Our History ...

We've come a long way since our early days at the race track!

Here's an undated photo from our early days.

Our First Confirmation Class -- 1961

1st row (right to left):  Susan Boswell, John Clauson,
Richard Dawson, Gary Boswell
2nd row (beginning with the second girl):  Sandra Gast,
Georgette Maxwell, Pastor Carl H. Roessler, (name unknown),
Ranette Maxwell, (name unknown)

        Bethlehem Lutheran Church could well be called a church on the move.  It was first put into motion during the summer of 1960 when the former United Lutheran Church in America assigned a newly-ordained minister, the reverend Carl H. Roessler, to develop a mission congregation in the area of Rossmoor, the first walled-community in Orange County.  Pastor Roessler was assisted by a retired nurseryman, Mr. Albert Bachman, in the task of knocking on doors to locate people interested in becoming part of a new church.

            Upon arrival, Pastor Roessler found that the community of Los Alamitos had no theater, not mortuary, and no dance hall where a service might be held.  The local Youth Center as well as the county school system had a rule barring the use of their facilities by religious groups.  In desperation, Pastor Roessler approached Mr. Frank Vessels, Sr., owner of the Los Alamitos Race Track.  Mr. Vessels not only agreed to let the new mission hold services at the track, but also provided the facilities without charge.

            The first service of worship was held on September 18, 1960 in the Western Room Clubhouse of the Los Alamitos Race Track.  The cafeteria was used for Sunday School classes which were held at the same hour as worship.

            Because of the unique setting, the Associated Press News Service picked up the story and headline writers across the country rose to the occasion with such quips as “Pastor Tries Longshot” and “Race Track a Good Bet for Church.”  When the list of charter members was found to include the Bet and Luck families, the new mission congregation won attention on nation-wide television and was featured on the “Today Show.”

            Bethlehem Lutheran Church was officially organized as a congregation of the United Lutheran Church in America.

            Midway in 1961 came the chance for another move.  With most of the homes in Rossmoor sold, the sales office buildings became available for purchase.  The congregation relocated to its new home on Rossmoor Way transforming a sales office into a house of worship.  The Service of Entry was held on June 25, 1961.  Sunday School classes and the church office were located in the Parish House, an adjacent home still standing at the corner of Rossmoor Way and Weatherby Road.

            During 1963, the need for additional space for future growth resulted in the next move.  This time the building on Rossmoor Way was placed on wheels and transported to a site in the northwest corner of Rossmoor.  There it was connected to another sales office that had been offered by Mr. Ross Cortese, the builder who had just completed Rossmoor Leisure World in Seal Beach.  During the construction period, the congregation held services and Sunday School in Rossmoor Elementary School.  On March 8, 1964, the Service of Entry was held in the remodeled buildings at the present two-acre site on Katella Avenue at Wallingsford Road.

            Still another move was made November 2, 1980, when the congregation dedicated its permanent sanctuary which seats approximately 250, including choir.  Permanent classrooms and fellowship hall facility were constructed on the site of the old sanctuary, classrooms and fellowship hall.  These facilities were dedicated on March 8, 1987.

 Date of Organization:  April 9, 1961

Pastors who have served the congregation:

The Rev. Carl Roessler               6/1960 – 8/1964
The Rev. Louis Mertz                 Vice Pastor
The Rev. Arthur Foelner             1/1965 – 9/1973
Dr. H. Paul Romeis                    Interim Pastor
The Rev. Bruce Craft                  3/1974 – 9/1982
Dr. Gerald B. Strickler               Interim Pastor
The Rev. Donald W. Helsel         3/1983 – 9/1988
The Rev. Thomas Lange             Interim Pastor
The Rev. Thomas Lange             12/31/1989 - 6/18/2006
The Rev. Mark Will                    Interim Pastor

The document is undated; however, evidence suggests that it was written sometime after 12/31/1989.

                                                                     Last updated 02/02/2008