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Mission STatement
Our purpose is to glorify God by welcoming, people in his love, encouraging commitment to Jesus and equipping in the Spirit to grow and serve in the world"
OUR HISTORY
January 27, 1954 was the first meeting of a steering committee to organize a Lutheran church in Palmdale that would become St. Stephen’s of the Valley Lutheran Church. The first worship service was held February 14, 1954 in the Kiwanis building on 20th St East.
Pastor Robert Thomas was ordained and assumed the pastorate of St. Stephen’s in July, 1954 and was installed July 25, 1954.
Groundbreaking for the church was held on September 4, 1955. The cornerstone was laid on Palm Sunday in 1956. The first service was held in the new chapel on Easter Sunday in April, 1956.
Pastor Thomas was replaced by Pastor William Conrad. The Christian Education building was built during Pastor Conrad’s tenure. The building was named Faith Hall in honor of Pastor Conrad’s wife.
Between 1969 and 1979 St. Stephen’s had 4 pastor’s shepherd the congregation; Pastor Spirer, Pastor John Lundblad, Pastor James Miley and Pastor R. Curtis Jacobson. Each contributed to St. Stephen’s in their own way.
Pastor Ken Simon arrived on October 1, 1979 and was installed on November 11, 1979. Under Pastor Ken’s leadership, construction of a new sanctuary that is used by several community musical groups because of its excellent acoustical design. The original sanctuary is now used by other denominations that do not have a permanent site for their services. On of Pastor Ken’s major strengths, music, was used to institute a contemporary service and to utilize keyboards in worship. During his 19 years here, a grand piano and pipe organ were purchased. Pastor Ken accepted a call to First Lutheran Church in Glendale, California.
Pastor Barry Vail was installed as pastor of St. Stephen’s on October 1, 2000 and officially began work on October 2. Under Pastor Barry’s leadership St. Stephen’s established Supper at Six where those who were under employed could receive a free dinner twice a week. Also a Praise Band was also started at our Contemporary Worship service.
Pastor Barry retired in Oct. of 2015. Interim Pastor Gene Leiter was here from Oct. 2015 – Oct. 2016
Pastor Christopher Hogstad came to St. Stephen’s Oct. 2016 and was installed as pastor in December of 2016. Pastor Chris shepherded us through the time of Pandemic during 2020 and 2021. Learning how to do worship via Zoom was the first of many ways the people of St. Stephen’s maintained a way to worship. Then pivoting to outdoor drive-in worship using an FM transmitter during the colder months. When the weather was better we broke out our lawn chairs and worshipped in the courtyard until Los Angeles County health officials gave the ok to go back inside. Also during this time, St. Stephen’s established a YouTube channel where worship was posted every Sunday, as it is today. Pastor Chris accepted a call in Washington state and his last Sunday was May 8, 2022.
Pastor Jim Fuller and Father Jim Seipel began their tenure at St. Stephen’s Sunday, May 15, 2022. They
will co-pastor St. Stephen’s until either a full time or part time pastor will be called to St. Stephen’s.
Pastor Robert Thomas was ordained and assumed the pastorate of St. Stephen’s in July, 1954 and was installed July 25, 1954.
Groundbreaking for the church was held on September 4, 1955. The cornerstone was laid on Palm Sunday in 1956. The first service was held in the new chapel on Easter Sunday in April, 1956.
Pastor Thomas was replaced by Pastor William Conrad. The Christian Education building was built during Pastor Conrad’s tenure. The building was named Faith Hall in honor of Pastor Conrad’s wife.
Between 1969 and 1979 St. Stephen’s had 4 pastor’s shepherd the congregation; Pastor Spirer, Pastor John Lundblad, Pastor James Miley and Pastor R. Curtis Jacobson. Each contributed to St. Stephen’s in their own way.
Pastor Ken Simon arrived on October 1, 1979 and was installed on November 11, 1979. Under Pastor Ken’s leadership, construction of a new sanctuary that is used by several community musical groups because of its excellent acoustical design. The original sanctuary is now used by other denominations that do not have a permanent site for their services. On of Pastor Ken’s major strengths, music, was used to institute a contemporary service and to utilize keyboards in worship. During his 19 years here, a grand piano and pipe organ were purchased. Pastor Ken accepted a call to First Lutheran Church in Glendale, California.
Pastor Barry Vail was installed as pastor of St. Stephen’s on October 1, 2000 and officially began work on October 2. Under Pastor Barry’s leadership St. Stephen’s established Supper at Six where those who were under employed could receive a free dinner twice a week. Also a Praise Band was also started at our Contemporary Worship service.
Pastor Barry retired in Oct. of 2015. Interim Pastor Gene Leiter was here from Oct. 2015 – Oct. 2016
Pastor Christopher Hogstad came to St. Stephen’s Oct. 2016 and was installed as pastor in December of 2016. Pastor Chris shepherded us through the time of Pandemic during 2020 and 2021. Learning how to do worship via Zoom was the first of many ways the people of St. Stephen’s maintained a way to worship. Then pivoting to outdoor drive-in worship using an FM transmitter during the colder months. When the weather was better we broke out our lawn chairs and worshipped in the courtyard until Los Angeles County health officials gave the ok to go back inside. Also during this time, St. Stephen’s established a YouTube channel where worship was posted every Sunday, as it is today. Pastor Chris accepted a call in Washington state and his last Sunday was May 8, 2022.
Pastor Jim Fuller and Father Jim Seipel began their tenure at St. Stephen’s Sunday, May 15, 2022. They
will co-pastor St. Stephen’s until either a full time or part time pastor will be called to St. Stephen’s.
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The Evangelical Lutheran church
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SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA SYNOD
While connected to the ELCA at a national level, St. Stephen's is a part
of the Southwest California Synod; a group of 120 churches located in the Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties of California. Click here to learn more about our Synod. |