On August 3, 1952 the Rev. Arthur Senn was installed as the first pastor of Grace Lutheran Church. The first house of worship and educational facility located at 406 Summit Street, at a cost of $7,500, was dedicated on October 4,1953. That building still stands at the corner of Summit Avenue and Border Street and is owned by the University of Texas at Arlington. Pastor Senn accepted a call to Ohio in 1956. The congregation then called its second Pastor, the Rev. Melvin Cordes, who was installed on October 7, 1956. At the congregation’s fifth anniversary in 1957 the congregation numbered 276 baptized members, of which 159 were communicants. After two years of study a decision was made of purchase 13 acres at 210 West Park Row for $25,000. On January 6, 1963 our present house of worship was dedicated to the Glory of God. At that time, the communicant membership was 240.

A new ministry began in 1967 with the opening of a kindergarten, taught by Mrs. Ruth Brown. Through the efforts of Grace congregation, campus ministry was begun at The University of Texas at Arlington and the Rev. James Luecke was installed as the first Lutheran Campus pastor at U.T.A. in November of 1969. Midweek School began at Grace in September, 1970.

After fifteen years of faithful service, the Pastor Cordes accepted a call to Messiah Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas and on August 29, 1971, the Rev. David B. Joeckel was installed as the third pastor of Grace congregation. The congregation then numbered 500 communicant members.

On March 31, 1974, construction began on an Education Building and upon completion was dedicated to the Glory of God on November 3, 1974. In 1975 our Mother’s Day Out program began with Mrs. Marge Wilhelm serving as the Director, and an enrollment of 40 preschoolers. Mrs. Marilyn Roberts served as the second Director of the Mother’s Day Out program from 1975-1986.

Also, in 1975, Grace congregation assisted in the founding of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in southwest Arlington. Since that time, Grace has also provided assistance in the founding of St. John Lutheran Church in Mansfield and Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Southeast Arlington.

Ms. Mary Irrer was called to be our first Director of Education and Ms. Gwen Hinrichs was our first Parish Worker in July of 1977. Grace acknowledged the Twenty-fifth Anniversary in 1977 with a festive celebration.

In 1979, the Rev. Timothy Steenbock was installed as the Associate Pastor and Mr. David Ricke was installed as Director of Christian Education. The Family Life Center, which included meeting rooms, classrooms, a gymnasium, offices and a kitchen, was dedicated in 1981.

In August of 1982, Ms. Ruby St. Martin and Ms. Grace Bohling were installed as the first teachers of our Christian Day School and that ministry continues today. The school began with 25 students. On August 28, 1983 Ms.Teresa Byrne and Mrs. Debbie Pierce joined the teaching staff. In August of 1984 Ms. Susan Mittelsteadt was installed as a teacher in the Christian Day School.

In the spring of 1985, Mr. David Ricke, the Director of Christian Education, accepted a call to Nebraska. Mr. Jeffrey Fick joined the teaching staff on August 25, 1985. On August 10, 1986, Mr. William Johnson was installed as the Minister of Youth. Our Mother’s Day Out had grown through the years and now numbered 120 children. Mrs. Vickie Gunthener served as the Director. On August 17, 1986 Michelle Raasch was installed as a teacher in the Christian Day School.

May 30, 1987 Grace Congregation celebrated the 35th anniversary. Baptized members numbered 1876 and communicant members totaled 1369. In addition to teaching school Ms. Ruby St. Martin served as Principal of the Day School. On August 7, 1987. Mr. Michael Fuchs accepted our call to serve as Principal of Grace Lutheran School. There were 92 Christian Day School students at this time.

In 1989, Associate Pastor, the Rev. Tim Steenbock accepted a Call to Oklahoma and after a yearlong vacancy, in January of 1990, the Rev. Rudy Herbrich accepted a Call to serve as Associate Pastor of Grace. Mr. William Johnson, Director of Children's and Youth Ministries accepted a call to serve in Collierville, Tennessee.

A "Vision 2000" Committee began working in 1989 to develop a master plan for Grace congregation and project future needs. In May of 1991 this committee recommended the appointment of a Structure Committee, relating to the improvement of our church governance, and a Building Committee, with the assignment of employing an architect to develop a Master Plan for our church property.

The Structure Committee completed its study, with acceptance of new bylaws and the election of a Board of Directors. The governing body is comprised of 10 elected members to serve on The Board of Directors and an elected Chairman of the Board. The voting members of the congregation elect this governing body.

On September 16, 1990 Grace began holding three worship services per Sunday with the second service being a Contemporary Service. Mrs. Susan Fuchs was the Director of Music, with Mrs. Terry Moore leading the music at the contemporary service. Mrs. Lou Anne Hoffman was the Director of Parish Education. Mrs. Connie Strand became the Director of Grace Lutheran Early Education (GLEE), formerly known as Mother’s Day Out, for the 1990-1991 school year and Mr. Jim Frerking was installed as Principal of Grace Lutheran School in August of 1990. Ms. Sherry Dahlke was Called to join the teaching staff.

In 1991 Susan Ostermann, Mark Trapp, James and Ardith Vandercook joined Grace Lutheran teaching staff as Called workers.

In 1992 Grace congregation added a Director of Business to the staff. Mr. Ed Bohm served as the Director for seven years, retiring in 1997. The current Business Director, Mr. Glynn Meissner, succeeded him. This position oversees the care of the campus and the management of finances. Ms. Heidi Stenfield and Ms. Gina Matthias accepted a Call to teach in Grace Lutheran School in the fall of 1992.

In 1992, the congregation had the opportunity to purchase 5.5 acres of land adjacent to the church property, along with a 19,000 square foot medical building. This purchase changed the design of the Master Plan. The decision was made to remodel the medical building for use as our Christian Day School and Sunday School. The $950,000 project was funded by pledges from our members. This included the purchase of the land, remodeling of the medical building and enlarging the existing narthex.

In 1993 Mr. Les Winkler accepted a Call as the Director of Youth and Growth Ministries, and Ms. Gina Matthias served as interim Youth Director. Ms. Julie Fenke and Mrs. Carrie Reber accepted Calls to join the Grace Lutheran School teaching staff.

Mr. Tim Merritt and Mr. Dallas Collever accepted Calls to serve in the Christian Day School in 1994. Mrs. Cathy Taylor served as Director of Grace Lutheran Early Education from 1994-1997.

New staff positions were added in 1996 and 1997. Ms. Sheryl Hansen was Called to serve as Director of Parish Worship and Music and Ms. Shelley Savant began her service as Director of Youth Ministry Education 1997. Mrs. Dawn Stacy became the Director of GLEE in 1997 and continues in that position today. Also, in1996 additional teachers join our staff. They were Ms. Michelle Husky, Ms. Lori Riley, Caroline Borkey, Ken and Kathy Wentland. With the growth of the Christian Day School, in 1997 Mr. Bill Lucas and Mrs. Mary Fibiger accepted a Call to serve Grace.

Senior Pastor Dr. David Joeckel served the congregation faithfully for 28 years before retiring in December of 1998. He and his wife, Judy, were honored with special services, dinners and a trip. In addition to his ministry at Grace, he also served as Fourth, Third, and Second Vice-President of the Texas District for a total of 14 years. In 1998 Grace Congregation numbered 1485 baptized souls.

1998 was another year of change with Principal Mr. James Ferking moving to California and Mr. James Hohnbaum accepting a Call to fill that position. Ms. Gayle Peterson and Ms. Nicole Bohn joined the teaching staff of Grace Lutheran School.

The Call Committee placed a Call to Rev. Brad Beckman of St. Louis, Mo to serve Grace Lutheran Church as Senior Pastor. He was installed in August of 2000. Ms. Jackie Barnhardt and Suanne Forrester accepted Calls to teach in the Christian Day School in the fall of 2000.

In January of 2002 Grace celebrated the 50th Anniversary with a Special Worship Service at Johnny High Music Review Auditorium in Arlington with Pastors David Joeckel, Rudy Herbrich and Brad Beckman officiating. Following the service, a dinner was served and the Charter Members were recognized and honored. The 50 years of Grace's history was presented with a pictorial display.

In addition to serving the congregation, Pastor Brad Beckman served as interim principal of the school from June 2002 to December 2002 at which time Dr. Pat Coomes was named Principal. She served from January 2003 to June of 2004. Sherry Burgdorf completed the Colloquy Program at Concordia Lutheran University at Austin, Texas and was Called to serve at the School. In 2004 Dawn Stacy, the Director of the Grace Lutheran Early Education program, assumed the position of Principal of the school as well as the Director of GLEE. A Call Committee is currently in the process of interviewing candidates for the position of principal beginning in the fall of 2006.

Mr. John Werner accepted a Call to Grace as a teacher in the Christian Day School and Miss Melissa Saran was Called to serve as our Minister of Youth in 2003. Mr. Dave Pendley was installed as the Minister of Youth in January of 2005.

Some of the current ministry programs at Grace Lutheran Church, in addition to our Worship Services and Sunday school, consist of Life Light Bible Study Groups, Tender Loving Care Bible Study Groups, A Women’s Bible Study, a Stephen Ministry Program, and a Celebrate Recovery Program. Also, a Men's Club, "Club Grace," a program for second through sixth graders which involves the children of the community as well Grace members and a Men’s Community Basketball program. We offer a variety of musical programs for people of all ages. Grace also has a Braille Center that prints and assembles Bibles for the blind, a 55+Group, and "The Piecemakers Group", [a group of ladies who make quilts, baby layettes and health kits for Lutheran World Relief]. Grace Lutheran also supports a U.T.A. Lutheran Center Bible Study and meal program, Arlington Charities, the Arlington Life Shelter, A Residential Care Ministry at several Retirement Centers, and the Arlington Ministerial Association.

Our Mission Statement is "Grace Lutheran Church and School exists to make Christ-followers of all nations". The mural on the sanctuary wall depicts this concept. Grace is blessed to be located in the center of a multi-cultural area in Arlington and a neighbor to the University of Texas at Arlington. Our vision is to tell people, not just from Arlington, but also from all over the world, about Jesus and to bring them to know him as their Lord and Savior.

Our vision also includes, if it is God's will and that of God’s people at Grace, to eventually purchase the Parkridge Town homes adjacent to Grace and build some type of member/community multi-purpose building on the lot that faces Park Row.