Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1950, Page 70

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70 Proceedings of the Forty-First Convention,

The neighborhood in which it has been carrying on its work is now
a little more than half Negro. The trend is slowly but steadily
toward becoming altogether Negro. In leaving the area, Trinity
Congregation is anxious to see its property used for the initial
venture in Negro mission work; and while other denominations
have made them generous. offers for their property in order to
work among the Negroes, this congregation is anxiously hoping
that our own'Church will be able to take over. Within a radius
of a mile or less of Trinity between 8,000 and 9,000 Negroes live
at the present time. This is our best mission opportunity among
the colored people in the Northwest.

The Seattle congregations of the Synodical Conference are
vitally interested in this work. If the necessary funds can be raised
to acquire the Trinity property, we shall, with the blessings of
God, be on the way.

THE CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA DISTRICT
The Rev. O. H. Reinboth, Secretary of Missions and Stewardship

Bethlehem, Oakland, Calif.

Bethlehem had its beginning in the year of the “Crash”; for
Bethlehem held its first service July 18, 1929, in Carpenter’s Hall,
West Oakland. Pastor John McDavid of Los Angeles had gathered
three Lutherans from New Orleans, whom he served on the third
Sunday of each month. Soon he turned the infant congregation
over to Professor O. Theiss, then teaching at California Concordia
College. On January 4, 1931, the congregation dedicated its present
house of worship. With the aid of a $3,000 grant from the Synodical
Conference Missionary Board, the building was purchased from
the Latter Day Saints, redecorated, and an altar niche added.
During the next nine years Professor Theiss served the congrega-
tion in his spare time, being relieved only for about a year by
Pastor F. Hess. For the next four years Professor A. H. Wessling
of California Concordia College took over. He added an afternoon
service once a month in San Francisco and persuaded the Mission-
ary Board to secure a full-time worker. Thus Pastor C. Cline
was called to serve Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, Richmond, San
Francisco, and El Centro. He was ordained and commissioned in
Bethlehem, March 4, 1945. On June 7, 1946, the congregation was
organized and incorporated. Two years later it was accepted as.
a member of the California and Nevada District of The Lutheran
Church —- Missouri Synod. Besides having a new roof put on
the building, the members painted it inside and outside and laid an
asphalt tile floor in the church proper.

Our Work in Oakland Today

In 1945 a canvass of the West Oakland area, conducted jointly
by Zion Lutheran and Bethlehem Lutheran Churches, indicated
that there were few unchurched people in the area. Work has been
carried on all over the Bay area, being done for the most part
through instruction classes in private homes with people who may
not even enter our church until after they have finished their
instruction. Sometimes distance or Sunday work has kept them
away even then. But the future is far brighter because of the fine