Pacific Southwest District (LCMS)

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The Pacific Southwest District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS). It covers Southern California (the eight southernmost counties in California, including the Los Angeles metropolitan area), Arizona and the southern tip of Nevada, and includes nearly 300 congregations subdivided into 32 circuits, as well as 120 preschools, 76 elementary schools and 9 high schools with a total enrollment of 21,000. The rest of California and Nevada is included in the California-Nevada-Hawaii District; one Arizona congregation is in the Rocky Mountain District. In addition, 28 congregations in the Pacific Southwest District's area are in the non-geographic English District – 17 in Arizona, 6 in the San Diego area and 5 in the Los Angeles area. Baptized membership of Pacific Southwest congregations is over 100,000.

The Pacific Southwest District was formed on July 2, 1930 as the Southern California District, separating it from the California and Nevada District. District offices are located in Irvine, California; the Rev. Dr. Larry Stoterau has been the district president since September 2000, and was reelected to a third term in 2006 [1]. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers; the last convention was held on June 25-27, 2006, and the next will be in 2009.

Concordia University, Irvine, part of the LCMS' Concordia University System, is located within the district.

1 Presidents
2 Oldest congregations
3 Largest congregations
4 Congregations and missions
5 External links

[edit] Presidents

Rev. Gotthold H. F. Smukal, 1930-42
Rev. Walter F. Troeger, 1942-48
Rev. Armand E. T. Mueller, 1948-55
Rev. Victor L. Behnken, 1955-69
Rev. Arnold G. Kuntz, 1969-85
Rev. Loren T. Kramer, 1985-2000
Rev. Larry A. Stoterau, 2000-present

[edit] Oldest congregations

1882 - Saint John's Lutheran Church, Orange, California
1882 - Trinity Central Lutheran Church, Wilshire Park, Los Angeles, California
1892 - First Lutheran Church of Pasadena, Pasadena, California
1895 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Encanto, San Diego, California
1897 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Oxnard, California
1903 - Zion Lutheran Church, Anaheim, California
1905 - Christ Lutheran Church, Vermont Square, Los Angeles, California
1905 - First Lutheran Church, Long Beach, California
1906 - Grace Lutheran Church, Vermont Square, Los Angeles, California
1906 - St. John's Lutheran Church, Montebello, California
1906 - Trinity Lutheran Church, San Bernardino, California
1907 - Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Orange, California
1908 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Whittier, California
1909 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Riverside, California
1909 - Trinity Cristo Rey Lutheran Church, Santa Ana, California
1911 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Covina, California
1912 - Grace Lutheran Church, Hillcrest, San Diego, California
1913 - Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Santa Monica, California
1915 - Emanuel Lutheran Church, Santa Barbara, California
1919 - Grace Lutheran Church, Escondido, California

Oldest in Arizona: Calvary Lutheran Church, Yuma, Arizona, 1931
Oldest in Nevada: First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1940

[edit] Largest congregations

Membership totals are c. 2006.

5277 - Saint John's Lutheran Church, Orange, California
2751 - Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, California
2312 - Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Orange, California
1921 - Bethany Lutheran Church, Long Beach, California
1812 - Christs Greenfield Lutheran Church, Gilbert, Arizona
1626 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Oxnard, California
1600 - Our Savior Lutheran Church, Arcadia, California
1434 - Fountain of Life Lutheran Church, Tucson, Arizona
1414 - Grace Lutheran Church, Escondido, California
1375 - Faith Lutheran Church, Vista, California
1356 - Zion Lutheran Church, Anaheim, California
1350 - Christ Lutheran Church, Costa Mesa, California
1321 - First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada
1283 - Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, Arizona
1232 - Faith Community Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada
1208 - Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Chandler, Arizona
1160 - Christ Lutheran Church, Brea, California
1136 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Riverside, California
1108 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Simi Valley, California
1098 - Community Lutheran Church, Escondido, California
1095 - Christ Lutheran Church, La Mesa, California
1058 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Litchfield Park, Arizona

[edit] Congregations and missions

Congregations established prior to 1930, or having 600 or more members, are noted (membership figures are c. 2006); in the absence of one or both of these within a circuit, the oldest and/or largest congregation is noted.

Circuit 1

Emanuel Lutheran Church, Santa Barbara, California - est. 1915
Faith Lutheran Church, Carpinteria, California
First Lutheran Church, Ventura, California
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Goleta, California - 629 members
Grace Lutheran Church, Ventura, California - 800 members
Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Ojai, California
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Santa Ynez, California

Circuit 2

Centro Cristiano Hispano Lutheran Church, Santa Paula, California
Centro Cristiano Redwood Lutheran Church, Oxnard, California
Christ the King Lutheran Church, Newbury Park, California
Faith Lutheran Church, Moorpark, California
First Lutheran Church, Camarillo, California
Peace Lutheran Church, Camarillo, California
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks, California
Saint John Lutheran Church, Oxnard, California - est. 1897; 1626 members
Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Agoura Hills, California

Circuit 3

Canoga Park Lutheran Church, Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California - est. 1945
Central Zion Korean Lutheran Mission, Northridge, Los Angeles, California
El Redentor Lutheran Church, Panorama City, Los Angeles, California
Good News for All Nations Lutheran Mission, Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Winnetka, Los Angeles, California
Our Savior First Lutheran Church, Granada Hills, Los Angeles, California
Peace Lutheran Church, Lake View Terrace, Los Angeles, California
Trinity Lutheran Church, Reseda, Los Angeles, California
Trinity Lutheran Church, Simi Valley, California - 1108 members

Circuit 4

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Santa Clarita, California - 701 members
Christ Lutheran Church, Burbank, California
Faith Lutheran Church, Tujunga, Los Angeles, California
First Lutheran Church, Burbank, California - est. 1921
First Lutheran Church, San Fernando, California - est. 1929
First Lutheran Church, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California - est. 1920
Gethsemane Lutheran Church, La Crescenta, California
West Valley Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Castaic, California
Zion Lutheran Church, Glendale, California - est. 1923

Circuit 5

Ascension Lutheran Church, Torrance, California - 733 members
Concordia Lutheran Church, Inglewood, California
First Lutheran Church, Manhattan Beach, California
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Inglewood, California
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Redondo Beach, California - est. 1925
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Westchester, Los Angeles, California
Saint John Lutheran Church, El Segundo, California
Saint Philip Lutheran Church, Compton, California

Circuit 6

Ark of Noah Lutheran Church, Palms, Los Angeles, California
Christ Lutheran Church, Vermont Square, Los Angeles, California - est. 1905
Faith Lutheran Church, Inglewood, California
Faith Lutheran Church, South Los Angeles, California - est. 1925
First Lutheran Church of Culver City and Palms, Palms, Los Angeles, California - est. 1927
First Lutheran Church of Venice, Venice, Los Angeles, California - 331 members
Grace Lutheran Church, Vermont Square, Los Angeles, California - est. 1906
Hope Memorial Lutheran Church, Crenshaw, Los Angeles, California
La Santa Cruz Lutheran Church, Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Beverly Hills, California
Palisades Lutheran Church, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California
Pilgrim Deaf Lutheran Church, Koreatown, Los Angeles, California
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Santa Monica, California - est. 1913
Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Jefferson Park, Los Angeles, California - est. 1925
Trinity Central Lutheran Church, Wilshire Park, Los Angeles, California - est. 1882
University Lutheran Chapel, Westwood, Los Angeles, California
Young Kwang Lutheran Mission, Koreatown, Los Angeles, California

Circuit 7

Emmaus Lutheran Church, Alhambra, California - est. 1923
Faith Lutheran Church, Pasadena, California
First Lutheran Church of Pasadena, Pasadena, California - est. 1892
First Lutheran Church, Temple City, California
Grace Lutheran Mission, Temple City, California
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Pasadena, California - est. 1925
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Arcadia, California - 1600 members
Zion Lutheran Church, Rosemead, California

Circuit 8

Faith Arabic Lutheran Mission, Whittier, California
Faith Lutheran Church, Whittier, California - 571 members
Hope Lutheran Church, Whittier, California
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Diamond Bar, California
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, La Mirada, California
St. John's Lutheran Church, Montebello, California - est. 1906
Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Norwalk, California
Trinity Lutheran Church, Whittier, California - est. 1908

Circuit 9

Concordia Lutheran Church, Cerritos, California
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Downey, California - 560 members
Messiah Lutheran Church, Downey, California
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Bellflower, California
Palabra de Dios Lutheran Mission, Maywood, California
Peace Lutheran Church, Pico Rivera, California
Peace Lutheran Church, South Gate, California
Redeemer Lutheran Church, South Gate, California - est. 1924
San Pedro y San Pablo Lutheran Church, Bell Gardens, California

Circuit 10

Bethany Lutheran Church, Long Beach, California - 1921 members
Christ Lutheran Church, Rancho Palos Verdes, California - est. 1925; 740 members
First Lutheran Church, Long Beach, California - est. 1905
Grace Lutheran Church, Long Beach, California
Saint John Lutheran Church, Long Beach, California
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Harbor City, California
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Long Beach, California

Circuit 11

First Lutheran Church, El Monte, California
First Lutheran Church, Monrovia, California - est. 1926
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, La Puente, California
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hacienda Heights, California
Hope Lutheran Church, Glendora, California - 607 members
Immanuel First Lutheran Church, West Covina, California
La Santa Cruz Lutheran Church, La Puente, California
Saint John Lutheran Church, Covina, California - est. 1911
Trinity Lutheran Church, Covina, California

Circuit 12

Christ Lutheran Church, Costa Mesa, California - 1350 members
Faith Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach, California
Good News Korean Lutheran Church, Garden Grove, California
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Cypress, California
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Huntington Beach, California
St Paul's Lutheran Church, Garden Grove, California - est. 1951
Vietnamese Lutheran Church, Garden Grove, California
Vietnamese Lutheran of Orange County, Anaheim, California

Circuit 13

Hephatha Lutheran Church, Anaheim, California
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Orange, California - est. 1922
Saint John's Lutheran Church, Orange, California - est. 1882; 5277 members
Saint Luke's Lutheran Church, Westminster, California
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Orange, California - est. 1907; 2312 members
Salem Lutheran Church, Orange, California - 742 members
Searchlight Ministries Lutheran Church, Fullerton, California

Circuit 14

Bethel Lutheran Church, Buena Park, California
Christ Lutheran Church, Brea, California - 1160 members
Messiah Lutheran Church, Buena Park, California
New Covenant Korea Lutheran Church, Fullerton, California
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Anaheim, California
Saint Stephen's Lutheran Church, Fullerton, California
True Love Lutheran Church, Fullerton, California
Zion Lutheran Church, Anaheim, California - est. 1903; 1356 members

Circuit 15

Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, California - 2751 members
Faith Lutheran Church, Capistrano Beach, California
Light of Christ Lutheran Church, Irvine, California
Mount Hope Community Lutheran Church, Rancho Santa Margarita, California
One Faith Korean Lutheran Mission, Irvine, California
Peace Lutheran Church, North Tustin, California
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Laguna Beach, California
Trinity Cristo Rey Lutheran Church, Santa Ana, California - est. 1909

Circuit 16

Christ the King Lutheran Church, Redlands, California
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Yucaipa, California
First Lutheran Church, Fontana, California - est. 1925
Grace Lutheran Church, Banning, California - est. 1926
Grace Lutheran Church, Rialto, California
Iglesia Luterana La Santisima Trinidad, Fontana, California
La Santisima Trinidad Iglesia, San Bernardino, California
Messiah Lutheran Church, Highland, California
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Crest Park, California - 424 members
Saint John Lutheran Church, Colton, California
Shepherd in the Pines Lutheran Church, Big Bear Lake, California
Trinity Lutheran Church, San Bernardino, California - est. 1906

Circuit 17

Christ the King Lutheran Church, Walnut, California
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Chino, California
Indonesian Lutheran Church, Claremont, California
Loving Savior Chinese Lutheran Mission, Chino Hills, California
Loving Savior of the Hills Lutheran Church, Chino Hills, California
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Ontario, California - 903 members
Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Claremont, California
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Pomona, California - est. 1920
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Rancho Cucamonga, California - 997 members
Trinity Lutheran Church, Montclair, California

Circuit 18

Faith Lutheran Church, Riverside, California
First Lutheran Church, Lake Elsinore, California
Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Riverside, California
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Menifee, California
Grace Korean Lutheran Church, Moreno Valley, California
Grace Lutheran Church, Corona, California
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Riverside, California - est. 1909; 1136 members
Mount Calvary Deaf Lutheran Church, Anaheim, California
Promise Lutheran Church, Murrieta, California
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Perris, California
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Moreno Valley, California

Circuit 19

Centro Cristiano Fuente de Vida Lutheran Church, San Jacinto, California
Christ Lutheran Church, Desert Hot Springs, California
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Yucca Valley, California
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Twentynine Palms, California
Light of Life Lutheran Mission, Indio, California
Our Savior's Community Lutheran Church, Palm Springs, California
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hemet, California - 774 members
St. John's Lutheran Church, Hemet, California - est. 1928; 623 members
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Anza, California
Trinity Lutheran Church, Indio, California

Circuit 20

Ascension Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, California
Concordia Lutheran Church, Barstow, California
Faith Lutheran Church, Hesperia, California
First Lutheran Church, Palmdale, California
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tehachapi, California
Grace Lutheran Church, Bishop, California
Grace Lutheran Church, Lancaster, California - est. 1921; 810 members
Mammoth Lakes Lutheran Church, Mammoth Lakes, California
Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Ridgecrest, California
Resurrection Lutheran Church, Boron, California
Resurrection Lutheran Church, Quartz Hill, California
Trinity Lutheran Church, California City, California
Zion Lutheran Church, Victorville, California

Circuit 21

Faith Lutheran Church, Vista, California - 1375 members
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Oceanside, California
New Community Lutheran Church, Temecula, California
Redeemer by the Sea Lutheran Church, Carlsbad, California
Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Encinitas, California - est. 1945
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Oceanside, California
Zion Lutheran Church, Fallbrook, California - 691 members

Circuit 22

Christ the Cornerstone Lutheran Church, Mira Mesa, San Diego, California
Community Lutheran Church, Escondido, California - 1098 members
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Escondido, California
Grace Lutheran Church, Escondido, California - est. 1919; 1414 members
Light of the Valley Lutheran Church, Valley Center, California
Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Poway, California
Ramona Lutheran Church, Ramona, California

Circuit 23

Atonement Lutheran Church, Spring Valley, California
Concordia Lutheran Church, Chula Vista, California
Lutheran Church of Joy, Chula Vista, California
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, City Heights, San Diego, California
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Chula Vista, California - 744 members
Resurrection Lutheran Church, Coronado, California
Saint James Lutheran Church, Imperial Beach, California
Trinity Lutheran Church, Encanto, San Diego, California - est. 1895

Circuit 24

Bethany Lutheran Church, Ocean Beach, San Diego, California
Celebration of Faith Lutheran Church, Santee, California
Christ Lutheran Church, La Mesa, California - 1095 members
Faith Lutheran Church, City Heights, San Diego, California
Grace Lutheran Church, Hillcrest, San Diego, California - est. 1912
Grace Street Mission Lutheran Church, Hillcrest, San Diego, California
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Clairemont, San Diego, California
Medhanialem Ethiopian Christian Fellowship, City Heights, San Diego, California
Peace Lutheran Church, Linda Vista, San Diego, California
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Allied Gardens, San Diego, California
Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Pacific Beach, San Diego, California
University Lutheran Church, La Jolla, San Diego, California

Circuit 25

Calvary Lutheran Church, Yuma, Arizona - est. 1931 (oldest in Arizona)
Christ Lutheran Church, Yuma, Arizona - 620 members
Grace Lutheran Church, El Centro, California
Iglesia Lutherana Alfa y Omega Church, El Centro, California
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Holtville, California - est. 1929
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Yuma, Arizona
Trinity Lutheran Church, Brawley, California
Zion Lutheran Church, Blythe, California

Circuit 26

Apostles Lutheran Church, Peoria, Arizona - 813 members
Atonement Lutheran Church, Glendale, Arizona
Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, Phoenix, Arizona - 729 members
Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, Arizona - 942 members
King of Kings Lutheran Church, Peoria, Arizona
Lutheran Church of the Master, Phoenix, Arizona
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Phoenix, Arizona - est. 1950
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wickenburg, Arizona
Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Phoenix, Arizona
Santo Tomas Lutheran Mission, Phoenix, Arizona
Summit Community Lutheran Church, Litchfield Park, Arizona
Trinity Lutheran Church, Litchfield Park, Arizona - 1058 members
Word of Life Lutheran Church, Surprise, Arizona

Circuit 27

Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Anthem, Arizona
Desert Foothills Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, Arizona
Grace Lutheran Church, Black Canyon City, Arizona
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, Arizona - est. 1960
Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Phoenix, Arizona
Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, Arizona - 1283 members
Trinity Lutheran Church, Fountain Hills, Arizona

Circuit 28

Faith Lutheran Church, Cottonwood, Arizona
Fountain of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City, Arizona - 552 members
Grace Community Lutheran Mission, Rimrock, Arizona
Life in Christ Lutheran Church, Peoria, Arizona
Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Peoria, Arizona
Mountain of Faith Lutheran Church, Cordes Lakes, Arizona
Peace Lutheran Church, Flagstaff, Arizona - est. 1965
Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, Sedona, Arizona
Saving Grace Lutheran Church, Chino Valley, Arizona
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Prescott, Arizona
Trinity Lutheran Church, Prescott Valley, Arizona

Circuit 29

Christ Lutheran Church, Coolidge, Arizona
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Chandler, Arizona - 632 members
Fountain of Life Lutheran Church, Tucson, Arizona - 1434 members
Hope Lutheran Church, Bisbee, Arizona - est. 1954
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sierra Vista, Arizona
Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Chandler, Arizona - 1208 members
Saving Grace Lutheran Church, Queen Creek, Arizona
Trinity Lutheran Church, Casa Grande, Arizona

Circuit 30

Alleluia Lutheran Church, Tempe, Arizona
Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Tempe, Arizona - est. 1960
Christs Greenfield Lutheran Church, Gilbert, Arizona - 1812 members
Eternal Life Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona
Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Tempe, Arizona - 745 members
Hosanna Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona - 608 members
Mountain View Lutheran Church, Apache Junction, Arizona
Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona - 997 members

Circuit 31

Faith Community Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada - 1232 members
Grace Lutheran Church, Needles, California - est. 1937
Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Lamb of God Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada - 823 members
Living Christ Lutheran Church, Laughlin, Nevada
Mountain View Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada - 742 members
Saint John Lutheran Church, Bullhead City, Arizona
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Pahrump, Nevada

Circuit 32

Christ Lutheran Church, Boulder City, Nevada
First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada - est. 1940; 1321 members
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Kingman, Arizona
Grace Lutheran Church, Henderson, Nevada
Mesquite Lutheran Church, Mesquite, Nevada
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Henderson, Nevada
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada