Our History

The story of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church began in the fall of 1976, when exploratory work started to establish a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) congregation in Fairmont, Minnesota. The first official worship service was held on January 6, 1978, led by Pastor Eugene Roecker of Butterfield, MN.

The congregation was officially organized in May 1978. In its earliest days, services were held in members’ homes. In October 1978, the congregation purchased its first church building, which was dedicated on November 12, 1978, with Pastor Roecker officiating.ll begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Pastoral Leadership

  • Pastor Eugene Roecker
    Served during the congregation's formation until 1979.

  • Pastor Robert Wilke
    Installed in 1979 as the first resident pastor; served until March 1984.

  • Pastor John Miller
    Served from 1984–1989.

  • Pastor Ralph Bauer
    Received a six-month call and served from fall 1989 to summer 1990.

  • Pastor Bradley J. Pearson
    Installed on June 24, 1990, and served until April 1996.

  • Pastor Daniel Balge
    Professor at MLC; served as vacancy pastor until July 1996.

  • Pastor David Waterstradt
    Installed on July 15, 1996; served until February 2005.

  • Pastor Darvin Raddatz
    Served as vacancy pastor from February to July 2005.

  • Pastor David Bendix
    Served from July 2005 to May 2013.

  • Pastor Bob Hellman
    Served during the 2013 vacancy.

A Season of Growth

It all begIn 2012, the congregation purchased 1.6 acres on Albion Avenue with plans to build a new church.

Later, in 2019, the congregation acquired and began renovating the former Salvation Army building at 114 E. Blue Earth Avenue. By October 2020, Shepherd of the Lakes had officially moved into this newly renovated worship space.

Recent Pastors

  • Pastor Peter Hagen
    Installed on July 14, 2013; served until summer 2018. Accepted a call to Maumee, Ohio.

  • Pastor Wesley Bruss
    Served during the 2018 vacancy.

  • Pastor Jason Zuehlke
    Installed on July 1, 2018; served until October 2022. Accepted a call to New Lisbon, WI.

  • Pastor Martin Lopahs
    Served as vacancy pastor from October 2022 to 2024.

  • Pastor David Carlovsky
    Completed the vacancy until July 2025.

  • Pastor Christopher Gorr
    Installed on July 13, 2025 and is currently serving our congregation.