the congregation began to focus
its energy on building a new church facility.

By early 1972 the congregation had formed a building
committee and was busy planning for the construction of a
church facility. A five-acre piece of land at 9101 West 10th
Street had been purchased as the future site for the new
building. On Sunday, January 6, 1974, the house of worship
was dedicated.

The growth of Our Shepherd made it necessary in 1986 to
undertake an extensive building program. Classrooms,
offices, and support facilities were expanded. The
expanded facilities allowed for the beginning of a
preschool ministry and the planning of a Christian Day
School. On June 6, 1993, Selma Kluender was installed as
the first Principal of Our Shepherd Lutheran School. In
September 1993 first grade began, and one grade has been
added each year thereafter.