First Lutheran was formed in 1874 (and chartered in October of 1875) by German immigrants who, after 26 years of traveling to worship in Catonsville, acted in faith and courage to establish a Lutheran congregation in the community of Ellicott Mills. The newly organized congregation selected a site along Church Road where a two-story frame building was erected. Here our congregation worshipped for 81 years.

Because of the limited space for expansion on the rocky ridge overlooking the Patapsco River, our congregation accepted a tract of land given by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miller as the site of the new church structure. Dedicated on September 9, 1956, the new two-story brick building more than adequately served our needs. However, our congregation continued to increase, and a second worship service was introduced in 1963. In order to serve our growing administrative and educational needs, the Grimes Office Wing was constructed in 1964 and the Educational Building in 1967.

In 1975 our congregation's 100th anniversary was celebrated, and an assistant pastor was installed. Because of increasing membership, a third morning worship service was added in 1978. In response to an ever-growing congregation, the first full-time Director of Music Ministry was called in 1986, and in 1988, a fourth full-time staff position of Director of Christian Education was added.

On June 12, 1988, the congregation dedicated another addition to the church, including choir rooms, enlarged sacristy, renovated chancel, parlor, and office space to accommodate our growing staff. On April 28, 1996, we dedicated a new worship space, which was the culmination of 12 years of planning. Our congregation continues in our commitment to carrying our faith out into the community and world in a variety of ways, such as supplying food baskets to the needy, providing meals to residents of a women and children's shelter in Baltimore, support of mission congregations, support of the Howard County Christian Women's Thrift Shop, and sponsorship of missionaries. First Lutheran also reaches out through our membership in and support of the DE/MD Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

All these projects are as important to our history as the construction of the buildings. Our history demonstrates our commitment to the tasks God has set before us in this place and our willingness to carry the Good News of Jesus Christ into the world.