Our Story

In September of 1968, twenty-three people met with Pastor Donald Cario to discuss what was to become known as Pilgrim Lutheran Church.  The first worship service was held in November of 1968 at the Atherton High School Gymnasium.  Shortly thereafter, ground breaking for a new sanctuary began in late 1969.  The new church was officially competed in June of 1970.  Pastor Cario continued to serve Pilgrim until September 1976.

In January 1977, Pastor Daniel Lochner was installed as the pastor of Pilgrim, and served until April 1979.

In 1979, a Preschool was established at Pilgrim, which closed in 2014.  Over the thirty-five years of service, the Preschool was blessed to be led by several teachers, including Kathy Baird, Marty Van Camp, and Sandy Wonderly.

In January 1980, Pastor David Heinert was installed as the pastor of Pilgrim, and served until late 1988.

In 1990, Pastor Daniel Wonderly was installed.  Pastor Dan faithfully served Pilgrim for nearly 29 years.  

In the Fall of 1998 a new fellowship and education wing was added to meet the needs of the congregation. 

In 2018, Pilgrim celebrated its 50th anniversary.

In January of 2019, Pastor Dan accepted a call to Faith Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.  Pastor Ron Nieman served Pilgrim as vacancy Pastor until June of 2019, when Pastor Larry Warsinski was installed as Pilgrim's Interim Pastor. 

On August 30th, 2020 Pastor Mark Matheny was installed as full-time pastor. We welcome and give thanks for Pastor Mark and look forward to receiving Word and Sacrament from him as well as finding new ways to reach out to our community with the love of Christ under his guidance!

- Today, Pilgrim's church family continues to faithfully serve the Lord and the Burton community.  We seek to meet the needs of local residents, and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pages