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On September 27th, 1880, the Swedish citizens of South Bend, Indiana, organized the Swedish Lutheran Evangelical Church, later to be named Gloria Dei. In the over-135 years since this humble founding, our parish has faithfully worshipped the Triune God in the beauty of holiness, given witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ and his Gospel, and reached out to the people of our community through service to those in need. In the twenty-first century, Gloria Dei continues its longstanding tradition of weekly Holy Communion, excellent music, and cheerful ministry to the community. Join us in our work of Christian service to the world!
Historical information about the founders of Gloria Dei is available from the South Bend Area Genealogical Society.
The History Museum of South Bend has a link about Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.
Pastor Patrick was called as the Pastor of Gloria Dei, in a joint call with First English Lutheran in Mishawaka, in February of 2023. He previously served his first call as the Associate Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland for 6 years.
Pastor Patrick holds a B.A. in Communication from North Carolina State University, as well as a Master’s of Divinity from Gettysburg Seminary (now United Lutheran Seminary).
Pastor Patrick is called to develop and sustain the gifts of our people and sees great potential in two congregations is serving to foster deeper relationships with one another and with Christ who we follow. He is grateful for the gift of being part of a denomination and congregation that takes seriously God’s call to serve the community, the nation and the world, and continues to work toward expanding these gifts.
Pastor Patrick ventured out to Midwest following his wife Laurel, who began in fall of 2022 as a professor at Notre Dame in the accountancy department. When he’s not at church or visiting parishioners, you can often find him at a ballgame, sampling a well-aged bourbon or wine, or exploring the towns diverse offerings, always thankful to God for the richness of creation and our place therein.
Kevin J. Vaughn is Director of Music and Organist at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (South Bend, Indiana), accompanist for the South Bend Chamber Singers (Nancy Menk, director), and a nationally-touring concert artist. He appears regularly as a solo organ recitalist and in collaborative programs of sacred music for voice and organ with baritone Stephen Lancaster. Their first recording, Sacred Song, was released on the Albany label in 2018. In addition to performing, Vaughn has previously served on the instructional faculty of Goshen College (organ, harpsichord) and the University of Notre Dame (piano, organ). He regularly teaches organ literature to master’s and doctoral students in the Graduate Program in Sacred Music at Notre Dame.
Vaughn holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in piano, organ, and sacred music, including the first Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance conferred by the University of Notre Dame. He is a past dean of the St. Joseph Valley (IN) chapter of the American Guild of Organists and holds the Guild's Colleague Certificate.
Staff at Gloria Dei Church:
Rev. Patrick Ballard, Pastor
Dolores Miller, Office Administrator
Kevin Vaughn, Director of Music & Organist
Church Council:
Seth Ponder, President
Melinda Foley, Vice President
Jonathan Sanchez, Secretary
Peggy Niedbalski-,Treasurer
Patty Carr
Dr. Dan Lindborg
Steve Martin
John Miller- Social Ministry
Jeremy Osterhouse
Pastor Ken Peterson
Jack Seifer
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