History:

In the summer of 1947, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of California requested the Board of American Missions of the United Lutheran Church in America to send a Pastor-Developer into the La Cañada, La Crescenta and Montrose area. These communities are situated at the base of the western end of the San Gabriel Mountains, near NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Pasadena's Rose Bowl, about 10 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

The Reverend John P. Stump was called from New York City, and on September 28, 1947, the first Service of Worship was held in the American Legion hall in Verdugo City, west of the church's present location. Lutheran Church in the Foothills was formally organized on February 19, 1948.
Construction begins on the chapel

As membership increased, it was decided to buy property and erect a Chapel. Two and one-half acres of land on Foothill Boulevard were purchased in 1949. The Chapel was dedicated on September 17, 1950, and this building now serves as our Fellowship Hall. By 1952, the congregation was able to add Sunday School classrooms, offices and a patio, with much of the work done by members themselves. This facility served the congregation well until the present Sanctuary was dedicated on December 19, 1965.

Most recently, the Reverend Amon Johnson, Jr., served as our Interim Pastor for two years after serving for 30 years at Hill Avenue Grace Lutheran in Pasadena.

Our current Pastor, Reverend Bruce Johnson, came to us in December, 2002, having previously served parishes including those in Nebraska and Colorado. A native of South Dakota, he and Gwen have three children who all graduated from California Lutheran University.