By Mollee Francisco 

Guardian Angels Catholic Church and the Chaska Moravian Church are not the only local churches celebrating big birthdays this year.

East Union Lutheran Church is getting ready to hit 150 years in Carver County as well. The congregation will kick off its anniversary year this Sunday with a worship service and special fellowship time.

East Union Lutheran Church, located less than four miles southwest of Carver, was established in summer of 1858 by Swedish settlers. The original church building was erected the year before. It would later serve as St. Ansgar’s Academy and Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. It remains today as one of the oldest “church-related structures in Minnesota.”

The current church was built in 1866 and the Parish Center was constructed in 1994. Today, East Union Lutheran Church has about 600 members.

Guest preacher, the Rev. Grady St. Dennis, of Gustavus Adolphus College, will conduct the 150th anniversary kick-off worship service on Sunday. The worship service will also include traditional Swedish music by “The Cloudberries.”  Following the service will be a special fellowship time featuring traditional Swedish pastries and music.

East Union Lutheran Church also has a number of events planned throughout the year to celebrate its birthday including a congregational picnic, ghost tours of the cemetery, confirmation class reunions and a special Swedish St. Lucia Christmas program in December.