New stove at Libby's Christ Lutheran Church helps feed the hungry

For more than two decades, Christ Lutheran Church in Libby has been serving the community free home-cooked meals to hundreds of residents and families. 

When the stove they used to cook these meals in became unreliable and at times leaked gas, one of the church's volunteers and members reached out to LOR. 

“We feed 100 to 120 people at our monthly dinner and the stove we had just wasn't up to the task, so that's when I reached out to LOR and asked if this is a project they could help with,” volunteer Bonita Duncan said. 

LOR approved the $7,498 grant to buy the new propane range and hood and have it installed.

Duncan said the new stove is, "working wonderfully."

She also explained that the new stove allows other groups and churches in the community to use it as well, including the ladies from the Latter Day Saints, who served about 106 people using the stove.

The new range will ensure the church's Christ’s Kitchen Community Meal Program will continue for many years.

Christ Lutheran Church is located West Larch Street. It is celebrating its 110th anniversary in Libby. According to its history, it was originally named the Scandinavian Lutheran Church and opened its doors in Libby in the fall of 1914.

The rich heritage and many areas of worship, fellowship and service began when Serina Knudson, the wife of John Knudson, made a request to Rev. Skindlov of Bonners Ferry, Idaho to baptize her son Karl in the year 1913. Because Serina and other women immigrants of the Libby community wanted to be able to worship regularly, Rev. Skindlov agreed to meet with the group once a month at the Knudson home to hold an afternoon and evening service in Norwegian under the condition they raised enough money to cover his expenses.

The following year, on Sept. 8, 1914, Rev. Skindlov came to the Knudson home and called the Scandinavian Lutheran Church Ladies Aid for the first church service.

Eight years later in October 1922, the purchase of a building at 1207 Utah Avenue became the primary meeting place for unity, fellowship and worship.

In 1925, with the collaboration of the congregation, the name of the church changed from Scandinavian Lutheran Church to First Lutheran Church. Then, 35 years later, the church became a part of the American Lutheran Church.

When construction of the current building, located at 200 West Larch Street, began in the 1960s, the name of the church changed once again to Christ Lutheran Church to reflect the many symbols of Christ in the new sanctuary. Finally, in 1988, Christ Lutheran Church became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

For more information, see their Facebook page or call 293-3705.

Their worship services are held each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. During Advent and Lent, they also meet on Wednesday evenings. The church has in-person worship and is streamed to the "live" page of their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@CLCLibby/streams.