Paul Christensen hasn’t let a little thing like retirement keep him from busily engaging with other people, much as he did during his working years. He retired in 1999 after 37 years as director of music at Columbia Heights’ First Lutheran Church and waited less than a year before plunging into an active volunteer schedule, largely with members of his congregation.
Christensen began working at the church part time while a college student; after two years of military service and with a degree in music from Augsburg College, he returned to First Lutheran and its music.
He said, about his tenure there, “I played piano and organ, but directing vocal and hand bell choirs for all ages was my forte.” He said that among the things he most enjoyed doing was, “producing good music and involving children and adults in an activity they enjoy.”
Karen Peterson, who’s been a First Lutheran member almost as long as Christensen, said her two daughters started in his children’s choirs where they sang on Sundays, went to weekly practice and participated in the choir’s social activities. She added that commitments they made at First Lutheran have developed into lifelong friendships.
Christensen has many devoted helpers for his projects at First Lutheran, which keep him busy on his computer, planning tours, activities, special dinners (and other food events, including details like rides and name tags). Peterson said, “One of his amazing gifts is how he keeps in touch with church members: current, former and shut-ins. He will pick up or find someone to bring people to special events.”
One of Christensen’s pet projects is “Young
at Heart,” a large group of seniors who meet monthly for events like a minibus trip to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha or music programs like “Alive and Kickin’” in Bloomington. He has also arranged and led yearly bus trips (including to Washington D.C., the Alamo in San Antonio, Tex., and most recently Nashville, Tenn.).
He organizes church members to maintain the church’s flower garden and patio plants and he continues to perform as a soloist for weddings and funerals. Over the years he’s directed high school and senior choirs as well as the Augsburg Centennial Singers. He introduced handbell choirs to First Lutheran and took choir members to awards at national competitions. He is also the church’s historian, keeping current records and preserving records from the church’s founding in 1912.
Peterson said, “First Lutheran has many volunteers, and Paul is among the greatest of them. He’s been an integral part of the church for generations.”

Paul Christensen (Provided)