By Clyde Noel

Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier

Back in 1950, about the time Rancho Shopping Center was being built, 74 members of the newly-chartered Methodist Community Church of Los Altos purchased 6.6 acres near the intersection of Fremont and Magdalena avenues on the south side of the Southern Pacific railroad tracks.

The area in those days was covered with apricot trees. Members of the congregation picked and dried 30 tons of apricots to put a $1,500 down payment on the property. On Aug. 13, 1950, worship services began under the trees.

Fifty years later, Los Altos United Methodist Church is a bustling, thriving institution with continually-expanding membership, programs and facilities. “Today, the church has grown to serve 2,500 members and 2,500 constituents with an operating budget of over $2 million,” said Pastor Mark Bollwinkel. “It has a national reputation for excellence and innovation in its youth and Music ministries.”

In recognition of its history and the church’s progress, organizers have scheduled a 50th anniversary worship service for 2 p.m., Sunday.

Many of the former pastors and honored guests will take part in the afternoon ceremonies. Letters of acknowledgment for the anniversary celebration have been received from President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. Those scheduled to attend include Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and Los Altos Mayor John Moss.

After the 11:15 a.m. worship service, there will be a barbecue lunch in the Creekside Center. Games and entertainment also are scheduled.

During its 50 years, Bollwinkel said the church has been committed to the community by opening its campus to scores of community organizations for their use. It financially supports 30 non-profit institutions in Santa Clara County and is the leading United Methodist congregation in Northern California in financial support for the denomination’s global programs in disaster relief, education and development. Bollwinkel said the church was the chartering organization for the Alpha-Omega Homeless Shelter and it hosts the largest Boy and Girl Scouts programs in the county.

“Our future is bright,” he said. “The church recently opened its children’s center to an enrollment of 240 pre-school students in a program that is the cutting-edge in facility and curriculum.”

The church is about to launch its own community foundation to ensure its commitment to fund and initiate local, regional and global services.

For information on the celebration, call the church at 948-1803 or e-mail markbollwinkel@laumc.org.