OUR HISTORY
FIFTY-EIGHT YEARS OF MINISTRY IN THE CONEJO VALLEY
SUMMARY OF OUR HISTORY
- September 24, 1959 – Pastor Robert Lawson hosts a meeting in his home to discuss the beginnings of a new Lutheran congregation
- October 4, 1959 – Holy Trinity holds its first worship service in a converted chicken coop
- April 3, 1960 – Holy Trinity holds its first formal worship service in a spruced up chicken coop
- September 15, 1960 – The Augustana Lutheran Church Women of Holy Trinity is formed, laying the groundwork for today’s still-active Dorcas, Ruth, and Mary-Martha fellowship Circles
- October 25, 1960 – Holy Trinity holds its first Sunday School classes during the 9:45 educational hour
- November 1, 1960 – Luther League, Holy Trinity’s youth group, meets for the first time
- January 16, 1961 – land is purchased at the corner of Avenida de Los Arboles and Mount Clef for $30,000
- April 16, 1961 – Ground is broken to begin construction of Holy Trinity’s first building
- October 15, 1961 – A multipurpose room is dedicated to serve as a classroom and sanctuary
- Fall of 1961 – Classes begin at California Lutheran College, and Holy Trinity lends its meeting space to students and professors
- September 23, 1973 – New education building and playground are dedicated, paving the way for Holy Trinity’s Honey Tree ministry
- 1979 – Holy Trinity calls its first female pastor, Reverend Lillyanne Belusa
- 1980s – Muslim families in the Conejo Valley begin using space at Holy Trinity for prayers and other meetings
- April 13, 1986 – A new sanctuary and office building are dedicated on the Holy Trinity campus
- 1980s – Bishops’ Garden is planted on Holy Trinity campus
- 1981 – Adult and youth education as well as visitor outreach efforts are expanded
- 1983 – Holy Trinity hires its first full-time youth director, Steve Dwyer
- 1983 – “Adventures in Faith” radio mission broadcast begins
- 1987 – Conejo Valley Winter Shelter program begins, to serve area homeless community
- 1990s – Pastor James Oines begins tutoring program with Park Oaks School
- 1990s – A board of directors is organized to lead the Ventura County Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice; fair trade coffee becomes the staple drink at all church functions
- 1990s – Rev. Ron Kragthorpe begins ministry to visit hospitalized and homebound individuals
- 1990s – Associate Pastor Janet Hansted Meadors and Children’s Ministry program develop new Sunday School model and redesign First Communion and Confirmation courses
- 2000s – Holy Trinity welcomes its first Parish Nurse, Rose Egertson, to lead wellness education and fitness classes, and coordinate blood drives
- 2000s – Women’s Dorcas Circle Quilting Group begins making quilts for all babies baptized at Holy Trinity
- 2000s – Anna Esmay and Anne Lieberknecht begin ministry at elderly care facility, providing manicures and companionship to bedridden residents
- 2000s – A Peace Pole is erected in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks, to remind church attendees to serve in peacemaking roles in the world
- 2004 – The church library is renovated
- 2005 – Holy Trinity begins its first contemporary-style praise band to lead music during worship
- 2009 – Holy Trinity adolescents attend the ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans and help retain a park destroyed by Hurricane Katrina
- 2009 – Holy Trinity members raise funds to build a bell tower at sister church Espiritu del Gozo (“Spirit of Joy”) in El Salvador
