About CVLC
In association with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), Christus Victor Lutheran Church (CVLC) offers Christian worship service each Sunday. Worship includes Holy Communion, band and/or choir music, a children’s sermon and an adult sermon based on the Bible. Our active congregation serves each other, the church, our community and the world. We gather for special events and celebrate the seasons described in the Church Year Calendar.
Meet our staff
Pastor Ben Krey
Pastor Ben Krey was called to be the Pastor of Christus Victor Lutheran Church in January 2017 and started on March 15th, 2017. Before moving to Durham, Pastor Ben served as the pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Philadelphia from 2009. In his baptism, the Holy Spirit gave him gifts for evangelism. Pastor Ben loves to talk to people outside of the Church and especially loves building relationships with people of different cultures. Though he only speaks English, he loves finding ways to communicate Jesus' love through actions to those who do not speak English. In doing so, he experiences Jesus in their smiles and hospitality. Click here to learn more about the pastor.
Simon Zaleski
Music Director
2008 Master of Music from Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
Simon Zaleski has served as CVLC's Music Director since 2008, after moving to Durham following receipt of master's degrees in harpsichord, composition, and musicology from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. A specialist in Renaissance, Baroque, and Celtic music, he has performed on harpsichord, organ, piano, viola, viola da gamba, and recorder and brings some of this music to CVLC. Over the past few years, he has performed with many early music ensembles in Baltimore and at Duke and UNC. A rather geeky list of hobbies, perhaps influenced by growing up in the Seattle area, includes history, fishkeeping, Star Trek and other sci-fi, and games of all sorts--and there is always another musical instrument to learn!
Sarah Rodriguez
Office Administrator
On August 28, 2019 Sarah began working at Christus Victor Lutheran Church. She lives in the Parkwood neighborhood and loves it! Sarah and her husband Johel also work in the community pastoring a Latino congregation since 2013. Their 3 children have attended Music Camp at Christus Victor and learned so much. Sarah is in the church office at Christus Victor Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 AM- 2 PM. Let me know if there is any way I can help!
Mission statement
Fearlessly trusting God, we accept all others, ourselves, and our calling to give comfort.
Newsletter
CVLC history
In the sixties, the Lutheran Church in America decided to center a new mission in Southern Durham, just a few miles from the developing Research Triangle Park. Worship services began on September 11, 1966 and were initially held in the Parkwood Elementary School. The church building, with its prominent baptismal font and 20-foot altar, was dedicated in 1970. The first charter was signed by 14 families. Today, we are living out God's Mission on the shoulders of those who started and sustained this congregation over the years.
