History of Christ Lutheran Church and Oromo Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church

In 1951 Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (CELC) began as a small mission in the Green Shutter Hotel in Hayward. During the summer of 1950, Lutherans of Scandinavian and German background in the San Lorenzo area got a vision of forming a Lutheran Church and they began meeting in homes. In October 1950, they called Pastor Charles Curtis and one month later in November 1950, they started the first official worship service of Christ Lutheran Church at the Green Shutter Hotel on Main Street in Hayward with 43 people in attendance. On March 25, 1951, the Charter Membership Rolls were completed with 101 confirmed members. The church was affiliated with the national Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church, which had Swedish roots.

At that time, pastor Curtis canvassed the neighborhood for members and met Mrs. Allie Davis Strobridge, who owned the land across from the current buildings. She told him she would like to see a church across the street from her house, and in December 1951, she gave the church an acre of land on the corner of Hacienda, Hathaway and Via Toledo streets. So, dreams began for the church and Nazareth Lutheran Church of Turlock mortgaged its church property to loan the new congregation $20,000 as seed money to begin building the church.

The ground work was broken on July 17, 1952 and the Chapel and adjoining Education Building were dedicated on May 24, 1953. The building was constructed entirely with volunteer help, including help from the neighborhood. In 1958, additional property was bought to accommodate a Parsonage (house of the clergy) and Parking Lot. On January 4, 1962, ground was broken for the current Sanctuary. They again built with much volunteer labor and on March 10, 1963, that new building was dedicated for the Christ Lutheran Church. San Lorenzo was a new and fast-growing community after World War II. In the 1970’s church membership swelled to 1,576 at its peak with 700 children in its Sunday School. During its 56 years of ministry, Christ Lutheran Church was served by eight pastors,  three Interim Pastors, and one Lay Assistant Minister. It’s amazing to think how this church was established.

When we come to the establishment of Oromo Church in the Bay area, it was almost the same with the history of how Christ Lutheran Church was grounded at this location. Few years ago before 2007, a group of Oromo people gathered together with the desire to plant Afaan Oromo speaking church to have Oromo speaking congregation in the area. They started their gathering at 540 Callnan Ave, San Leandro, CA 94577 at some body’s apartment. Gradually, the group found a place of worship in San Leandro and they continued the ministry. Pastor Guta Yadeta joined them at San Leandro church and they moved to Good Shepheard Lutheran Church in Fremont California holding the name Bay area Oromo Christian Fellowship. In April 01, 2007 Christ Evangelical Lutheran church welcomed us to use their facility. Within less than a year, they came to decision on Saturday, June 16, 2007 to transfer their property to the OCELC. Now, it has been 12 years since Oromo Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (OCELC) started its ministry at the San Lorenzo location and registered as a none profit organization under the State of California and with IRS. We have a reason to celebrate God’s faithfulness to the church’s Ministry. We have seen God do and bring much in the lives of people through our relationship with God and with one another.

Christ Lutheran Church held a final worship service for the congregation and for the community on Saturday, July 26, 2008 and Oromo Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church started managing the management of the property until it was officially transferred to us by Sierra Pacific Synod on February 11, 2017.

Rules and Regulation of OCELC