LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1929, Page 121

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Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1929. 121

A Separate District for Southern California.

FaTHERS AND BRETHREN IN CHRIST: —
Synod’s congregations, advisory pastors, and teachers of Circuits
“Y and Four of the California and Nevada District, located in that
: ction of the State of California geographically known as Southern
California, make plea to Synod to establish them as a separate District
be known as the Southern California District of the Ev. Luth.
” od of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, said Southern California
praeriet to include the following Southern California counties: Los
Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial,
Ventura, and Santa Barbara.

To explain our desire in this matter, we beg leave to submit the
following information to the Ven. Synod.

The topography of California, the second largest State in the
Union, naturally divides the State into two distinct centers of popula-
tion, the one being tributary to the San Francisco Bay region and the
other being united to Los Angeles by common economic interests.
Each of these centers of population has had, and is still having, its
separate and distinct development, which has not been without in-
fuence upon the work of our Church.

The congregations, pastors, and teachers in Southern California
signing this petition to Synod for their establishment as a separate
District of Synod are not unmindful of the benefits which have ac-
crued to them and are grateful for the blessings and benefits of spir-
itual fellowship which they have enjoyed in times past through their
membership in the California and Nevada District. Notwithstanding,
however, their reluctance to see organic union with these other mem-
bers of Synod in California dissolved, they feel constrained to seek
and ask for a separate organization for the following reasons: —

Under the blessing of God the number and size of our con-
gregations in Southern California have grown to such an extent that
we believe a separate organization of our own is possible.

The climatic and economic conditions of Southern California
have brought about such an influx of population and such an un-
precedented development in recent years that we believe an organiza-
tion of our own to meet these opportunities is desirable.

The internal affairs of our Church in Southern California have
in the past year developed in such a manner that we believe a District
of our own is imperatively necessary for the harmonious development
of our work in Southern California.

Since there is a large and sparsely settled territory between the
centers of population of the present District, it is now necessary to
transport practically one half of the delegates, pastors, and teachers
of the present District approximately 500 miles either north or south
when conventions are held. :

‘Deak