On the north end of Camano Island, sixty miles north of Seattle, travelers crossing on or off the island pass right by a small white church with a light in its steeple. That light, visible from the main route, has become a symbolic beacon for Camano Lutheran Church, a congregation that has lived out the rhythms of Word and Sacrament on this stretch of the island since 1890. Originally known as the Lutheran Evangelical Congregation of Camano Island, the church today carries a mission shaped by three commitments: sharing Christ's love, growing in faith, and serving neighbor near and far.
A Sanctuary Built by Pioneers
The story of Camano Lutheran is entwined with the people who first settled this stretch of the Pacific Northwest. The new congregation of about 41 first met in a one-room schoolhouse that stood across the road from where the sanctuary now rises. That schoolhouse was eventually relocated to its current site adjoining the historic sanctuary and survives today as Pioneer Hall.
Construction of the sanctuary began in 1900. Two local families, Sivert Johnson and J.P. Larson, donated the land, and the church was modeled after country churches in Scandinavia. Materials were hauled in by horse-drawn wagon over primitive dirt roads and the Stillaguamish ferry, which was the only way on and off the island at the time. The total material cost for the church was $904. The bell that still rings every Sunday cost $70.40, and the statue of Jesus that overlooks the altar and pulpit cost $9.60. The altar and pulpit were hand-carved by J.P. Larson and K.P. Frostad from eleven different kinds of exotic wood - gifts to Larson from captains of sailing ships arriving at the Utsalady mill where he worked.
The stained-glass windows that now line both sides of the sanctuary were originally installed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland, Washington, and were moved to Camano Lutheran in 1956, the same year the congregation was able to call its first full-time paid pastor. The original pump organ, restored to operating condition in late 2016, sits in the narthex. The site is listed on the State Register of Historical Sites and occasionally opens for guided tours during community events.
Sunday Morning at 10:00
Worship gathers around Word and Sacrament every Sunday morning at 10:00, both in person and through an online broadcast. The service runs about an hour and includes a children's sermon, recognizing that parents and children are encouraged to attend worship together. A nursery is not currently offered, but easy-to-follow printed bulletins and assisted hearing devices are available.
Holy Communion is an open table. Worshippers receive wafer and intinction, with gluten-free wafers, wine, and grape juice all available. The sanctuary itself keeps a quiet, traditional feel - dress can range from business casual to casual, and first-time guests can arrive as they are most comfortable.
Throughout the year, special services mark the seasons of the church calendar: Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Christmas Eve candlelight services, Lessons and Carols, the Longest Night service during Advent, and Holden Evening Prayer on Wednesday evenings during Lent and Advent. Confirmation and Reformation Sunday are observed each fall.
Worship Online and Sermon Archive
For those who cannot attend in person, the 10:00 service is available online every Sunday. Each weekly video includes the sermon, announcements, and special music from the in-person service. A full archive of services stretches back through January 2023 and continues to be updated, organized month by month, so anyone who missed a Sunday can catch up on the sermon series, music, or seasonal observances at their own pace. The archive and livestream are accessible directly from the church's online platform, with recordings also collected on the congregation's YouTube playlist.
A Childcare Ministry that Grew with the Island
Camano Lutheran Childcare is, in many ways, a ministry of the church in its own right. It was established in 1981 in response to a clear need for childcare services in the Stanwood-Camano area and has grown into a year-round program serving children from age 2 through fifth grade. Today the center welcomes toddlers (2 to 3 1/2 years), preschoolers (3 1/2 to 5 years, not yet registered for kindergarten), and school-age children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
The program is licensed by the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services, accepts DSHS, and participates in the Washington Early Achievers program. A commercial kitchen on site prepares USDA-approved meals daily, and children have access to a full indoor gym and outdoor playground. Before- and after-school care includes bus pick-up and drop-off at Utsalady and Elger Bay Elementary Schools through the Stanwood-Camano School District, and a summer program keeps school-age children engaged through the break.
Faith is woven gently into the week. Chapel time, held once a week, includes Bible stories, singing, games, and time with the pastor. Many of the families enrolled have returned across multiple generations, and the childcare program is open to any family who might benefit, regardless of race, nationality, or creed. Hours run from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with tuition available on a full-time, part-time, and drop-in basis.
The Cemetery on the South-Facing Hillside
In the early twentieth century, parishioners of the nearby church purchased a south-facing hillside for a cemetery. Buried there are many of the original pioneers of the church and of Camano Island itself. The grounds remain an open, reflective space maintained by the congregation, with inquiries handled through a dedicated phone line and email address. All are welcome to come and reflect on the lives of those who shared the island before.
What Lutherans Believe
Camano Lutheran is a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, working through the Northwest Washington Synod. The church follows the Reformation tradition of Martin Luther, posting his legacy of grace forward through worship that gathers around Word and Sacrament.
Teaching here centers on salvation by grace alone, not by anything we do; on Jesus' death and resurrection making us right with God as a gift; on salvation through faith and trust in the God who through Christ promises forgiveness, life, and salvation; on God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and on the written Word of the Bible as the authority for faith and life. New member classes are held several times a year for anyone interested in learning more about what Lutherans believe, exploring baptism, or joining the congregation.
Pastoral Leadership and Office
The congregation is served by Pastor Scott Brents, whose greeting from the pulpit invites anyone - long-time believer, new explorer, or earnest questioner - to come and experience the presence of Christ in worship, education, fellowship, and service. Pastor Scott walks newcomers and longtime members alike through the faith journey with care and openness.
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., reachable at (360) 629-4592 or office@camanolutheranchurch.org. Cemetery inquiries can be directed to camanocemetery@gmail.com or (360) 722-6666, and childcare questions to childcare@camanolutheranchurch.org or (360) 629-2253.
Practical Details for Visitors
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m. and runs about an hour. Parking is available on site at 850 Heichel Road, on the north end of Camano Island, where the church's steeple light is a familiar sight to anyone driving on or off the island. Visitors are welcome to attend in person or join online, with the same open-table communion, printed bulletins, children's sermon, and assisted hearing devices offered in the sanctuary. Dress can be casual or business casual - whatever feels right. Children are encouraged to be in worship alongside their families, and the childcare center on the same campus stands ready to serve infants through fifth-grade families throughout the week.