WHO WE ARE

The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer has been worshiping and serving this community for more than 70 years. Following is a history of how we came to be and the ministries that make us who we are today. 

The History of Redeemer

In December 1955, a dedicated group of Lutherans came together to establish a new congregation in McLean, Virginia. On January 22, 1956, the name Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer was chosen. Under the leadership of Pastor Alvin Kuhn, the congregation began worshiping in the Old Langley Methodist Church at the corner of Chain Bridge Road and Old Georgetown Pike.

In October 1961, a new church building at the corner of Chain Bridge Road and Westmoreland Street was dedicated to the glory of God. Worship services were held in what is now Fellowship Hall until the completion of the current sanctuary in 1968.

As the congregation grew, so did its facilities. In 1980, an expanded Fellowship Hall, a new kitchen, and additional classroom space were dedicated. The Keillor Wing, featuring Parents’ Hall, the current Preschool, and a remodeled kitchen, was dedicated in 2001. The music suites followed in 2004.

In 2011, the expanded narthex was dedicated, including Crossroads and Prayer and Care, along with a refurbished sanctuary, an updated choir loft, and the reinstallation of the organ purchased in 2008.

Most recently, in 2026, the office and classroom wings were renovated. Building improvements continue with plans for a columbarium and a natural play area, reflecting the congregation’s ongoing commitment to serving its members and the wider community for generations to come.

Through the years of change and growth Lutheran Church of the Redeemer remains focused on the tenets of the faith, high-quality worship, outreach, and sharing Christ’s love with the greatest number of people. 

Our Ministries

Redeemer serves our Community by providing meaningful worship in both traditional and contemporary styles. We value music as part of our ministry and support a professional music ministry with adult and children's choirs, bell choir, and professional special programs throughout the church year. Our Christmas Living Nativity and Concert are well attended by both our congregation and the community around us. 

Our mission to share Christ’s love with the greatest number of people, means that we serve locally, nationally, and internationally. Some of the ways we do this are through: 

• Food insufficiency programs and support, including a local on-site little food pantry and Rise Against Hunger where hundreds of community volunteers come together in November in our gym to package more than 250,000 meals. Those meals are sent across the globe to those in greatest need.
   
• Christian education for children and adults from kindergarten age to confirmation for 7th and 8th graders and Bagels and Bibles for our high school youth. Adults participate in various bible studies, discussion on contemporary topics and religion, and faith groups.
   
• Partnerships with groups such as Partner for Surgery dedicated to improving the health and well-being for patients in remote, underserved areas of Guatemala; Homestretch, a local nonprofit that addresses the root causes of homelessness for each family it serves and collects donations of kitchen supplies, school supplies, and other items; Britepaths, another local nonprofit providing financial assistance, financial education, and workforce development services in addition to food items for clients in Northern Virginia.
   
• Prayer shawls and quilting ministries that provide comfort for those that are ill, are grieving a loss, or are recovering from a personal tragedy. 
   
• Welcoming people to our services and special events as they join us for worship or celebration of all kinds.
   
• Youth programming where our young people participate in various mission projects throughout the year and take a week each summer to travel to a ministry site to serve a community in need, engage in worship together, and practice living out their faith.

 We welcome all to our space and to be in community with us. At Redeemer, we give praise and honor to Jesus Christ who calls us to love unconditionally.  We embrace the wonder of God’s creation and preach a gospel of grace for all.  We invite people of all races, ages, backgrounds, orientations, identities, abilities, and family configurations to come, worship, and be a part of our life and ministry.