Our History
Atonement Lutheran Church began with a simple but bold idea: What if we started a new congregation—not just for ourselves, but for the people in our community who had no church home?
In the early 1960s, members of Zion Lutheran Church began praying and dreaming about a mission congregation in Upper Arlington. That dream became reality when a small group gathered for the first official meeting of what was then called the Upper Arlington Mission. From the beginning, the purpose was clear: reach the unchurched, serve Lutherans in the area, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with new neighbors.
And from the very start, Atonement was never meant to be a “spectator” church. It was a lay-centered mission, built on the belief that every Christian is called to serve as a witness of Christ in the world.
In those early years, worship took place in a local elementary school. Week after week, God gathered His people around Word and Sacrament, even without a permanent building. But the congregation grew—and soon it became clear that Atonement needed a home of its own.
Land was purchased on Francisco Road, and with prayer, sacrifice, and joyful determination, the congregation built its first church facility. Before long, the ministry continued to expand. As more people found a church home at Atonement, the building was enlarged to make room for new faces, new ministries, and deeper fellowship.
One of the most important chapters in Atonement’s story began when the congregation opened Atonement Lutheran Preschool. Serving children and their families has always been a priority here, and the preschool became a natural extension of the congregation’s mission. Over the years, the preschool has grown steadily—welcoming families from many cultures and backgrounds, and becoming a trusted, grace-filled place where children are loved, nurtured, and prepared for the future.
Atonement has also been blessed through the years with faithful pastoral leadership—pastors who preached Christ clearly, cared for God’s people tenderly, and helped guide the congregation through seasons of growth, change, outreach, and renewal:
Rev. James Koehler (1965–1972) – Our first pastor, who led the congregation through its earliest growth and the building of our first church home.
Rev. Daniel Bell (1973–2006) – Served 33 years, shaping Atonement’s culture of warmth, grace, and service.
Rev. Brian Larson (2008–2015) – Led during a season of renewed outreach, small groups, and expanded ministry vision.
Rev. Derrick Hurst (2010–2012) – Served in multiple roles and helped launch new ministry efforts beyond Atonement.
Rev. Phil Esala (2015, Interim) – Guided the congregation through a transition season and helped strengthen the Comfort Dog ministry vision.
Rev. Richard Schneider (2015–2024) – Strengthened outreach to the unchurched and launched Missional Communities.
Rev. Eric Gawura (2025–present) – Our current pastor, eager to serve Christ and the Columbus community alongside Atonement.
Each pastor has left a mark on the life of the congregation, helping shape Atonement into a community known for warmth, reverence, and genuine care.
But Atonement’s history isn’t only about buildings, programs, or milestones.
It’s also a story of service.
From the beginning, members have found ways to show God’s love beyond the church walls—volunteering through Lutheran Social Services, supporting refugees and families in need, serving with Habitat for Humanity, partnering with local schools, responding to disasters, and bringing comfort to thousands through the Comfort Dog ministry.
Through every chapter, one theme has remained constant: God has been faithful. And by His grace, Atonement continues to be a Christ-centered community where the Gospel is proclaimed, children are nurtured, and people are strengthened in faith and love.
And the story isn’t finished yet.