About Us

A Short History of Island Lutheran Church

Island Lutheran Church  celebrated 20 years as a congregation in November of 2005.  Our ministry began in 1985 when Rev. Milton Nauss,
who retired to Hilton Head, began a ministry with 23 original members holding their first worship service at the home of one of our members. 
In 1986 we moved to the Port Royal Plantation Clubhouse.  Island Lutheran Church was chartered and joined the Lutheran Church
 Missouri Synod in April of 1986.

A prime site of 2.5 acres, at the corner of Main Street and Wilborn Road, was purchased in 1989. Groundbreaking for the sanctuary was
held in the fall of 1991.  Rev. Robert Hedtke became the first full time pastor in the spring of 1993.  The original sanctuary building,
totaling 4,000 square feet, was completed in 1994 and temporary modular units were added in 1996 to meet expanding needs in Christian
 education for adults, children and youth activities.  A pre-school was added to our church’s ministry in 1998.


Subsequent successful capital campaigns, titled Faith Forward and Faith Forward II, provided
funds to add  dedicated pre-school rooms, fellowship hall,     expanded narthex, classrooms,
conference room and offices.   As part of the dedication of the new facilities, two retired pastors
were honored for their tireless efforts in ministering to ILC members. The facilities were dedicated
as the Milton J.Nauss Christian Life Center and the John E. Graudin Fellowship Hall.

Rev. George Spicer conducted his first service in June of 2001.  A second worship service was
added in August of 2002.  Also, in 2002, a congregational “Vision to Action” workshop developed
five priorities that would enhance and expand the Church’s ministries.  The Women’s Ministry
was organized in 2002.

“Mission Possible” became a church wide emphasis in 2004 as thirty-five separate mission efforts were successfully completed. 
One interesting mission carried out by our youth involves working with P.E.P (Programs for Exceptional People) in by-weekly Friendship
Gatherings.  In cooperation with Lord of Life Lutheran Church, we also completed a Habitat for Humanity house in Bluffton in 2004. 
Our congregation supports missionaries in Thailand and the Papua New Guinea Mission Society.
    Pastor Spicer accepted a call to Arizona in late 2004.

Beginning in June of 2004, Island Lutheran participated in the LCMS Director of Christian Education Internship program. 

Mr. David Timmerman served his one year internship at ILC and  graduated  from Concordia University.  Island Lutheran  extended a

call to David to become our full time Director of Christian Education, beginning June 1, 2005.  A 1000 square foot youth

room above the fellowship hall was finished at the end of 2004 to be the center of our youth’s Christian education,

social and recreation programs. Dave accepted a call to serve as the DCE at Faith Viera Lutheran Church in Rockledge,

FL in June 2007.
 

Bible studies were greatly expanded in 2005 with weekly, bi-weekly and monthly opportunities held at various
times and days of the weeks.

  Rev. Dr. Gregory P. Hollis accepted our Call and became our pastor on March 1, 2006. 
  Pastor Hollis resigned as pastor in July, 2008.

  Rev. Dan Quiram became our interim pastor in October, 2008 and served us until June, 2010.

  We are in the process of calling a new pastor. Rev. Dr. Walter J. Warneck, Jr. is serving as out guest pastor during this time.

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