September 25, 1960
Rev. Carl E. Nelson was commissioned as missionary at large for the Southern California District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Pastor Nelson was ordained July 10, 1960 at Mayville, Wisconsin and was a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis.
October 2, 1960
First service held at 11:00 am at 9978 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Pastor Nelson's sermon title was "God's Answer in Time of Need." The choir of Pilgrim Lutheran Church provided music.
January 22, 1961
The first members received into communicant membership included Mr. & Mrs. Ivan Blaettler and Tom, Mr. & Mrs. Ken Camp, Mr & Mrs. Robert Rasmussen, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Schnick and Janice, Mrs. Lucille Varley, Mr. & Mrs. Roy Wentzel and Pastor Nelson and his wife, Ruth.
June 24, 1962
Pastor Nelson preached his farewell service as he accepted a call to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Detroit, MI. The congregation at that time had grown to 54 baptized members including 29 communicants. During the vacancy, pulpit supply pastors were used.
October 7, 1962
Rev. Norman A. Schneider was commissioned as missionary at large for the Southern California District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Rev. Schneider was ordained July 29, 1962 at his home congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Louis. He was called to start a mission church in Chula Vista and also swerve Atonement until another pastor could be called. Pastor Schneider felt that God wanted him to remain at Atonement. Rev. William Geick of Salt Lake City was called to the Chula Vista parish.
Rev. Carl E. Nelson was commissioned as missionary at large for the Southern California District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Pastor Nelson was ordained July 10, 1960 at Mayville, Wisconsin and was a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis.
October 2, 1960
First service held at 11:00 am at 9978 Campo Road, Spring Valley. Pastor Nelson's sermon title was "God's Answer in Time of Need." The choir of Pilgrim Lutheran Church provided music.
January 22, 1961
The first members received into communicant membership included Mr. & Mrs. Ivan Blaettler and Tom, Mr. & Mrs. Ken Camp, Mr & Mrs. Robert Rasmussen, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Schnick and Janice, Mrs. Lucille Varley, Mr. & Mrs. Roy Wentzel and Pastor Nelson and his wife, Ruth.
June 24, 1962
Pastor Nelson preached his farewell service as he accepted a call to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Detroit, MI. The congregation at that time had grown to 54 baptized members including 29 communicants. During the vacancy, pulpit supply pastors were used.
October 7, 1962
Rev. Norman A. Schneider was commissioned as missionary at large for the Southern California District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Rev. Schneider was ordained July 29, 1962 at his home congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Louis. He was called to start a mission church in Chula Vista and also swerve Atonement until another pastor could be called. Pastor Schneider felt that God wanted him to remain at Atonement. Rev. William Geick of Salt Lake City was called to the Chula Vista parish.
May 24, 1964
Ground breaking ceremony was held at Atonement's current location. Robert DesLauriers and John Sigurdson were the architects, Raymond Haas was the contractor, and Robert Schnick served as building chairman. In December the church was granted a special use permit by the county Planning Commission. As a condition of the new permit, the church was required to donate sufficient right-of-way to connect Loma Rancho Drive to Scenic Terrace, and, in turn, a connection with Cristobal Drive.
December 6 & 13, 1964
Atonement dedicates the new worship and educational facilities.
May, 1969
Pastor Schneider preaches his farewell service as he accepted a call to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO. During his vacancy, Chaplin Lawrence Rudolph served the congregation.
June 30, 1970
Rev. Robert Brandt was ordained and installed as Pastor of Atonement Lutheran Church. Pastor Brandt was a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis.
Ground breaking ceremony was held at Atonement's current location. Robert DesLauriers and John Sigurdson were the architects, Raymond Haas was the contractor, and Robert Schnick served as building chairman. In December the church was granted a special use permit by the county Planning Commission. As a condition of the new permit, the church was required to donate sufficient right-of-way to connect Loma Rancho Drive to Scenic Terrace, and, in turn, a connection with Cristobal Drive.
December 6 & 13, 1964
Atonement dedicates the new worship and educational facilities.
May, 1969
Pastor Schneider preaches his farewell service as he accepted a call to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO. During his vacancy, Chaplin Lawrence Rudolph served the congregation.
June 30, 1970
Rev. Robert Brandt was ordained and installed as Pastor of Atonement Lutheran Church. Pastor Brandt was a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis.
December 1982
Rev. Nathan Riley from Trinity Lutheran, Redding CA accepted the call to be pastor at Atonement.
June 1986
Pastor Riley accepted a call to Hephatha Lutheran Church, Anaheim Hills, CA. Pastor Harms served as the vacancy pastor during that time.
February 1, 1987
Rev. John W. Ehlke was installed as pastor of Atonement. Pastor John served at St. John's in Mattoon, WI and St. Paul in Birnamwood, WI. Pastor Ehlke was a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis.
November 2009
Pastor Ehlke retired from the ministry. Pastor Robert Rotnem and Deacon Bob Kulowitch served as vacancy pastor.
July 31, 2011
Rev. Joshua LaFeve was ordained and installed at Atonement. Pastor LaFeve was a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis.
Rev. Nathan Riley from Trinity Lutheran, Redding CA accepted the call to be pastor at Atonement.
June 1986
Pastor Riley accepted a call to Hephatha Lutheran Church, Anaheim Hills, CA. Pastor Harms served as the vacancy pastor during that time.
February 1, 1987
Rev. John W. Ehlke was installed as pastor of Atonement. Pastor John served at St. John's in Mattoon, WI and St. Paul in Birnamwood, WI. Pastor Ehlke was a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis.
November 2009
Pastor Ehlke retired from the ministry. Pastor Robert Rotnem and Deacon Bob Kulowitch served as vacancy pastor.
July 31, 2011
Rev. Joshua LaFeve was ordained and installed at Atonement. Pastor LaFeve was a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis.