Ready to discover a landmark known as “Touchdown Jesus?” That’s just one nickname for the Lutheran Church In The Foothills. This church stands proudly in La Cañada Flintridge.
Lutheran Church In The Foothills has a rich history. It began in 1947 when the Evangelical Lutheran Synod sought to establish a presence here. The Synod asked the United Lutheran Church to send a pastor. They wanted to develop a church in La Cañada, La Crescenta, and Montrose. These towns nestle in the San Gabriel Mountains’ foothills. They are near the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Rose Bowl.
Reverend John P. Stump arrived from New York City. The first worship service took place on September 28, 1947. It was held in the American Legion Hall in Verdugo City. The Lutheran Church in the Foothills was officially established on February 19, 1948.
The congregation grew quickly. In 1949, they purchased two and a half acres on Foothill Boulevard. On September 17, 1950, the church was dedicated. This original building now serves as the Fellowship Hall. By 1952, members added Sunday School classrooms and offices. They also built a patio doing much of the work themselves.
By the mid-1960s, further expansion was needed. During Pastor Vernon Frazier’s tenure, plans arose for a new sanctuary. It would be built east of the existing buildings. The upper floor features a distinctive inverted boat design. Massive wood beams support a high A-frame roofline. The design included a sacristy, choir loft, and foyer. The lower floor added new classrooms. The new sanctuary and tower were dedicated on December 19, 1965.
The narthex opens toward the foothills. The Tower Statue of Redemption stands centered. People also call it the “Touchdown Statue”. The former chapel became the Fellowship Hall. The former classrooms became meeting rooms and offices.
Lutheran Church in the Foothills is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or ELCA. The ELCA formed in 1988. Three Lutheran denominations merged. It united Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, and some German Lutheran traditions. The ELCA has nearly five million members in over 10,000 congregations. It is the largest Lutheran denomination in North America. The headquarters are in Chicago. The ELCA belongs to the Lutheran World Federation. This is the largest Protestant Christian body globally. It is headquartered in Geneva.
Regionally, the church belongs to the ELCA’s Southwest California Synod. This synod includes about 150 congregations. They span Kern, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties. They worship in different languages and represent diverse cultures.
Today, Lutheran Church In The Foothills continues to be an active community. It offers various programs such as Together On Wednesday Nights. They provide opportunities for prayer, fellowship, and service. The church stands as a beacon. It is a testament to faith, community, and architectural vision. So remember the “Touchdown Statue” as a symbol of hope. It is a landmark in La Cañada Flintridge.