History
To read about our history on a Sunday morning, view our bricks at the Escondido campus. The bricks list the names of each youth who was confirmed at Community, each staff member added at Community, and major events in our past. Bricks can also be personalized and sponsored by individuals or families. When we come to worship on Sunday mornings, we literally walk on the history of our church, learning to appreciate the gifts of faith given to those who came before us and made Community Lutheran Church the church that it is today.
Timeline of Community Lutheran Church's History
Fall 1987 Grace Lutheran Church in Escondido decides that they will begin a church plant on the east side of Escondido
June 1988 The LCMS purchases 10 acres of land at the corner of Lake Wohldford Rd. and Valley Center Rd.
October 16, 1988 First services of Community Lutheran Church are held at Orange Glen Elementary School led by Rev. Dr. Charles Keturakat
April 30, 1989 There are now 153 charter members. Charter member picnic is held.
June 1989 Worship services are moved to Grant Middle School (now called Mission Middle School).
November 18, 1989 Pastor William Vogelsang is installed as the new pastor of Community Lutheran Church.
July 1990 Worship services are moved to Hidden Valley Middle School.
November 1990 Pete Van Deloo is elected the first president of Community Lutheran Church.
March 1, 1992 Groundbreaking of new church building.
December 24, 1992 First worship service is held in the new sanctuary (now Keturakat Hall) on Christmas Eve.
January 1993 Community Lutheran Preschool opens.
February 4, 1994 Library opens and is dedicated.
September 15, 2001 Dedication of new Ministries Building.
September 18, 2005 Dedication of new Columbarium.
June 2006 Community Lutheran Youth travel for their first overseas mission trip.
August 26, 2007 A groundbreaking ceremony is held for the new sanctuary.
May 2008 The new drama ministry performs its first play, "Our Town."
January 25, 2009 Dedication of new sanctuary.
May 2009 Community Lutheran Church serves the community in the first Faith in Action Sunday.
Spring 2011 The offices in Keturakat Hall are converted into a counseling center.
January 15, 2012 Community Lutheran Church becomes a multi-site church by launching a satellite in San Marcos with Vicar Joel Beyer and Pastor Tom Meyer.
"Community Lutheran Church doesn't have a long history, but we have been busy in these short years. Our goal has been to be active in the community and in His word, connecting the two on a daily basis. You will find this website to be a story of our people sharing their gifts in a variety of ways. I hope you will find your place in the ministries we offer." - Pastor Vogelsang
