The history of Christ Lutheran Church goes back to the period of time after World War II when people were slowly beginning to move to the south part of Hammond, Indiana, from further north, East Chicago, and Chicago, Illinois, itself.
In 1950, Reverend Axle Berg, who was serving at St. Paul’s in East Chicago, helped a group who was interested in starting a Lutheran Church in the Woodmar area of Hammond. The first service was held on March 26, 1950 at the Virgil Huber Funeral Home, Hammond. In 1951, Reverend Robert E. Byquist moved to Hammond to become the Mission Developer of the new congregation. It was under the leadership of Pastor Byquist that a decision was made to build on the corner of Indianapolis Boulevard and 171st Street in Hammond, Indiana.
On June 12, 1955, the Parish Hall was dedicated. On October 4, 1964, the Sanctuary was completed and dedicated.
Pastor Byquist was followed by Reverend Ralph Edward Peterson (1960-1962), Reverend Robert Albin (1962-1966), Reverend Gerald Kline (1966-1973), Reverend James Theodore Swanson (1974-2004), Rev. Richard Poole (interim 2004-2006), and Rev. David Norland (interim 2006-2007), Rev. Roger Storms (2007-2014), Vicar Dale Zylstra (intern 2019-2021), Rev. Dale Zylstra (2021-present).
In the fall of 1975, the Parish Hall was
re-dedicated in memory of the mission developer and first pastor of the congregation, the Reverend Robert Byquist. It was renamed Byquist Hall as part of the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the congregation.
In 1988, along with other congregations of the Lutheran Church in America, Christ Lutheran Church became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Christ Lutheran Church has a present membership of approximately 120 confirmed and 140 baptized members.