In the summer of 2002 several families who were members of Faith Lutheran Church, Plano, met to discuss the possibility of starting a LCMS congregation in Wylie. Their first informational meeting took place on June 29th, 2002. There were 35 people in attendance. With the blessing and help of Faith – Plano, it was decided to start a mission in Wylie and to name the church “Faith Lutheran” in honor of the mother church.
The first worship service was held on Sunday, August 18th at the Summit building at 641 W. Brown Street in Wylie. There were 90 people present including many from Plano. Rev. Michael Frick, associate pastor and mission developer of Faith Lutheran Church, preached and served the new mission in Wylie. Area churches provided them with a keyboard, amplifier, speakers, portable altar, pulpit, lectern, and communion ware. By the end of 2002, the average worship attendance was 41.
During the early part of 2003, the leaders at Wylie were looking for land. On May 18th, the Voters’ Assembly of Faith Lutheran Church passed a resolution to purchase the Turner property at 615 Parker Road and the Espinoza property at 609 Parker Road in Wylie. Together the properties net 6 1/2 acres, and cost $275,000. A loan from Faith’s Fund Trust was taken out in order to purchase this land. Contributions also came in from members to cover other expenses, and a “Wylie Building Fund” was established.
In the summer of 2004, an architect developed plans to build a 7,000 square foot building. Later that year, an $800,000 loan from the Faith Fund Trust was approved for the construction of a worship facility. Also, a new board was added to Faith’s Church Council — the Board of Wylie Mission.
In early 2005, several people from the church tore down the old home that existed on the property. Then, on Sunday, February 6th, 2005, the congregation gathered in the rain to break ground for the new building. In May of that year they obtained a building permit from the city of Wylie. Work began. Dirt was brought in, the soil was stabilized, piers and utilities were installed, the slab was poured and the metal frame went up. Also, during this year, those attending the Wylie mission approved a resolution asking the congregation to assign Pastor Frick to serve them. A special worship service to this effect took place on Sunday, August 21st.
On Saturday, November 11th, 2006, the cornerstone was laid after the regular workday and a tree was planted to mark this milestone. The “Men of Wylie” have spent nearly every Saturday at the property working on the new building while the women provided lunch. Most of the finish out work was done by volunteer labor.
Throughout 2007, work on the building continued, especially on the walls, doors, ceilings, lights, air vents, and fire sprinklers. Members built a retaining wall, installed an irrigation system and did a good bit of landscaping. However, the south wall had to be rebuilt due to water damage, sidewalks had to be replaced, and other delays occurred. Yet many special contributions came in to help with the building expenses, as well as monies from the sale of property in Flower Mound. The place of temporary worship moved from the Summit building to Hunter’s Place downtown, and then to Birmingham Elementary.
By the end of 2008, things were coming together and final inspections were being made. Finally, on Epiphany Day, January 6th, 2009, after many years of hard work, the city of Wylie gave their approval for occupancy. The first worship service in the new building was held on Sunday, January 11th, with Rev. James Woelmer officiating. There were 115 in attendance.
On August 18, 2020, Faith Lutheran Church officially became an independent congregation in the Texas District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. We will be forever thankful for the support and encouragement of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas during these intervening years. The journey has been exhausting at times. There were many unanticipated obstacles and challenges. Yet, God has remained faithful, and He always provided the means to accomplish the task. May the Gospel continue to be preached and His Sacraments administered in this place for the sake of saving faith in Christ. To God be all the glory!