Church History
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Brentwood, Missouri, was founded on October 30, 1931, by six Brentwood families, with some assistance from Christ Lutheran Church in Webster Groves and Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood. O.J. Klinkermann had been called as the congregation’s first pastor, and was ordained and installed in August of 1931.
In November of that year a loan from the LCMS Western District made it possible for the new congregation to plan the move from a member’s spare room and to build a small church on the corner of Brentwood and Rosalie. The cornerstone was laid on January 24, 1932, marking the start of the growing congregation’s life at that site.
In 1943, Pastor Klinkermann accepted another call and Pastor Theodore Schroeder was called, beginning a 22-year relationship with Mount Calvary. The congregation prospered and grew in Christ until more space was needed. So, in 1951, a much larger (and unusual) property was purchased. Located on Litzsinger Road, it was known as Van Horn’s Farm, and had once been a prominent local restaurant and nightclub. Much work was needed to repair, renovate, and convert the existing structure on the property into a church.
By 1964 it became apparent once again that more space was needed. Groundbreaking for the new church building took place on April 12, 1964, adjacent to the old structure. Sadly, Pastor Schroeder died suddenly in February, just weeks before the dedication of the new building on April 4, 1965.
Pastor Floyd Spree was called to Mount Calvary in July of 1966 and faithfully served the congregation for the next 28 years. The congregation continued to grow and serve Christ in many ways. One of these was joining four other Lutheran congregations in operating Christ Community Lutheran School. In addition, Mount Calvary opened a preschool in 1974 as an outreach to the community. Today, the Center for Early Childhood Education brings the saving love of Christ to approximately 100 children from the community.
Pastor Spree retired in June of 1994 and he was succeeded by Pastor Darrell Zimmerman, who had been called to Mount Calvary as Associate Pastor. He became the called pastor of the congregation in January of 1994 and served in that capacity until October of 2010, when he entered the Intentional Interim Pastor Ministry of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. At that time, Mount Calvary was served faithfully by two member vacancy pastors, Rev. Vern Koehlinger and Rev. Kyle Castens.
On June 10, 2012, Pastor Karl William Hanke IV was installed as Mount Calvary's full-time pastor. He is the fifth pastor Mount Calvary has had since its inception in 1931. With boldness and the help of the Holy Spirit, Mount Calvary continues to share the good new of Jesus Christ to its neighbors near and far, finding ways to be extraordinary servants in His kingdom.
In November of that year a loan from the LCMS Western District made it possible for the new congregation to plan the move from a member’s spare room and to build a small church on the corner of Brentwood and Rosalie. The cornerstone was laid on January 24, 1932, marking the start of the growing congregation’s life at that site.
In 1943, Pastor Klinkermann accepted another call and Pastor Theodore Schroeder was called, beginning a 22-year relationship with Mount Calvary. The congregation prospered and grew in Christ until more space was needed. So, in 1951, a much larger (and unusual) property was purchased. Located on Litzsinger Road, it was known as Van Horn’s Farm, and had once been a prominent local restaurant and nightclub. Much work was needed to repair, renovate, and convert the existing structure on the property into a church.
By 1964 it became apparent once again that more space was needed. Groundbreaking for the new church building took place on April 12, 1964, adjacent to the old structure. Sadly, Pastor Schroeder died suddenly in February, just weeks before the dedication of the new building on April 4, 1965.
Pastor Floyd Spree was called to Mount Calvary in July of 1966 and faithfully served the congregation for the next 28 years. The congregation continued to grow and serve Christ in many ways. One of these was joining four other Lutheran congregations in operating Christ Community Lutheran School. In addition, Mount Calvary opened a preschool in 1974 as an outreach to the community. Today, the Center for Early Childhood Education brings the saving love of Christ to approximately 100 children from the community.
Pastor Spree retired in June of 1994 and he was succeeded by Pastor Darrell Zimmerman, who had been called to Mount Calvary as Associate Pastor. He became the called pastor of the congregation in January of 1994 and served in that capacity until October of 2010, when he entered the Intentional Interim Pastor Ministry of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. At that time, Mount Calvary was served faithfully by two member vacancy pastors, Rev. Vern Koehlinger and Rev. Kyle Castens.
On June 10, 2012, Pastor Karl William Hanke IV was installed as Mount Calvary's full-time pastor. He is the fifth pastor Mount Calvary has had since its inception in 1931. With boldness and the help of the Holy Spirit, Mount Calvary continues to share the good new of Jesus Christ to its neighbors near and far, finding ways to be extraordinary servants in His kingdom.