At the request of families of the Wisconsin Synod living in the San Diego area, the Synod's California Mission Board initiated worship services on Sunday, October 28, 1962, at the Palm Chapel of the Catamaran Motor Hotel in Pacific Beach. This was the nucleus for our first congregation in San Diego County. Since the first service was held on Reformation Sunday, the congregation chose the name "Reformation."

Rev. Paul Heyn conducted the first service with 31 persons in attendance. Thereafter, Rev. Edgar Hoenecke conducted services until Pastor Lowell Smith was ordained and installed on August 4, 1963.

Early in 1964, the congregation relocated to the Pacific Beach Women's Club. A regular Sunday School program was begun. The formulation and adoption of a constitution was completed on May 24, 1964. There were 53 charter-member communicants. In October, the congregation approved the selection of a two-acre site on Mount Abernathy Avenue as the location for constructing a permanent house of worship. The first child baptised in 1964 was Melinda (Davidson) Coldwell, who continues to be an active member at Reformation.

On February 18, 1965 Reformation congregation was incorporated in the State of California. Purchase of property on Mount Abernathy was completed, and an architect was hired to design the church building. With great anticipation the members participated in an evangelism canvass of their "new" neightborhood, visiting more than 1,000 homes. Our members began a daughter congregation serving the communities of East San Diego and La Mesa. That congregation became Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. During the same period Alpine Lutheran Church joined the WELS fellowship.

Plans completed, groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted in May. The cornerstone dedication service was in September and the Dedication Service of the completed building was on December 18, 1966. Our entire congregation donated many hours of loving labor. Special features of the new church were the altar and chancel furniture designed and built by sainted member, Albert Meinke.

These were busy years, and growth in membership and programs was rapid. A Vacation Bible School program was initiated; the Reformation Women's society was formed; a ladies' weekday Bible study/breakfast began; a parsonage for the pastor was completed and dedicated in 1967. By our sixth anniversary in 1968 the voters determined we were able to be independent of mission support. Daughter congregation, Ascension Lutheran, Escondido, was begun, the Pioneer program was chartered, and the first Southern California Lutheran Bible Camp was held in the Big Bear Mountains. Discussions for starting a Christian Day School were ongoing. Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church of Oceanside-Carlsbad was formed in 1969, the fifth WELS congregation in the county.

These were banner years. Reformation Christian Day School became a reality. Miss Emmaline Scott accepted the challenge to teach, and 22 students in grades 1-4 greeted her at the beginning of the 1970 fall term. Classes were held in the Youth Hall; thus causing the need to build. The new school building was dedicated on September 12, 1971. Miss Janice Schlomer replaced Miss Scott as teacher. Grade 5 and Kindergarten were added and two additional teachers, Mrs. Marlys Olson and Mrs. Nancy Smith, were called.

The big leap forward for the school came in the third year with the addition of grades 6 through 8. Mr. Gary Krug was called as principal and teacher of grades 5 to 8. With 86 students in attendance and children enrolled from each of the sister congregations of the county, an opportunity for curriculum growth emerged. Mr. Krug brought along his bride Lenore, also a teacher, to share in starting new programs in music, physical education and interscholastic athletics. Mrs. Krug was called to teach grades 3 and 4. An active evangelism program to reach the local community was begun. By our tenth anniversary, the congregation had been blessed with approximately 150 communicant members.

In April an extensive evangelism training program was resumed. By the end of the year nearly 500 calls had been made by the evangelists. There were 368 souls, including 197 communicant members, in the congregation. Improvements to the properties, both in the classrooms and on the playgrounds were accomplished. Evening devotions were added to the regular meditation-learning schedule. A request for monies to purchase a teacherage for housing the principal was submitted. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church opened its new school in the fall. Yet, as projected enrollment for the following year began to climb, it was necessary to begin serious discussion about funding and expanding the day school program. Mr. Rod Jenson was appointed to head the congregation-wide funding program, Mr. Don Long chaired the Planning Committee and Mr. John Lisk headed the Building Committee.