Historic Malden Church Closes After More Than A Century

The congregation now plans to merge with one in Woburn.

By Benjamin Pierce, Patch Staff

Oct 1, 2026 10:59 AM EDT

MALDEN, MA — A local church has closed its doors after more than 130 years.

First Lutheran Church recently held a celebration of ministry and final worship service marking the end of its longtime congregation in Malden. Mayor Gary Christenson joined the Rev. Emily Hamilton and members of the congregation for the service and wished them well as they prepare to merge with another area congregation. A reception featuring displays highlighting the church's history followed the service.

First Lutheran Church was formally organized on Oct. 26, 1893, with roots in Malden's growing Swedish immigrant community. Jonas P. Dahlin, then a Harvard University student, began ministering to Swedish immigrant families living in Malden and Everett during the early 1890s. The congregation later purchased land at the corner of Church and Waite streets and constructed a church that was dedicated on Oct. 10, 1897. The building became one of the city's oldest houses of worship.

The church continued growing over the following decades, constructing a parsonage in 1919 that was later converted into its Parish House. A major addition to the church followed after the Rev. Dr. John Eckholm became pastor in 1928. The congregation also established traditions tied to its Swedish heritage, including its first Lucia Fest in December 1932. The annual celebration featured a St. Lucia procession, Christmas music, Swedish baked goods and other festivities.

First Lutheran underwent another major change in 1966 when Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Everett merged with the Malden congregation. The church later became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988. Hamilton was called to serve the congregation following a transitional period that lasted from 2015 through 2017.

First Lutheran will now merge with Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Woburn to form Hope Lutheran Church. The merger brings together two congregations whose histories each date back to 1893. The two churches had already been sharing ministry, fellowship and worship before the merger, with services rotating between Malden and Woburn.

Hope Lutheran will primarily operate out of Redeemer's property at 60 Forest Park Road in Woburn. The congregation will also maintain a presence in Malden through a monthly worship service, although a date, time and location for the services have not yet been established.

Redeemer has maintained a longtime presence in Woburn and operates several community programs from its Forest Park Road property. The congregation established Little Hands Big Hearts Christian Preschool in 1997 and also works with Woburn United Methodist Church to operate the After School Club, which provides child care for local families.

The merger comes several months after First Lutheran's longtime Malden property was placed on the market for $1.499 million. The property includes the church sanctuary, steeple, parish house and other space on a 7,261-square-foot lot.