Festschrift zum Fünfzig-jahrigen Jubiläum, 1868-1918
Fiftieth Anniversary Festival Book for St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church
On the 28th of October, 1911, on the evening of the celebration of the Reformation, Pastor J. J. Mayer gave a guest sermon here, and on the 5th of November, the congregation chose him as its future pastor. On the first of January, 1912, the Assistant Pastor, Pastor F. Mueller, introduced the new pastor. On the same day, a strong, cold winter began and it took a while before the parsonage received the necessary warmth and longer yet for the congregation to warm up. Nevertheless, the work was begun and continued courageously even if there were paralyzing difficulties in its way.
In the springtime, the Women's Association had the decorating of the church walls and the new varnishing of the woodwork done through a church painter who had shown himself very capable in his field, Mr. Schaubacher of Springfield, Illinois. This elegant work required the fair price of $1100. On the 23rd of June, 1912, we celebrated the renovation and all guests were full of praise for the successful and beautiful painting. On this occasion, the beautiful window given by Mrs. Lillian Schmidt in memory of her late husband. Pastor H. Schmidt, was dedicated. When at that time, the water system was installed in the village, the congregation decided to have the waterlines installed in the parsonage and the church, defraying the cost with the Sunday School Birthday Fund.
A thorough renovation of the parsonage was undertaken in 1914. Since the main thresholds of the house had begun to deteriorate, and there was not sufficient room for a cellar underneath, the house was lifted 3 feet and enough space was excavated to provide a 7-foot cellar under the house with different partitions and a cistern; a porch was added in front of the house. This all changed the house into a more healthful dwelling and gave it a much better look. The industrious women's association with the help of many friends and with the youth group that existed at that time got together over $1500 for this purpose.
| Mr. and Mrs. C. Teufert | Mrs. M. Burmeister |
While improvements were taking place here, there were destructions in the church. In the Spring of 1913, in the night from Easter Sunday to Easter Monday, an enormous storm passed over the village and damaged all three churches. It ripped two corner towers from the big steeple of our church one of which made a hole 6' x 8' through the roof and ruined and destroyed benches and windows. We were sorry that the beautiful painting was destroyed so cruelly. A clever hand repaired everything again and hardly a trace can be seen of the damage. With happy hearts, we were able to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the church and we thanked almighty God on that occasion that he had spared our church worse damage and that he had led our congregation since its beginning through inner and outer storms with his gracious hand.
In how much suffering
Has not the gracious God
Spread his wings over us!
(From a German Hymn -ed. note)
The congregation still has to reckon with a debt of $3700 from the church construction and must this year install a new boiler which costs $800. But with the help of the Lord, we will continue to work confident that the congregation inwardly and outwardly may strengthen on the foundation of the holy apostles and prophets of which Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. Let us all strive, with faith in Christ the son of the living God, to become firm and steadfast as the apostle whose name our church bears.
Looking back on the history of the congregation and thinking of all the gracious direction of God and all our ignoring and disregarding of His Grace which has been offered us so richly in the church, we must admit humbly: Lord we are too small and lowly for all the grace and faithfulness and loyalty that you have shown us in fifty years!
Summary
Beginning in the year 1857 the Pioneers of this church held their meetings at the schoolhouse, half a mile south of Niles Center for a period of about 10 years. They were ministered to at this time on Sunday afternoons by the Rev. F.W. Warnke for one year, by the Rev. Stumpf for the period of six years and by the Rev. E. Keuchen for three years. During the latter's pastorate some fifty members came together and organized the Evang. Luth. St. Peter's Church on May 5, 1867. As the number of attendants increased they made plans to build a church, which was erected under the direction of the Hon. George C. Klehm at a cash expense of $2,788.23 and dedicated in 1868. Soon after this Rev. Keuchen withdrew and the church extended a call to Rev. E. Werner, who put his whole time to the building up of this congregation, preaching and teaching school. In 1875 a pipe organ was procured at the price of $850. Towards the end of Rev. Werner's term, a number of his parishioners dropped out. January 23, 1881, Rev. H. Wolf took charge and through patient and faithful work soon regained confidence in the hearts of his parishioners. Gradually their number increased to 60 members, who were willing to pay a salary of $600; they made necessary repairs, extended the church steeple to a proportionate height and bought two large bells. In 1889 the church regretfully accepted Rev. Wolf's resignation and extended a call to Rev. F. Mueller. Heeding his urgent request a parsonage was built at the price of $1,900. The 25th Anniversary was celebrated in 1893. Although financial difficulties frequently caused annoyance a fund for a new church building was begun. After Rev. Mueller had resigned, Rev. H. Schmidt took up the work of this field. Considerable damage having been done to the tower and chimney by stokes of lightning, it was decided to build a new church.
Evidently, this was a great task and the situation was...
...well considered before the final step was taken on May 5, 1903, to let the contract for the sum of $17,220. Everybody worked hard to help furnish the necessary funds. A debt of $7,000 remained. Soon after the church had been built a furnace was installed in the church. Upon short notice of a 3 days' illness Rev. Schmidt was called to the triumphant church on December 15, 1907. During the intermission Rev. A. Behrens, and after his sudden death, Rev. Holz conducted the services and taught school. May 3, 1908, Rev. P. Hausmann took charge. During his pastorate, the church celebrated its 40th anniversary and procured the large new pipe organ for $1,800. Through the pastor's efforts, Mr. A. Carnegie was induced to donate $800 of this sum. In order to furnish better light for the Sunday evening services, conducted in the English language, the young people had electric lights installed. After November 15, 1911, Rev. Hausmann departed and Rev. Mueller once more had the honor of serving this church, until the first day of January 1912, he turned the work over to the present pastor, Rev. J.J. Mayer. More extensive improvements were made, such as laying the water system, decorating the church, building a basement and porch to the parsonage, and finally painting the outside of all the buildings and having the church furnished with a new boiler and more radiators. In all this work of improvements from the time of building of the new church the Ladies-Aid took very active parts and with the aid of certain individual members renewed some of the worn-out church furnishings for this Golden Jubilee.
May the Lord grant, that we all with no less energy repair and improve our spiritual life and by His grace become partakers of the great Golden Jubilee beyond.
Standing, left to right; Christ Guenther, Charles Tess, Gus Schnur, William Ruesch, John Jarmuth and Samuel Meyer
Seated, left to right; Jacob Franz, Albert Schroeder, Reverend Mayer, Conrad Mueller, and William Warkenthien
Return to Top of Page