FAIRFIELD - For nearly 45 years, Karen Spengler has traveled from Rio Vista almost weekly to attend worship services and activities at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. 'My choices for church were Fairfield or Lodi,' she said. 'To get to Lodi I had to go over three bridges.'

She was married in the church and her daughter was baptized and confirmed at St. Mark's. 'This is my family,' she said, gathered at a table with a handful of other longtime church members.

This weekend, St. Mark's is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The theme is 'In Faith We Press On!'

And, what an appropriate theme it is, members say.

In 1991, then pastor David Webb was killed after crashing his bicycle into the back of the school bus. And, twice during that same decade, the membership rebounded quickly after some tough years financially.

Such setbacks only made the church stronger, members say. Four years ago the church dedicated its new sanctuary.

Starting a new church and ministries

The church's beginnings date back to Aug. 16, 1956 when Pastor Joel Olberg arrived in town to organize a new congregation under the sponsorship of Home Missions and the California District of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The first service was held on Sept. 30, 1956 with 53 people attending.

On March, 6, 1957, St. Mark's became a congregation and Olberg was installed as its first pastor. By Aug. 10, 1958 the membership was worshipping in their own building at the corner of Union Avenue and Travis Boulevard. That building still stands today and is used by other local churches for their services.

One of the church's most public ministries is the annual Thanksgiving dinner started by Al Bergoust in 1984. Last year more than 300 hot meals were served.

'It was mainly for older people by themselves,' he said of its beginnings. Members of the military were also invited. Today, all are welcome.

Soon the church outgrew the kitchen space at the church and longtime member Gaylord Whitlock secured space at the Fairfield Senior Center, where the dinner is held today.

Bergoust noted he often has so many volunteers help with the event, he has trouble finding work for all them.

The church's Manna Food Pantry, begun in 1996, is one of the biggest food pantry in the county. Food is distributed twice a week.

Before the new sanctuary was built, the church has its own garden, the Promised Land, which was borne after people mentioned there weren't enough fruits and vegetables among the food pantry items.

Friendly people

For Helen Bergoust and MaryAnne Jordan, the friendliness of members helped them make the transition as new members at St. Mark's. Both note it was Bev Duncan who talked to them. Duncan even got Bergoust to join the choir. 'The first day I came I felt I was coming home,' Bergoust said.

Member Diane Metz has also watched the changing face of membership. 'We are starting to be more reflective of the community,' she said. 'That's a very wonderful thing. '

Thirty-two years ago, St. Mark's opened a preschool that welcomes children from the community. Some of these families have joined the church.

In 1999, the Interfaith Council that oversees the operation of Fairfield's homeless shelter, Heather House, began at St. Mark's.

A few years ago, Duncan, who has belonged to St. Mark's since 1966, started a support group for people with macular degeneration. It meets the second Monday of the month at 2 p.m.