In 1920, the Augustana Synod (then the Swedish branch of the Lutheran Church) established a congregation in Palo Alto, California, as a mission to Swedish immigrants living in the area. By 1925, the congregation was able to build a church and fellowship hall on the corner of Homer Avenue and Webster Street.
The names of the original members were all recognizably Swedish: Carlson, Johnson, Swanson, Trodson, Pearson. Now our congregation includes names from many different cultures: Haletky, Hariguchi, Barich, Leong and many more. We welcome people of all cultural and religious backgrounds, races, and gender orientations.
Our congregation has roots in Lutheran faith traditions, but we express and discuss a variety of beliefs as well as contemporary issues. Our style of worship is based on the traditional ecumenical and Lutheran liturgies with frequent variations and forays into folk and comtemporary modes. Excellence in music is always a focus.
Click on the images to learn about our pastors …
BERTRAM SWANSON 1920-1921
ELMER FRIEDLUND 1921-1922
WALTER PETERSON 1922-1923
JOHN BILLDT 1923-1925
C.R.E. FRIEDSTROM 1925-1929
ERIC HEURLIN 1930-1932
N. EVERETT HEDEEN 1932-1936
CLARENCE ELMER CARLSTROM 1936-1945
PAUL FRYKMAN 1945-1950
THEODORE JOHNSTONE 1951-1967
ROBERT HERHOLD 1967-1969
HAROLD VARNER 1968-1970
JOHN ARTHUR 1970-1976
RONALD SHONK 1976-1980
KENNETH BAUMHOFF 1980-1982
Community
Find us
600 Homer Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-322-4669