Our Story

History of Bethel Lutheran Church 

Santa Maria, California

We began as a mission group of 23 people meeting in a private home in 1960.  Our first pastor was Rev. Ernest Zoerb.  In 1961, we acquired a property and began construction of a building on our current site at 624 E Camino Colegio.  Additional buildings have been constructed as time passed, including the sanctuary, offices, library, fireside room, storage garage, and education/multipurpose building.

We seek to serve our neighbors and community with our hands and our resources.  We provide leadership, support and participation for Serve Santa Maria, a unique alliance of businesses, the city, and the faith community.  

We support national and international ministries through the North American Lutheran Church, and we have special connections with the Center for Christian Education in Slovakia, Lutheran Health Care in Bangladesh, and China Service Ventures. We share our facilities with Iglesia Luterana Santa Cruz, a dynamic and growing Hispanic ministry.  

Many persons have served and been served through this congregation. We thank God for over 62 years of ministry at this place and we look ahead with anticipation to what God has planned for the future.  

Our current pastor is Rev. Dr. Jeff Nellermoe. 

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