Festschrift zum Fünfzig-jahrigen Jubiläum, 1868-1918
Fiftieth Anniversary Festival Book for St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church
The history of the congregation would not be complete if we did not take note of several of the additional branches in the work of the congregation.
Cemetery Board
Soon after the congregation had built its house of worship, and had received its own pastor, it was decided to acquire a resting place for the departed. The members formed a cemetery association among themselves. They bought a piece of land located about a mile north of the church from a Mr. John Ross. Everyone who bought a lot there became automatically a member of the association. In the fall of 1870, they adopted their constitution at the home of Henry Harms. The first election of officers took place in January of 1871. In the course of the years, additional space became necessary and additional land was purchased from Mr. Ross. This new cemetery was solemnly consecrated on May 19, 1889, and on the following day in commemoration of this uplifting celebration a linden tree was planted.
By August 1st, 1918, 190 family plots and 306 single grave lots had been sold. Even though this cemetery association is a separate entity, it has always proved to be a true sister to the congregation by the fact that for many years it has conducted its business meetings in conjunction with the congregational meeting and lent its excess capital to the congregation on an interest basis.
Instruction of the Youth in Weekday and Sunday School
Even at the times when the worship services were held in the English schoolhouse, the children were taught German either before or after the service by the teacher at that time, George C. Klehm, with the help of several members of the congregation. Yet from the time on when the congregation had its own classroom in the basement of the church, the pastors, besides their many other duties, diligently kept up the weekday school and the instruction of confirmands in all these fifty years as much as their time allowed.
The Sunday School
At the beginning of the 1880s, Pastor Wolf also started Sunday School to offer the children still more opportunity to learn Bible stories and catechism. Around the year 1903, the Sunday School reached its highest capacity with an enrollment of 157 children in 16 classes. Through the years, the number of children has dwindled. At the moment, there are about 100 students in 9 classes. Since 1913, Sunday School is also held in winter, that is to say throughout the year. We also made a small beginning with one Bible class of confirmed members and instituted a home department to give guidance to those who can not attend Sunday School to study the Word of God which we all old and young need so urgently at home. Especially also to enable parents to help their children that the idea that Sunday School and the usage of God's Word should be only for children has to be overcome once and for all. "Let the word of Christ dwell among you" is meant for all. In each Christian home the Word of God should be the guiding light which we all need so much in these difficult times.
Sunday School Assembled on the Church Steps
Ladies Aid taken on the Parsonage Lawn
The Ladies Aid
The second strong factor and supporting arm of the congregation is the Ladies Aid. It was founded 12 September, 1897 under the Pastor at that time, H. Schmidt. The first officers were; President, Hanna Ross, Treasurer, Lina Schoening, Secretary, Julia Mueller. 24 women joined at the founding and 13 more in the course of the following year. There were doubts in the beginning whether the society could survive. Those doubts have long been dispelled for the society developed into a strong, indispensible support for the congregation. As the wife to the husband, so has the society at all times been a help to the congregation. And it always lent its help diligently.
When the new church building was constructed, the Ladies Aid not only donated $700 to the building fund, but in addition spent $725 for the comfortable benches, $123 for carpeting, and $40 for the altar painting. Had it not been for the diligent workings of the Ladies Aid, the interior of the church would very likely not be decked out so beautifully today nor would the parsonage have such a dignified appearance. What the society did for both has already been mentioned. After the membership rose to 73 in the first few years, it declined somewhat in the course of time. But the society has renewed its efforts to recruit new members. During the last few meetings, several new members signed up and the membership committee will not cease its efforts until the number reaches 100. There are 96 members at the moment. Its officers are; President, Emma Goldenbaum, Vice-president, Minnie Jarmuth, Secretary, Emma Suckow, and Treasurer, Elize Baumann. As it has in other years, the society will celebrate its anniversary this year. It will be the 21st anniversary celebrated in conjunction with the golden jubilee of the congregation.
Several times there was an effort made to establish a youth group. but each time it had to be abandoned due to lack of interest. But credit must be given to the last group for donating the porch at the parsonage and electric light to the church...
The Choir
The first choir was founded, as was mentioned before, by Pastor Wolf. At the moment, the choir consists of 11 ladies whose fine talents would be appreciated everywhere. One has to look far and wide to find a comparable choir. The worship services are enriched by its beautiful singing.
Top row, left to right: Laura Jarmuth, Clara Kante, Mabel Ruesch, Mrs. Schmidt, Florence Iserman, Clara Goldenbaum, Frances Mueller
Middle row, left to right: Martha Mayer, Evelyn Brown
Bottom row, left to right: Pearl Klehm, Minnie Jarmuth, Marie Mayer, Louise Mueller, Florence Klehm.
Now and then a children's choir of 15 girls takes the place of the Senior Choir during worship services.
Several members of the Ladies Aid practice their singing now and then in order to be able to do their part in enriching certain special festivities and funeral services for members. The organist, Mrs. Lillian Schmidt, conducts these choirs.
Golden Wedding Anniversaries
Two couples, from among the senior members, have been blessed to celebrate their golden wedding anniversaries: Johann Franz, who was our church custodian for 26 years, and his wife Marie, nee Pritznis, on the 25 September, 1898, in the old church and Frederich Scheuber and his wife Christina, nee Heiss, in 1908, in the new church. We hope that these are celebrating now in the heavenly wedding hall.
Ordinations
The following candidates were ordained to the holy ministry; John Scheuber, son of the above-mentioned Mr. and Mrs. F. Scheuber, on the 14th of May, 1899, and Heinrich Mueller, son of the late Joachim Mueller, on the 12th of June, 1904, and Otto Mayer, son of the present pastor on the date of this anniversary, September 8, 1918.
Endowments
Above were already mentioned John Ahrens, the Ladies Aid, Mrs. Louise Hufmeier and Mrs. Lillian Schmidt as donors of needed furnishing for the church. Just after completion of...
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