Grace and Trinity Lutheran Church
An Outline of Events

Trinity Lutheran Church - Burlingame, Ca was originally a part of Grace Evangelical Church.

In 1951, the Grace Congregation seperated into two congregations with the Burlingame Church being reorganized as Trinity Lutheran Church.

October 8, 1922
First Sunday Service at San Mateo Woman’s Clubhouse located at the corner of Santa Inez and El Camino Real.

November 5, 1922
First Sunday School

January 24, 1923
First Ladies Aid Meeting

September 12, 1924
Began Griffith Avenue Building

December 7, 1924
Dedicated Griffith Avenue Building

May 25, 1925
Organized as a congregation

July 1925
Joined the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

March 1927
Purchased Burlingame Lots

August 1935
Two more lots donated

February 2, 1936
Burned the mortgage on the Griffith Avenue property

September 18, 1938
Construction Contract let to Williams for Burlingame church

February 26, 1939
Dedication of Burlingame church

November 1939
Dedication of Parish Hall, Burlingame

February 1940
Sunday School abandoned in San Mateo (Griffith Avenue); moved to Burlingame Church

August 1943
San Mateo (Griffith Avenue) property sold to Plymouth Brethren

May 1944
Purchased three adjoining lots near Burlingame church on El Camino Real for $5100

September 1945
Purchased additional lot for $2270

March 16, 1947
Authorized sale of El Camino lots for $24,500 (This provided startup money for Alemeda de las Pulgas, San Mateo land purchase

April 13, 1947
Voted to buy South San Mateo lots for $15,750

August 29, 1948
Cornerstone laying, San Mateo Parish hall

September 23, 1948
First meeting of 8:O’Clock Circle

December 12, 1948
Dedication of San Mateo Parish Hall

March 28, 1951
A sub-committee feasibility study to separate Grace into separate congregations states:

• "After extended discussion including careful consideration of the history of the congregation…………. That complete separation of the present congregation into separate congregations for Burlingame and San Mateo is both desirable and feasible, and should be undertaken at the earliest possible date."
• An appraisal report of the Burlingame and San Mateo properties was completed by C.W. Hollebaugh, M.A.I.

July 1, 1951
Grace Lutheran Church, Burlingame is reorganized as Trinity Lutheran Church. Weeks of voluntary work by many members preceded this birth date. The first objective was to call a new pastor.

July 8, 1951

Articles of Incorporation for Trinity Lutheran Church have been filed with the Secretary of State.

July 29, 1951
An "Ice Cream Social", sponsored by the Eight O’Clock Circle was held in the parish hall

August 25, 1951
At the Trinity congregational meeting Tuesday, July 31^st, a call was extended to Reverend Paul Huchthausen, professor of classical languages at Condordia College; Oakland, California.

September 2, 1951
A hearty welcome to the new organist, Mr. Oscar Erpenstein.

September 9, 1951
At 4:00 o’clock, the Reverend Huchthausen was installed as pastor of Trinity in a service which included more than 300 friends and members of the church.

September 30, 1951
A bazaar sponsored by the ladies of the parish was a definite success.

October 21, 1951
The choir met at 8:00 o’clock for a reorganizational meeting.

October 21, 1951
The initial meeting of the fall season for all Trinity Walther Leaguers.

October 28, 1951
A new Church Council is elected. Council members are:

• Mr. H. Wampner, President
• Mr. C. Roepke, Vice President
• Mr. L. Hoelter, Secretary
• Mr. F. Glazier, Treasurer
• Mr. R. Abraham
• Mr. A. Henning
• Mr. J. Hafstad
• Mr. R. Knollin
• Rev. P. Huchthausen, ex-officio member

December 2, 1951
A men’s club was formed

December 30, 1951
Pastor starts a series of lectures on Christian fundamentals.

January 6, 1952
The new council is formally installed during the church service.

March 2, 1952
A new sign on the front lawn is installed.

March 30, 1952
A "Conquest for Christ" effort reaches a sum of almost $2700, (including $90.00 given by the Sunday School) in cash and pledges.

 

February 1953"Attractive cut-out letters of wrought iron spelling TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH have been affixed to the front entrance of the church……… Many thanks to the Building and Maintenance Committee, including P. Jordan………..News of the event appeared in a local newspaper.

May 22, 1953
Plans are presented to the voters outlining a "Building Expansion Program". Frank Cary is chairman of the Building and Maintenance Committee and he oversees the construction progress. Volunteers will help keep down the costs. Funds received so far amount to $6,213.02 from a total of 30 families.

February 1954
Concordia A Cappella Choir of Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Neb, sang at Trinity.

June 13. 1954
The building expansion and the new pipe organ are dedicated on Trinity Sunday.