Celebrating 100 Years of Health, Justice and Hope
Our roots date back to 1921 when Lutheran Compass Mission opened its doors in Tacoma. We had just weathered World War I and a global pandemic, and the mission was busy serving “down-and-out” members of the community. Lutherans in Portland launched a similar effort known as the Lutheran Welfare Society in 1926.
As human suffering escalated during the Great Depression in the 1930s and World War II in the 1940s, Lutherans continued to help vulnerable individuals and families. We also welcomed our first refugees from war-torn Eastern Europe as our new neighbors. Today, Lutheran Community Services Northwest is celebrating 100 years of health, justice and hope.
We are marking our historic milestone with stories, music and art that will appear throughout the year. We’ve launched this page to showcase these collections. Please check it often for updates.
LCS Northwest Through The Decades
The 1920s — Our agency began in 1921 as part of the Lutheran Compass Mission, serving “down and out” individuals and families in Tacoma, Washington. A few years later, in 1926, concerned Lutherans in Portland, Oregon, came together to start a similar outreach effort known as the Lutheran Welfare Association.
To learn more about our work throughout the past 100 years, check out our Annual Report and visit pages 4-5!
Centennial Feature
The next edition of our Centennial Series features donor Tom Bratvold of Spokane.
Tom was adopted through LCS Northwest, which began a legacy of partnership with our agency that has spanned generations. Click here to read the story!
Celebrate the past and support the future when you become a founding member of the Centennial Circle. Our vibrant and rich history is thanks to countless volunteers, staff members, and donors like you. Click here to read more and become part of that history today!