Our Story
1956 - Present
Our Saviour Lutheran Church was organized and sponsored by the Virginia Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America. Pastor Kenneth Carbaugh was the church’s organizing pastor and served as its pastor for 53 years.
As a mission congregation founded and infused with members from St. John’s Lutheran and First Lutheran Norfolk, it first met at the Baylake Pines Elementary school. In 1956, with its official charter the congregation built and met in its first church facility at 4200 Shore drive.
In 1978, the current sanctuary was built and the former sanctuary was designated as the fellowship hall. Following Pastor Carbaugh’s retirement, the fellowship hall was renamed Carbaugh Hall to honor his ministry.
Pastor Kenneth R. Carbaugh
1956 - 2011
In February 1956 Pastor Kenneth R. Carbaugh accepted the call to form a congregation in Baylake Pines, Virginia Beach by President J Luther Mauney of the Virginia Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America. Pastor Ken served as mission developer from April 1956 to February 1957. The mission church was first called “The Chapel by the Lake”. The congregation was organized holding their first services on Sunday October 21, 1956 with 121 baptized members. Pastor Ken retired after 53 years of service with OSLC. Pastor Ken joined the church triumphant on January 30, 2018.
Pastor Harry Griffith
2011 - 2022
The Rev. Harry Griffith was called as OSLC’s second pastor in 2011 to lead us in worship for 11 years. Pastor Griffith is a retired US Navy Chaplin who has the distinction of being the first African American senior class president at California Lutheran College. Wartburg Theological Seminary presented him with the Living Loehe award as one of their distinguished alumnus. He retired from OSLC Sunday June 12, 2022. He now serves with the ELCA VA Synod as dean of the Tidewater Conference.
Pastor Lucas Cochran
2024 - Present
Our Saviour Lutheran Church called ELCA Rostered Minister Lucas Cochran to be its 3rd pastor in 67 years. Lucas’s first service preaching at OSLC was on Sunday December 17, 2023. He was elected by a congregational vote the following Sunday. Lucas accepted the Call, joined OSLC, and held his first service of Word and Sacrament on February 4, 2024. Pastor Lucas has a Master of Divinity from the United Lutheran Seminary and received a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University. Click here to see pictures of Pastor Lucas’ Ordination.
Our Mission
Our Saviour Lutheran Church together in Jesus Christ is freed by grace to live faithfully, witness boldly and serve the community joyfully.