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On January 17, 1982, the congregation voted to accept a loan of $356,750 to build the new worship center. In March 1982, a groundbreaking ceremony was held. The building was completed in October 1982 and dedicated in November 1982, and Pastor LeBlanc led the congregation into their new edifice. Pastor LeBlanc reports that he had a vision from the beginning to retire the mortgage so it would not be left behind for our children.
The architect of the building was James C. Moore, AIA and the builder
was Fireball Construction.
The original building ended at the pastor’s office. Under the leadership of Reverend LeBlanc, an addition to the building was constructed in early 1989. This addition included an Education and Ministry Center. The new annex was dedicated on December 10, 1989. Immediately afterwards, Ada Foster initiated the process to begin a Child Development Center (CDC) to serve the community and in response to a needs survey. In September, 1990, the FLCC CDC opened. Many children have attended the center, which has molded their lives in a positive manner.
In 2000, the church theme was “Moving from Membership to Discipleship” focusing on being intentional about one’s role as a disciple of Jesus Christ. This focus led to the initiation of the Capital Faith Campaign designed to help eliminate the mortgage by ensuring its timely payment and upgrading church property.
Over the years the church’s interior, exterior and grounds have been maintained in a manner to preserve the original elegance and beauty. A beautification program was implemented resulting in the addition of new chairs and carpet for the church. In 2005 it was proposed to sell the parsonage and use the proceeds to retire the church mortgage, provide opportunities for outreach ministries, and to complete delayed maintenance to the building and grounds. Ultimately the parsonage was sold in May, 2007 and the mortgage was retired culminating with a Mortgage Retirement Celebration on November 18, 2007. There was standing room only. The theme of the retirement celebration……the Miracles of Yesterday and the Wonders of Tomorrow.
The Reverend Richard A. Magnus, Executive Director of Division of Outreach was our guest preacher and Reverend Dean Nelson, Bishop of Southwest California Synod was the Celebrant.
The Lord has blessed us with the steadfastness of a pastor and enthusiasm of a congregation that has allowed First Lutheran to make may improvements over the years. The most recent included the installation of a heating and air conditioning system and church signage. In September 2007, the church placed a modular unit on the grounds for the youth ministry as it continues to grow. The growth of this ministry demanded that we add staff.
In the winter of 2008, First Lutheran Church of Carson voted to call Reverend O. Dennis Mims (a son of the congregation) as Pastor of the Youth and Family Ministry. The congregation continues to grow and thrive with the Vision: To Become a Christ Centered Community, Sharing the Love of God in Word and Deed and Goal: To Encourage people to enter into an intimate Relationship with Jesus- To Empower the people of God, to Expand our capacity to serve others by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
To God Be The Glory for all of the Miracles of Yesterday and the Wonders of Tomorrow!
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