 
|
A Brief
History
In June 1962
the South Pacific District Mission Committee called the Rev. Fred J. Landdeck
to organize a congregation in Santa Susanna, California. The worship service
was held in the Moose Hall Clubhouse in July. The first Sunday School session
also began in 1962.
Ground-breaking ceremonies were held for the first unit of the church in August 1962. In December 1962 the congregation was incorporated, adopted the Constitution and By-Laws, named its first Church Council, and called Pastor Landdeck as its first pastor. The church building was completed and dedicated in April 1963.By October 1964, two Sunday worship services were being held. The congregation refinanced and became self-supporting in December 1965. The Fireside Room was completed and dedicated in April 1966. Mrs. Arlene Myers became the first office secretary in December 1966. Pastor Landdeck announced his resignation in July 1967 and in September left to serve in Pomona, California. Pastor Lyle G. Miller accepted the Call from Our Saviour Lutheran and began his ministry in November.
The Covenant
Membership was adopted by the congregation in 1970. A state licensed Preschool
began classes that fall, with Mrs. Sonja Miller as the first director.
Pastor Miller accepted a Call to Fairfax, California and announced his resignation effective December 31, 1972. Pastor Stephen J. Cornils became our third pastor in March 1973. In September 1973, Pastor Gary A. Wilkerson joined the pastoral team at Our Saviour. A house adjoining our property was purchased and made into a church office and classrooms. The Fireside Room was refurbished and renamed Landdeck Hall. The offices and Landdeck Hall were dedicated on Palm Sunday 1976. Pastor Landdeck was present as the guest of honor. A new Sunday School classroom building was moved onto out property and the patio area was enlarged considerably in the summer of 1976.
|
In February
1977 we added to our staff Mrs. Sharon Vandiver as a part-time secretary.
Arlene Myers became Parish Coordinator.
The parking lot was completed,
planters built around it and shrubbery planted. In December the congregation
celebrated its 15th
anniversary.
Pastor
Cornils announced his resignation in March 1978 and in April left to serve in
Palo Alto, California.
In August 1978, Mrs. Doris Tenneboe was added to the staff as our first Parish Education Associate.
The congregation began using the Lutheran Book of Worship in October 1978.
Pastor Robert Eichele accepted out Letter of Call and was installed June 10, 1979. The three Lutheran Churches in Simi began
Good Shepherd Lutheran School, grades K-2.
A pipe organ was purchased and installation was completed in early 1980.
On January 4, 1981 Pastor Gary A. Wilkerson resigned from our congregation to take training in Clinical Pastoral Education.
In June 1981 the congregation voted to build an educational multipurpose unit. Every Member Visitation was held to gather
three-year pledges, and the drive was successfully completed in 1982, by which time we exceeded our goal of $150,000 in pledges
and gifts.
Brian Dietrich accepted the Call to become principal of Good Shepherd School in summer of 1981. Grades 4 and 5 were added
and the Kindergarten class was brought to our campus.
In the Fall, our Parish Coordinator, Arlene Myers, became certified by the ALC and was commissioned in October.
On December 5, 1982 our church celebrated its 20th Anniversary. The celebration was attended by all of our former pastors.
On June 5, 1983 a ground-breaking ceremony was held for the new educational/multi-purpose unit. Actual construction began
in October 1983.
On June 17, 1984 a Service of Ordination took place at Out Saviour Lutheran Church for Cynthia Deserre Manion.
In July, 1985 Denyse Spadaro was added to the staff as Director of Children's Music.
On June 22, 1986 a Service of Ordination took place at Our Saviour Lutheran for Terry Lynn Rommereim.
Pastor John Foster accepted our Letter of Call and was installed on September 7, 1986.
On June 7, 1987 Our Saviour Lutheran Church celebrated its 25th anniversary. The celebration was attended by all our former pastors.
On June 5, 1989 Arlene Myers resigned from Our Saviour Lutheran Church and moved to Kirkland, WA.
In December 1989 we refinanced the In-house Loan Program with Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance Company.
On June 24, 1990 a Service of Ordination took place at Our Saviour Lutheran Church for Thomas Edward Goellrich.
Pastor John Foster resigned effective June 30, 1991 to accept a call in Arlington, Texas.
Pastor Robert O'Berg accepted our Letter of Call and was installed on December 22, 1991.
In September 1992 we called Kaye Bloore to be Director of Our Saviour Lutheran Preschool.
On December 5, 1992 Our Saviour celebrated its 30th year anniversary. A number of our charter members attended.
In October 1994, Our Saviour Lutheran Church sanctuary was refurbished due in part to the January 17th earthquake.
In 1994 The Rejoice! Band was formed and Directed by Steve Venz, to perform at 9:45 A.M. progressive services.
Pastor Robert M. O'Berg announced his resignation on December 13th, 1998 to accept a call in Fresno, California.
In November 1999, Johanna Stienstra was added to the staff as our part-time Youth Director.
In June 2000, Kaye Bloore resigned as Director of Our Saviour Lutheran Preschool.
After 21 years of service, Pastor Robert Eichele, gave his letter of resignation and retired from Our Saviour Lutheran Church
on June 10, 2000. In celebration of Pastor Robert Eichele's legacy the hall was named in his honor, and now proudly bears
it's current name of "Eichele Hall".
In August 2000 Terry Labrum was called as Director of Our Saviour Lutheran Preschool.
Pastor Gary Stevenson accepted a call to join Our Saviour Lutheran Church, as Senior Pastor in 2002
Our
Saviour Celebrates it's 40th Anniversary, and is joined by many of our former
Pastors, as well as the Bishop of the Synod,
joined us for a tremendous
service and luncheon following.
In 2006 Elizabeth Hood was hired as a part-time Youth Director, taking over in a long vacated position.
The best is yet to come!
Page Visits since October 7, 2006