The year was 1917 when Pastor Jacobson of Trinity Church in Stockton, and Pastor Jacobs of St. John’s Church in Valley Home, made the trek up to the Mother Lode mining communities of Tuolumne County. They canvassed the area to determine the viability of a new mission, which ultimately resulted in St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Officially started in 1941, the same year of the attack on Pearl Harbor, St. Matthew Church has flourished for 75 years. Many thanks to the committee which compiled quite a bit of information and held a wonderful celebration for the 50th Anniversary which resulted in significant outreach in the community. Below is a list of the pastors with a few anecdotes collected from meager archival data retained by the church.
Pastor Bertwim J. Von Renner (1941-48) came from Valley Home. In the beginning, services were held only once or twice a month, but soon grew to dual parishes in Tuolumne City and Sonora. Services were held the first and third Sundays of each month in Tuolumne City, while services continued in Sonora at St. James Episcopal Church on the second and fourth Sundays. Sunday school started in 1947. Pastor Von Renner, being part time, received help from Pastor Jacobs, retired of Valley Home (1942-45). During the war years services were somewhat sporadic.
Pastor Marcus Wolfram (1949-50) was the first called and ordained pastor for the church and reportedly was “totally bald like Yul Brynner.” He was called to serve both St. Luke’s Church in Oakdale and the St. Matthew Church budding parish. Services were discontinued in Sonora since St. James Church was undergoing renovation and were held Sunday evening in Tuolumne City. Rent to use the St. James facility during this time was $4.00 per Sunday.
Vicar Monroe S. Teachenor (1950-51) served his vicarage/intern year in Sonora. During this time, he met his future wife, Agnelsa Kjergaard, a young teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Stockton. Vicar Teachenor reported, “He bought a reed organ at a second-hand store in Jamestown called the Wigwam, but the bellows didn’t hold air well. So, he hooked it up to a vacuum cleaner and it had lots of OOMPH.” Ed Pfeiffer, a church member who lived next door, said, “It sounded like a whole orchestra.” The pump organ was taken to O’Bannon’s Motel, where German was taught, and one could hear a crowd singing “old Kraut songs.” Ed Pfeiffer evidently never tired of Vicar Teachenor singing “Pistol-Packin’ Mama” in German.
Vicar Palmer L. Jahnke, Jr (1951-52) came to replace Vicar Teachenor who returned to Concordia to complete his seminary training. Sunday morning services continued in Tuolumne City and Sonora. The congregation petitioned the Mission Board for permission to call a full-time pastor to serve upon Mr. Palmer’s departure. During this time, the first Mission Festival was held with about 60 people from Modesto, Stockton and Oakdale as well as Sonora and Tuolumne City in attendance. The speaker was Rev. Janke Sr. of Livingston. A collection of $45.52 was donated towards expenses, $10 of which went to Rev. Janke for travel expenses. This was also the beginning of Lenten services, which were held Tuesdays in Sonora, and Thursdays in Tuolumne City.
Pastor Monroe S. Teachenor (1952-55) was the first full-time called and ordained pastor of St. Matthew Church. His installation was held in the Tuolumne City church and pastor’s wife, Angelsa was the organist and assistant. The first real confirmation class consisted of Jim Rae, Kae and Venice, and the children of Coyla Dyson. Vacation Bible School was held for two weeks at each church location. The first wedding during this period was Ed and Lillian Pfeiffer and members who joined during this time included the Gilbert Kunz family of Shaw’s Flat (among many others). Sunday school grew as Pastor and Mrs. Teachenor took in 3 foster boys and soon had their own baby named Karl. During this time the church bought land next to the old Sonora City Cemetery and a prefab portable was purchased in Vallejo, taken apart and put together to serve as a parsonage on the site. In 1954, the pastor’s salary was $3,180. Ironically, Pastor Teachenor left in 1955 to go to Atwater. Later, Pastor John V. Herrmann left the same church in Atwater to come to Sonora.
Pastor Monroe S. Teachenor (1952-55) was the first full-time called and ordained pastor of St. Matthew Church. His installation was held in the Tuolumne City church and pastor’s wife, Angelsa was the organist and assistant. The first real confirmation class consisted of Jim Rae, Kae and Venice, and the children of Coyla Dyson. Vacation Bible School was held for two weeks at each church location. The first wedding during this period was Ed and Lillian Pfeiffer and members who joined during this time included the Gilbert Kunz family of Shaw’s Flat (among many others). Sunday school grew as Pastor and Mrs. Teachenor took in 3 foster boys and soon had their own baby named Karl. During this time the church bought land next to the old Sonora City Cemetery and a prefab portable was purchased in Vallejo, taken apart and put together to serve as a parsonage on the site. In 1954, the pastor’s salary was $3,180. Ironically, Pastor Teachenor left in 1955 to go to Atwater. Later, Pastor John V. Herrmann left the same church in Atwater to come to Sonora.
Pastor Leo Scheelk (1955-57) oversaw the building of the first church structure, which was dedicated on July 17, 1955. Soon, by vote, it was determined the church would join the Missouri Synod. In 1956, the church celebrated its 15th anniversary with a special service. An extra bedroom and hallway for the parsonage was proposed to be built by Gil Kunz. The pastor’s report at the voters’ meeting noted 50 Sunday and 12 special services were held with a total attendance of 2,723. Pastor Scheelk received a raise on Jan 13, 1957 which amounted to $2.00 per month which supplemented his salary of $384 per month. In July 1957, Pastor Scheelk resigned and Pastor Nitz, of the California Nevada Hawaii District Office, assisted in the search for a replacement.
Pastor Joseph Galambos (1957-63) arrived from Oregon in November 1957 to serve as Missionary at Large until the congregation decided to issue a call. In 1958, the church extended a call to Pastor Galambos. The church was incorporated as a non-profit organization of the State of California in 1959 and, at the District Convention, the congregation was received as a member of the Missouri Synod. The church grew from 71 to 86 communing members. Regular services were held at a Moccasin Mission and the pastor regularly visited the Tuolumne and Calaveras County hospitals, the Tuberculosis Sanitarium in Murphys, and the Vallecito Conservation Camp. During this time, the Vietnam War was brewing and in 1963 the pastor’s son, Gary, was sent to Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. Soon after Pastor Galambos left Sonora for a church in Newman, CA, Gary was killed in Vietnam.
Pastor Roland H. Roehrs (1963-64) came from Minnesota and left in 1964 to move to Southern California. Unfortunately, little is known about his time at the church.
Pastor Wallace Brookfield (1965-85) came from Concordia College in Oakland to serve on a part-time basis and soon accepted a call. He married Ellen Brookfield who was the organist at the church for many years. Their four children were born and raised in Sonora. During this time, a parsonage was built adjacent to the church at 29 Hope Lane. Pastor’s mother, Agnes, who had lived with him briefly in Sonora before he was married was killed in a car accident in 1969. The parish hall was named in her honor. In 1982, the church mortgage was paid off. A new organ was purchased and paid for through the efforts of the church’s Lutheran Women in Mission organization. In 1985, Pastor Brookfield died, leaving his widow Ellen and four children. The church sold the parsonage to Ellen and her family. Pastor’s grandson, Eric, continues as a member of St. Matthew Church.
Pastor John V. Herrmann (1986-2000) was called from Holy Cross Church in Atwater and was installed. Soon the church grew to two Sunday services. The interior of the church at Hope Lane was remodeled and a 50th anniversary service and banquet was held. Pastor Oswald, District President, and former Pastor Teachenor of Berkeley attended. From 1995-1998 four vicars served at the church—Vicars Klemsz, Riddle, Plughoeft and Depaoli. In 1999, the property on Joshua Way was paid off and a building program began. Pastor Herrmann, who grown up in the Sacramento area, left in 2000 to go back to the church in Fair Oaks where he had raised and where his father had served.
Pastor Tom Sharpe (2001-current) had roots near Tracy, CA and came to Sonora from Strongsville, Ohio. The new church, on Joshua Way, was built and finished. Vicar Clausen was the first vicar during this time. Several Directors of Christian Education have also served the congregation. Two services, including a contemporary service, continue to be offered. Like Pastor Herrmann, Pastor Sharpe believes in outreach. Efforts are ongoing through community engagement and educational opportunities such as that provided by author and consultant Dr. Peter Steinke. Pastor Sharpe states, “My main purpose is for the church to have a mission beyond itself.” Currently, the congregation is funding digital outreach to reach the broader region and beyond.
