Leadership & Staff

Rev. Breck Cogswell

[email protected]
(405) 372-3074 (Church Office)

Rev. Breck Cogswell (she/her/hers) is a Fort Smith, AR native, avid reader/crafter/crocheter, lover of all tiny fluffy animals, and proud alumnus of Concordia College (Moorhead, MN, where she became a Lutheran!) and Wartburg Theological Seminary (Dubuque, IA). She was ordained into the ministry of Word and Sacrament in June of 2025 and installed as pastor of Salem Lutheran Church--in the same evening! Breck's heart for ministry centers in small group and intergenerational ministry, preaching, music and liturgy, queer theology, pastoral care, grief-care, and care for the dying. One of her favorite scripture passages is Psalm 63, and she aspires to ever-remain a creative and biblical language nerd. She lives in Stillwater with art-covered walls and her bunny, MoMo.

LISA MURRAY-FRANCIS

OFFICE COORDINATOR
[email protected]
405-372-3074

Lisa will be happy to help you with questions about Salem. The entrance from the Duck Street parking lot is the closest entrance to her office.

ELIZABETH ALBRIGHT

CHOIR DIRECTOR

Dr. Albright has directed the Salem Choir since 2007, often lending us her remarkable soprano voice in solo and ensemble as well. She has an undergraduate degree in music performance and a PhD in Education, both from OSU. She would love to talk to you about singing!

Typically the choir practices on Wednesdays at 7 pm. During the Advent & Lenten seasons, choir meets at 7:30 pm following the Wednesday evening service.

KRYSTAL HENNESSEY

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & ORGANIST

Krystal is an accomplished teacher, accompanist and musician, serving as organist/pianist and Director of Music at Salem since 1985. She is wonderfully adept at leading the congregation in worship through the music.

CINDY PENNIE

BSN, RN, PARISH NURSE
[email protected]

Cindy Pennie serves the Salem community as our Parish Nurse. As such she provides comfort and prayer for members who are ailing and assistance to those who need advice about seeking medical attention or someone to accompany them to doctors’ appointments. She does blood pressure checks and provides general health/medical information to the congregation. She does not provide medical treatment. We are thankful for her love and care for our members and for the experience that comes from many years of nursing at Stillwater Medical Center. She is retired from SMC and volunteers with the Red Cross. She has also led Medical Mission Trips to Tanzania for many years.

Our Story

They came from Russia

At the end of the nineteenth century, on the invitation of the United States government, Oklahoma was settled by legions of frustrated adventurers, farmers and bankers, teachers and traders as well as the poverty-stricken. They came on foot, on horseback, in buggies and buckboards. They came from everywhere. Some failed while others persevered.

Among those that persevered were the patriarchs of Salem Lutheran Church. They were German-Russians from Imperial Russia looking with restless eyes for a new start on the Oklahoma prairie with the promise of freedom. Salem’s legacy was built by a series of powerful human events and this brief history will be told over several installments.

Salem stands on the shoulders of these hardy souls long gone. It was during their many hardships that they leaned on the strength of their faith, for it was Martin Luther who said, “Here I stand, I can do no other”. Yet they were grateful for what little they had. They gave thanks for the year that closed and for the year to come. They asked the Lord for patience, that they may love others as themselves, and their Creator in heaven beyond all.

Learn More

Butterfly Garden

A Certified Monarch Waystation was installed under the pecan tree on Duck Street in 2020. The project was spearheaded by Dr. Annette Cowell with landscaping completed by Cathy Minnick and team of Crosstimbers Landscaping. Lawson Hearp, his boy scout troop, and Salem members installed stone benches and planted the appropriate monarch-attracting plants as Lawson’s Eagle Scout project. We welcome members of the community to enjoy the beauty of the garden in bloom.

And, yes, our garden has made a difference in the Monarch Butterfly population!

salem-evangelical-lutheran-church-stillwater-oklahoma

Salem Lutheran Church

Stillwater, OK