In 1974, under Pastor E.L. Stallings, we were just a small group of Lutherans who, because of doctrinal concerns that we had, decided we must leave the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. By God’s grace, we soon formed Faith as an independent Lutheran congregation, in May of 1974. Faith’s mission: to uphold, teach and spread the name of Jesus Christ, the world’s Savior, to the people of San Antonio.

In our early years, we did not own property or have a formal place to worship. Because of this, we had to search for a temporary, yet suitable, worship location until we could purchase property of our own.

Our first services were held in the Ridgeview Elementary School auditorium. We worshipped there for six months. We used a portable folding altar. We kept what hymnals we had in the homes of various members, along with other worship implements like candles, offering plates and a communion set. Each Sunday would begin with an “unloading and set up party” before our Sunday school or worship service could be held.

After six months in Ridgeview, we found a small warehouse space on Gulfdale. To our portable altar, we added folding tables, chairs and even partitions to form makeshift Sunday school rooms. Some of our members put their carpentry skills to good use in building a lectern and pulpit. Our warehouse space began to look like a church!

In 1975, Pastor Stallings left. During the interim, Pastor Herbert Wiederanders, a retired Lutheran pastor, served us until the Lord provided a permanent pastor.  At that time, Pastor Wiederanders had been in the ministry for fifty years and was seventy-five years old!

When Pastor Wiederanders began to serve us, we were still an independent Lutheran congregation. But this was soon to change. It was important to us that we find a Lutheran church body that still held to the Bible in all its teachings. We knew the importance of joining together with other like-minded Christians. God provided! We found the WISCONSIN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD (WELS), and the EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD (ELS), to be faithful to God’s Word!

In June 1976, we decided to join the ELS. Also in June 1976, we called ELS Pastor, Norman Harstad, to serve as our next full-time pastor!

The congregation continued to meet on Gulfdale until March of 1977. At that time, we purchased property just south of Thousand Oaks, at 14819 Jones-Maltsberger. We renovated the house, which was on this property, turning it into a chapel with adjoining classrooms and office space. We dedicated our new chapel to God’s glory in 1977. We worship here still!

Following Pastor Harstad, Pastor Herbert Larson served us from 1980-1990. Pastor Randall Nepsund followed Pastor Larson, serving us from 1992-1999. In July 2000, Pastor Matthew Crick began the Lord’s work among us at Faith. Pastor Crick graduated from our Synod’s seminary in June 2000.