Saint Matthew Lutheran Church (Harbor City, California) Official Acts

The first service of this congregation was held on March 14, 1943 in the Women's Clubhouse. the group was served from February - August 1945 by Mr. Elmer Witt, a theology student. In the meantime, the congregation began to meet in the Seventh-Day Adventist church building. The Rev. Arne P. Kristo became the first resident pastor on September 15, 1945. This congregation was organized as Saint Matthew on March 17, 1946. The Southern California District of the LCMS enabled them to purchase property for a church building in June 1947. Groundbreaking for the parish hall was held on February 15, 1948, and the first service was held in the new building on February 27, 1949. The parish hall was dedicatedon June 26, 1949. This congregation disbanded in August 2017.