After serving as principal
and teacher at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Tracy, California for four years I
accepted a call to Zion Lutheran Church and School in Glendale, California. We
were there only two years and the two years were years full of challenge and
joy.
CHALLENGES. My basic
assignment in Glendale was to open a new school. In contrast to what was
happening to Lutheran schools in many other Los Angeles areas it was tough
getting enrollment at Zion. The congregation’s median age was well beyond child
bearing. The school was located downtown on a small lot. Public transportation
was unavailable. The public schools were good. I gave it my best shot, even
personally picking up and delivering back home at my own expense several
students who lived a distance away. The school grew very slowly. We had only13
students in grades 1-4, all in one room. Yet, the school did grow eventually
enrolling well over 100 until many years later the elementary grades were
dropped and a strong early childhood program still flourishes.
Our financial situation
and living arrangements left much to be desired. When we arrived the
congregation had rented for us a small upstairs apartment with the landlady
living on the same floor with us She took it upon herself to teach our young son David “how to behave
properly” and as part of that process spanked him when she thought that was
what he needed. My salary was $200.00 a month (plus that apartment).One of the
members suggested that it was time for me to get a credit card. I applied for a
card for gasoline only with Texaco. My application was denied because of ”insufficient income”.
Jane was asked to serve as
the congregation’s organist and choir director. However among other demands
there were these two: when the Sunday School children left the church to go to
their individual classrooms they must
always without exception, march out to the tune of “Onward Christian Soldiers”.
Every single worship service must end with
singing exactly the same hymn.
Our pastor was very conservative. Once we had dinner at his home with some
guests. He offered the table grace. But after the guests had left he spoke with
me. He explained that he hoped he had not done wrong by inappropriately joining
in prayer with people who were not Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod members. He
explained that the guests were actually Wisconsin Synod Lutherans.
JOY. We had left Tracy
which was a wonderful small city of 10,000 residents heavily related to the
agricultural community which surrounded it. Glendale is an integral part of the
greater Los Angles area. We took in many of the wonderful offerings that were
right there. We listened to music at he Hollywood Bowl. We loved taking guests
to the Grauman Chinese Theater, to Hollywood and Vine, to the homes of the
stars in Beverly Hills. It was great to go to the Rose Bowl Parade and watch
football there and at the L.A. Coliseum. I remember the extravagance of eating
at a famous restaurant in the La Cienega area.
Two friends took us there for a farewell dinner. It was the most
expensive meal I had ever eaten: the wonderful steak cost an extravagant total
of $4.00. ( Remember this was 1956 !) I must also admit that already in those
years the city was often clouded over by a terrible layer of dark and heavy
smog.
As is true wherever one
lives; we were with some wonderful people. The DeVillers treated us with
affection and affirmation. Mr. Roth saw to it that he always brought a good
supply of beer when he came. Parents of my pupils invited us to their homes for
dinner. The principals of the surrounding Lutheran schools were a marvelous
source of learning, support and encouragement. I sang in an all-male chorus that
practiced at Faith, Inglewood which introduced me to another urban environment.
We took day trips to the California gold country and enjoyed an extended stay
at Yosemite National Park.
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We were in Glendale for o
ly two years. I am grateful for those two years and they served as the
transition point to our next adventure:10 years in Hong Kong.
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