Pinewood is a confessional Lutheran church of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), that subscribes to the Book of Concord of 1580. But having said all that, it is a group of Christian believers in the Boston area who love one another, and who anticipate together Christ’s return in glory. The Bible is our source of doctrine and practice. We worship and fellowship together. We care for one another’s needs. We concern ourselves with the physical and spiritual needs of our community. Since 1884, the congregation known more recently (since 1976) as Pinewood Lutheran Church bears witness to Jesus Christ as true God Who also has assumed humanity to make payment for sins, and to bring reconciliation between us and God. Forgiveness and eternal life are to be found in Him alone.
Pinewood Lutheran Church has a rich history that spans well over a century. It all began in 1884 when a small group of Norwegian Lutherans in the Boston area came together to form a congregation. They built their first home for worship in Roxbury, and over the years, the community grew and flourished.
In 1936, the church moved to Cambridge and became known as Harvard Street Lutheran Church, continuing its mission of sharing God’s Word and serving its members. Then, in 1976, the congregation found a new home in Burlington, Massachusetts, adopting the name Pinewood Lutheran Church.

“Stand firm, and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.”
– 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Rooted in God’s Word, Growing in Faith
Even today, Pinewood honors its past while looking toward the future. One cherished piece of history is the original 1846 church bell, lovingly named “Moses,” which still rings every Sunday — a beautiful reminder of the faith and dedication of those who came before us. Through all the moves and changes, the heart of the church has remained the same: a welcoming community rooted in God’s Word.
Our Beliefs
Today many churches follow what’s “secularly popular,” selecting beliefs based on cultural trends. At Pinewood Lutheran, we don’t. We stand with the ancient Apostolic Church, boldly confessing that God’s Word is inspired, inerrant, and the only true source for faith and life.
Scripture — God’s Inerrant, Inspired Word
We believe that every book, every verse, every word of the Bible is God‑breathed and without error. Scripture is our only authority for doctrine and life.
Faith and Salvation
We trust that salvation and forgiveness come solely by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ — not by human works, merit, or modern compromise.
The Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
We confess the one true God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We affirm both the full divinity and full humanity of Jesus Christ — true God and true man.
Confession & Tradition
We don’t invent doctrine — we confess historic, apostolic faith. We uphold the teachings expressed in the ecumenical creeds (like the Athanasian Creed) and the historic confessions handed down through the church.
