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Click Here to view an 8 minute narrated video clip of the early years at Messiah Lutheran. This clip was part of the slide show presented at our 25th Anniversary held at the Blackhawk Country Club on October 8, 2004. A complete CD is available in the church office.
Written by Dick Klotz, narrated by Bill
DeHope, video production by Art & Lotty Graham.
The following is a transcription of the text from the video.
1
Alamo Lutheran Church was first formed by a group of dedicated confessional evangelical Lutherans
Christians in May the year of our Lord in 1979.
Their charter was to study, worship and take communion under the worship
of Lutheran ministers and layette with the intent to maintain ties with the
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Their
first meeting as an organized congregation was held in the home of Bert and
Darlene Romatco. The first Baptism was
that of Christina Rose Brown.
2
An announcement in the local news paper, the valley
pioneer invited residents to the congregation’s first service at the Rancho
Romero Elementary School on Hemme Ave. for 9:30 services on July 1, 1979. Attendance was twenty eight with the
oversight of Pastor William Phillip Coldmeyer
3
Early congregational minutes listed the 53 original or
charter members of the congregation of which both Susan Hutchson Al Langner and
Kay Byers still remain members. Bert
Romatco was the first congressional president, Susan Langner the first secretary
and Allison the first youth coordinator.
Among the guest pastors in 1980 were Reverend Walter Luekaman, Kenneth
Freeza and Dr. John Ayland
4
Rancho Romero School became the spiritual home for this
fledging group soon with the addition of the addition of San Ramon Lutherans
who had been worshiping together.
5
With weekly setup of chairs and alter Rancho Romero
became the first physical church for the group an arrangement that lasted for
ten years. In June of 1982 Alamo
Lutheran was received into the English District due in no small part due the
churchmanship and diplomacy of Reverend Dr. George Bornaman then president of
the English District and Reverend Dr. Eno Jansen.
6
On July 11, 1982 Dr. Jansen was installed as the first
resident pastor, moving across the bay after 23 years at West Portal Lutheran
in San Francisco.
7
Pastor Jansen presided over the formation of the Youth
Group and election of the Congregational Officers.
8
Early traditions immediately commenced.
9
The first congregational class in 1983 was that of Cindy
Schott, Jill McCully, Nancy Herrendiene and Scott Greer
10
During the 5 years of Dr. Jansens pastorate, members
chose the name of Messiah Lutheran Church and the congregation grew in grace
and number
11
When Pastor Jansen retired, for brief period in the
absence of a called pastor vacancy pastors Michel Totten, Willian Grenough and Richard Wilkanhaur served
the congregation
12
On July 17, 1998, the Rev. David T Speckles, previously the pastor of Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Redeemer in Oakmont
Pa., was installed as the second resident pastor in a ceremony at St. Timothy’s
on July 7, 1988
13
In 1985 the building program commenced and a contractor
Bill Leer and an architect Jack Ross were selected. George McCully lead as building chairman
14
Five acres on Camino Tassajara were procured on a trade
of three acres in Blackhawk with the Blackhawk Corporation
15
With the new logo, ground breaking took place on August
23, 1987
16
Construction actually commenced on our present house of
worship in October 1988 after funding by the bank of San Ramon Valley and a loan from the Lutheran Church extension
fund were secured
17
There were many major decisions to be made and Danville
building codes to be surmounted. Through
the prolonged 4 long year construction project George McCulley persevered as
the congregational building leadership.
To reduce costs the church was built under a construction management
contract but that just meant more participation by George and his
trustees. One of the biggest crossroads
was the dilemma whether the church should be staged beginning with services in
the fellowship hall and the option to delay the present sanctuary until the debt
could be better managed.
18
Thank the Lord that we were able to forge ahead. As various stages were completed the
congregation participated in commemorations, for example the opportunity to
sign the framing.
19
A series of fund raising events were conducted to sustain
the momentum of the building project as it proceeded
20
The corner stone of the nearly complete new church was
placed following the divine worship service at Rancho Romero school on July 13,
1989
21
Behind the corner stone resides the Holy Bible, book of
Concord, Luther’s small catechism, hymnals, rites of installation and their
service folders, a list of members of the parish and other interesting
historical information.
22
On November 12, 1989 by the grace of God Messiah
celebrated the momentous occasion of church dedication.
23
In 1991 Pastor Steckles accepted a call to West Portal
Lutheran Church in San Francisco.
Interim Pastor Henry Berjarzen
bridged the gap until Pastor Clemit Preuss was installed in April of
1992.
24
Messiahs Youth Group though reconstituted on many
occasions continues to meet to this day.
During the 90’s Edwin Meyers coordinated the activities many of which
were outdoor excursions. Of course
Pastor Steckles was a regular trouper. Among the many destinations were the
Morgan Territory, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and two trips in 1993 to Pigeon Point
and Mt. Herman
25
Often times the Youth Group engaged in less strenuous
activities.
26
One of Messiah’s great prides is that of it’s Summer
Vacation Bible School reaching out to the neighborhood
27
While Pastor Preuss served as shepherd the congregation
grew to greater than 200 communicants and 270 baptized souls. He seemed to have a God given talent of
bringing the church together in otherwise disparaging events and in relating to parishioners often times preparing clever ditties for
social gatherings
28
Alas in 1998 Pastor Pruess accepted a call to Eden Falls
Minnesota
29
While the call committee convened Pastor Robert Roberts
assisted with our worship and Pastor Leland Moseley with our Lenten services.
30
In April 1999 Reverend Peter Ledic was called to Messiah
and installed on August 1st, 1999
31
Pastor Peter Ledic has tenaciously protected our Lutheran
confessional heritage while other churches have drifted toward secularism.
32
He’s taken great pleasure in providing conformation
instruction and has particularly shown the pride while guiding the
congregations own son, Kevin DeHope, as Kevin pursues his seminary education.
33
We thank the Lord for 25 years of abundant and uninterrupted
blessings during our individual pilgrimages here in Danville, California and we
pray for a continuation of his favor.
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