Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 34, Number 177, Decatur, Adams County, 27 July 1936 — Page 38

PAGE THIRTY-EIGHT

A Century Os Lutheranism In Adams County

(Continued From Page 35> •world after he hud faithfully served the congregation for 32 years. His suci'essors were: Pastor Herman Meyer 1877 to 188 ST Pastor .1. L. Dall) 1883-1888; Pastor H. Schlesselinan 1888-1893. In 189:1 Pastor C. B. Preuss was called, who served the congregation faith fully for 42 years. He resigned in 1935 after he had completed 50 years ot service In the Church and the congregation hud celebrated his golden Jubilee. The present incumbent, the Rev. W. H. Wernlng, was Installed September 8, 1935, having come from Canada, where ha served a large and extensive mission field in British Columbia from 1924-192" and as a missionary in the city of Calgary, Alberta from 1927 to 1935. Almost from the very beginning the congregation maintained a Christian day-school. In the early years Pastor Jaebker taught school personally, but as early as 1855 the congregation called a teacher in the person of Mr. Karl Kirsch, who served the congregation as teacher until the year 1880. His I successors were: Teacher P. Riess,. 1880-89; Mr. J. F. Bublitz, 1889-99; j Mr. H. G. L. Paul, 1899-1901; Mr.! G. Fischbach. 1901-09; Mr. Edward Schuricht. 1909-1924; the present! teacher, Mr. H. F. Nielson, took 1 over the school in the spring of 1924 and is conducting the school; in a very satisfactory and efficient. manner. In order to give the teach- ] er more time to devote to the in-1 dividual pupils and to raise the I standard of the school a second i teacher was employed for the pri-' mary grade in 1920 in the person of Miss Clara Kiefer, who served until 1923. During the school year 1923-24, M. Reinhard Buuck. a son of the congregation and now teacher at Lexington. Texas, taught the lower grades. Miss Freda Buuck has had charge of the lower grades since the year 1924 and is also conducting her school with efficiency. The school offers a complete eight-grade course. The present church, a fine and imposing structure, was erected in the year 1902 and has a seating capacity of about 600. All buildings belonging to the congregation are equipped with electric lights; the church boasts of a fine pipeorgan and the parsonage as well as the teacher’s dwelling are fully modern. Oldest Congregation For over 98 years the Gospel of the Crucified and Risen Savior has

Make Bob’s Confectionery Your Summer Rendezvous Noted for tasty foods, stimulating soda-fountain drinks and dishes, pleasant surroundings, convenient location, smooth service —everything goes hand in hand to make BOB’S CONFECTIONERY the perfect spot to spend those odd moments, day or evening. Make it a habit this summer to stop at Bob’s. It will be a pleasant one—one you won’t want to break. I During Centennial week, you’ll find this an excellent place to eat and drink. We specialize in tasty sandwiches all hours of the day. Everything in the beverage line as well. You’ll like it here. «/Tnillk h* & fl! ‘fW MW WJflfffrfl !k * 1 {<ij lu iW IU M 1 I A v Success to the Centen- ff iR SL>. Vnial! We're proud to ft f IK Wit take part in Decatur’s big- K J celebration. Ns.

First Church Sisi Pict lin'd above Is the first Lutheiau church in Adams county. It, was built about u year after the first settler, Frederick Buuck arrived in the territory now known u# the Friedheim settlement. | been proclaimed in this community. From Its small beginning the congregation has now grown to , be a large family, so that today it i numbers 437 souls. 331 communicants, and 104 voting members with 64 children in the day-school. These figures, however, do ncfi nearly represent the many whose hearts and lives have been influenced through the ministrations of this congregation, since many have already entered eternity, while others still living are to be found l in practically every neighboring ! congregation, in Fort Wayne and I in distant parts. Only eternity will . reveal to what extent this congre- : gation has been a blessing to many. This congregation, being the old- ' est Lutheran congregation in the | county, can truthfully be called I the mother church. She looks with I justifiable pride to St. Paul’s at I Preble as her daughter. And since I Bethlehem, near Tocsin, in Wells Co., branchd off from St. Paul’s Preble, Zion Congregation at Friedheiin may rightly look upon Bethlehem as her grand daughter. St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Preble | This church was organized as a self-sustaining congregation on August 19, 1873, when as was noted above, it branched off from its mother congregation at Friedhelm. Pastor Jaebker, who was at that time pastor ot the Friedheim con- ■ gregation, also served the newly organized congregation until the Rev. Gustav Spiegals was called as its pastor. For about 20 years before its organization, however, Teacher Karl Kirsch of Zion Congregation, Friedheim, taught in a branch-school at Preble on Tuesdays and Saturdays, which Zion Congregation had established. The following men comprised.

the first voters’ assembly: William Schaekel, William Ehlerdlng, Andrew Ehlerdlng, Andred Werling. NicoTas Werling, Herman Wefel, George Schueler, Henry Wefel, John Wefel, Jacob Hoffman, Ernst Kirchner, chairman and secretary, Curl Kirchner, Ferdinand BierI mann, Fred Bicknese, Benjamin Breiner, John Brelner, Herman I Bieberich. Daniel Hoffman, Nath- ’ an Ehrmann, Jacob Kiefer, Frederick Kiefer, Christ Bieberich, Dan- ' ie) Bieberich, Herman Mayer, Henry Linnemeier, Herman Schueler, Adam Bley, Frederick Schroeder, I Louis Goldner, Charles Bley, Charles Conrad, Daniel Werling, Will- ■ lam R. Werling. William Macke, William Ehle, Carl Koenemann, i Edward Kirchner and Herman Kleinsorge. For the first ten years services were conducted in a frame building, whicfi was later converted into a school. In 1882, during the pastorate of the Rev. Spiegals, the corner-stone for a new church was laid. The church, however, was not completed and dedicated until August 1883. All the clay for the bricks used in constructing the new church was taken from and also burned on the Fred Schueler farm. The total cost of erecting the church was about 87.000. In 1924 the original church was remodeled into the present two-room brick building. Succeeding the Rev. Gustav Spiegals were the following pastors: Matthias. O. List, J. H. Klausing, George Koch. Karl Krotke, and Robert Gaiser. who was suddenly taken from the congregation by death in January of this present year. Following the W. H. Moeller, who was ordained and installed ias the new pastor on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st. During the pastorate ot the Rev. Matthies, the first teacher was called to conduct the school in the person of Mr. Wellensiek. He was succeeded by the Messrs. O. Damkoehler, J. F. Briel, Win. Goede, and since 1920 by the present teacher, Mr. Rudolph Stolp. During the sixty-three years of existence of this congregation 547 children were received into the Christian faith by the rite of baptism; 497 young boys and girls were received into membership of the Church by the rite of confirmation, 191 couples were united in marriage; and 195 burials were recorded. The congregation a t present numbers 411 souls, of which 248 are communicant mem-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT MONDAY, JULY‘’7, 1936

Friedheim ( hurch ■ ■ lul The Zion Lutheran church at Friedheim was started early in 1838 with the Rev. Jesse Hoover as the first pastor. At this church watt held the first Lutheran celebration, of the Lord’s supper on record in Adams county.

. bers and 86 are voting members. St. Peter's Congregation, Root ' Township. Fuelling Settlement The beginning of this congregation dates back to the year 1838. The first Lutheran Settler in Root 1 township. Mr. Clamor Fuelling, had arrived in 1837 and was soon ’ followed by his first neighbor. Mr. D. Gerke. About a dozen Lutheran families had taken up homesteads in this township, when in 1838 the first missionary appeared in the person of the Rev. F. Wyneken. He was received with open arms by Clamor Fuelling and nis neighbors. In the log hut of Mr. Fuelling the first services were held. In 1841 these early settlers organized the first congregation in Root township. They bought ten acres of land, five each of Mr. Fuelling and Mr. Gerke for the sum ot thirty dollars. Soon after, they erected a log church on this property. The first trustee was Fr. Christianer. The next missionary was Rev. Knape. who resided in Preble township. In the mean time school was taught in the log church by the Messrs. Schlatennund. G. H. Jaebker, and Rennicke. In October 1845 Rev. F. W. Husmann was called to serve St. Peter’s. Before that time itinerant pastors had served the Lutheran settlers as best they could. During the next few years the congregations served by Pastor Husmann grew rapidly, so that in December 1848 the Rev. A. Fritze was called as assistant to Rev. Busman. and took charge of St. Peter's and St. John’s, Bingen, for a short time. Soon after he was called as the first regular pastor of St. Peter’s. Here he labored faithfully and diligently for twentyeight years. He died here March 28,1877, at the age of sixty years. During his pastorate the congregation allowed their first property to revert to the original owners and in 1850 purchased their present site. In 1851 a frame church, the second church of the congregations, was built and dedicated to the service of the Lord. The Rev. Fritze's successor was the Rev. Theo. Hahn. During these years the congregation grew to such an extent that the members decidea to erect a new and larger house of worship. On January 11, 1880 the present church was dedicated to the service oT the Lord. The following pastors served the congregation since Pastor Hahn’s resignation in 1881: The Rev. F. Berg. 1881-91; Rev. J. H. Heintze, 1892-1902, Rev. L. W. Dornseif, 1902-1921, when he resigned because of infirmities of age. He was called out of life on February 25. 1936. During his pastorate the congregation not only purchase a new pipe organ, but also erected the present school building. The Rev. A. Moeller, now pastor of Zion Congregation at Schumm, Ohio, succeeded Pastor Dornseif and served the congregation until 1927. The congregation then called the son of the late Rev. L. W. Dornseif, the Rev. L.

- ■ 4 A Bouquet for Decatur —and you certainly deserve them for the splendid achievements during the past century. W e are glad to be here and hope we may continue to be of service to you as your Florists. 'Jtuf it with DECATUR FLORAL CO. Nuttman Ave. - PHONE 100

Friedheim Church

J. Dornseif, who has been the pastor of St. Peter’s for the past nine years. Mr. Martin Greunke Is at I present the teacher of the school. i- Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Congregation, Union Township t Almost 90 years have passed 1 sinced the first settlers entered ’• the dense forests of this district i and established their homes here s for themselves and their descends ants. It required much toil and lab--9 or to clear the land and to transs form it into usable soil, and to f make that district, what it is to- • day. Remembering the words ot their 1 Savior: ‘‘Seek ye first the kingdom ’ of God and His righteousness,’’’ ’ these pioneers fathers did not minr imize the value of their immortal 1 souls. They, therefore, immediate- ' ly looked for an opportunity to 1 worship their God and Savior, At ‘ first they travelled on foot to the • Fuelling settlement in Root town- • ship, where the Rev. A. Fritze, ’ was conducting services. However. 1 already in the 1549 Pastor Fritze ‘ began conducting services regular- ' ly in their midst, in the home of Mr. John Henry Bleeke, the pion- • eer of the district, and continued • to do so until 1865. As early as 1851 they began i building a church out of logs, : which, however, was not complet- • ed until the year of 1855, when it i was dedicated to the service of ■ the Triune God. The organization i of the congregation took place on ■ December 14, 1858. The charter ■members of the congregation i were: John Henry Bleeke. Chris- - tian F. Bleeke, John H. Kruecke--1 berg, Carl Grote, Ferdinand Reink- ■! ing, William Weiland, Andrew ■ Thieme, Carl F. W. Bleeke, Carl i H. W. Krueckeberg, Carl D. W. Schamerloh, and Christian Bleeke. The congregation grew steadily, ■ so that in the year 1865 they were i in a position to call their own ■ pastor in the person of the Rev. . H. Steger. Since then the following pastors served the congregaI tion: Rev. P. Rupprecht, 1870-73; H. Kaeminerer, 1874-79; H. Steger, i 1879-85; W. Schmidt, 1886-1905; G. Bauer, 1905-1913; K. Hoffman, 19i 13-17; F. Mohn. 1917-22; J. H. Lindi horst, 1923-24. The Rev. M. Frosch ■ has served Immanuel Congrega- . tion since the year 1924, after hav- ■ ing served the Church for a number of years in South America. I A Christian day-school was estab- • lished at the very beginning and > has been continued without inter- . ruption all these years. From 18651909 the pastors taught school ■ themselves. Since then the followt ing teachers have taught the i schoo.l: Walter Gotsch, 1909-1918; ■ Oscar Gotsch, T 919-22; G. J. r Schmidt, 1923-27. Mr. B. Schulz is - the present teacher, having serv- - ed the congregation in that capa- - city since 1927. t| The present church was built in r 1891 and was remodeled in 1912; - the substantial school of brick i construction was erected in 1915. s In the year 1865 the congregation . built the first parsonage, which

WM replaced by the present one in 1917: the teacher's dwelling was I built In 1909. The congregation now number. , 324 baptized members, 208 communicants. 83 voting members with 53 children Enrolled in W school. "2ion Lutheran Ihurch, De. al” In the early ‘‘seventies’’ the Rev. A Fritze, then pastor of the St. Peter’s Church in Root township, begun preaching in Decatur. There were only a few people attending the services at that time. After the death of Rev. Fritze and upon the request ot the Fritze family and others who moved to Decatur, services were held quite regularly by the Rev. G. Spiegals. at that time pastor of the Preble congregation. When the Rev. Berg became pastor of St. Peter’s Root township, he also took over the work in Decatur and conducted services quite regularly in the Fritze home, the Westerfield home, the Court House, and the old Christian Church, and there were good prospects of establishing a congregation in Decatur. In the course of time, nowever, many of the families, who attended services, moved to other cities, and services were discontinued. But some time later a few more Lutheran families moved to Dectur and Rev. Heintze, Rev. Berg’s successor at St. Peter's, soon held regular services with Increasing attendances. During these years other neighboring pastors helped out at Decatur. In 1900, Rev. Klausing. pastor at Preble at tl;> time, took over the flock which had now increased to a considerable size. Together with the untiring efforts of Mr. Henry Lankenau, formerly teacher at St.

I •sI \Vr- JpF ■ YOUR QUEEN I IS OUR QUEEN I We take this means of extending our heartiest congratulations to Miss Frieda Scherer Queen of The Decatur Centennial We are glad she has won this honor and we are proud to associate with her in our daily work. We know she will justify the role for which she has been chosen. She is a oueen in her own rights and worthy of the name bestowed upon her. Employees Os The Morris 5c & 10c to SI.OO Store Thirty-Three bernice closs CLEO LIGHT Years— ethel shady FRANCES FRANKLIN This vear marks the Thir- Hn J tv-Third vear for the Mor- HILDEGARD LENGERIt H ris Stores. We are proud MARTHA KRUECKEBERG of our store in Decatur and JUANITA RILEY attribute its success to the PAULINE McKEAN s p Ie n d i d patronage you pfart uav have afforded us. We hope , ‘^ KL ' we may continue to merit L.ALKEI 1A WEILAND vour support. ALICE REINHART We are proud to take part HELEN BEERY "V 1 * and know MARIE HILDEBRAND with the splendid civic spir- 7ITI IT pnRTPn it manifested bv its citiz- I,*' 1 ORTER ens, Decatur will continue MADELINE SPAHR to grow to an even greater JEANETTE GARD cit Y- ED EHINGER DICK BROWN MERLE ELLENBERGER

I John’s. Bingen, Pastor Klausing succeeded In organizing a congre. gation on Decembers 1, 1901. J Soon after Its organization the; • congregation purchased a lot on the comer of West Monroe and ' Eleventh Streets. On August 17, 1902 it wan docidsd to erwet u 'church edifice. However, it seemed hardly possible that the few members could raise the necessary money for such a project. But ’ this was soon cared for, since the ( ’ many loyal Lutherans in the vicinity of Decatur raised a large a- ■ mouut, and the balance was raised by the members of the congre-, ' gation. The newly erected cnurch build- ' ing was dedicated on May 17, 1903. I From then on the congregation ’ grew and increased splendidly tin- • der the able leadership of Pastor l Klausing and Mr. H. Lankenau. so ’ that in the year 1909, when Pastor 1 Klausing accepted a call to Michi- ‘ gan, the congregation was feady I to call their first resident pastor. ’ On November 7, 1909, the Rev. » U Weymoyer was installed as the • first resident minister. He labored as a faithful shepherd in this , congregation for six years. During - five years of this time he also had charge of the school which then . numbered 33 children. The present > parsonage was built during his - pastorate in the year 1910. In 1915, i Pastor Wehmeyer accepted a call 1 to a congregation at Bridgeport, ■ Connecticut. His successor. Rev. ■ A. Hinz, was installed March 7, 19- : 15. For a number of years he also took charge of the school work, outside of his many other duties. During his pastorate the old school i building was remodeled and eni larged in 1923 and was transform- ■ ed into a modern school in every . respect. During the last four years. •

Lutheran S I h ? i Above is p building of th, '•ran linm.mti-I . ion townsldp \ ‘ school was . Hi.' chni '. h it... however, th.- s, . , fiinctlonine \• • . . . congregation f.>i • tor Hinz accept,-,| ~ ,K gregation December 1925. The present pastor, the Paul Schultz, w ; , ary 14. 1926. Dun: . ed to such an .-\t. ir ent building is no accomodate tl,.- , ■ Therefore the busily engaged n . enlarging their Lutheran Christ an D a , This historic al ■ •* In' complete withwords more (Continued (e. p.,.-.. y.,