St. Peters Lutheran Church History
Along with the launch of the St. Peter's new website, it seems fitting that we turn back the pages of our records and give some thought to the growth and progress of St. Peter's Lutheran Church since its organization back in Civil War times, in 1862. The church was organized January 25,1862 by 12 men, some of whose descendants are still active members. There were three officers elected - president, secretary and treasurer. Until the newly formed church was able to secure the services of a regular pastor the secretary, Mr. T.H.F. Sieck read the Sunday services. The first services were held in the home of one of the members, but that building is no longer in existence, having succumbed to the ravages of time as well as the wheels of progress. One can easily imagine holding church service in a small long cabin in the family living quarters was not very satisfactory, and it was only 3 weeks later, on February 16,1862 that the congregation was resolved to build a church. This church was to be of weatherboard frame construction, 24 feet wide and 32 feet long, with six windows and a double door. Since the logs and lumber were furnished by members of the congregation from their wood lots, the church was built at a cost of only $115 by a Mr. Karl Krebs. Things moved speedily at that time, and little more than six months later the new little church was dedicated.
The church building being completed, the next business of the day was to call a pastor. On October 29, 1862 Rev. H. Graetzel became pastor of St. Peter's and in addition to his pastorate there was expected to hold occasional services for congregations in Kingsville and Long Green.
In 1865 a parsonage and schoolhouse were built beside the church. Rev. Graetzel taught school four days a week, but still found time to look after the health of the people of the neighborhood, and is reported to have been particularly successful in treating pneumonia cases. Not content with preaching, teaching and doctoring, the pastor presumably being of a mechanical turn of mind, invented a cog-toothed harrow, and built a reed organ for the church.
In October 1880 the congregation decided to build a new church, having fought a losing battle against termites in the original building. This second church was larger - 30' by 50'; and cost $2,200, including altar, pulpit and pews. The 400-pound church bell was acquired at this time. When it was decided to build, the congregation was in debt to its president, Mr. Heirich Lange, for $1,000. Mr. Lange generously cancelled the debt when the new building was begun. The dedication was held on August 31,1881.
On December 7,1890 Rev. Graetzel resigned after having served as pastor for nearly 28 years. He was succeeded by Rev. H. Heinzleman, of Frederick, MD. Under his pastorate the congregation made fair growth and no doubt it was partly on account of this new blood in the congregation that the decision was reached to have English services one Sunday a month, as most of the members who joined spoke English rather than German. Rev. Heinzleman died in 1908. St. Peter's did not immediately call a new pastor, but called Rev. Oscar Mees to serve in conjunction with his regular church at Hamilton. In order to hold two services on Sunday mornings Rev. Mees had to use the quickest method of transportation available, and the roar of his motorcycle rushing out of the church yard was to be heard during the singing of the last hymn.
In 1910 Rev. Mees resigned, and was succeeded by two temporary pastors - Rev. Schillinger and Rev. John Ebert. In 1911 the congregation called Rev. H. Neumann as regular pastor. He served the congregation for 13 years. During his time there was further growth in membership; the parochial school was discontinued; more English was used in the services, and progress made in building up the Sunday School.
The third church was building in 1913, at a cost of $5,612. The parsonage was replaced by a new dwelling, which we now call the Rock House, in 1922 at a cost of $8,000. Pastor Neumann resigned in January 1925 to accept a call in Bridgeport, Ohio.
In the spring of 1925 Rev. A.P. Ebert came. During his pastorate the parish hall was built in 1931. This was made possible by the annuity presented to the congregation by one of its old members, Mrs. Mary Weber. Rev. Ebert will long be remembered for his deep spirituality and steadfast Christianity. He resigned in July 1934 to go to Canton, Ohio.
On November 4,1934, Rev. Alvin W. Matz was installed. Under his able guidance the church has made noteworthy strides forward. In 1937 when the congregation was 75 years old, a new church was talked of. However the congregation still carried a debt of $3,000 and it was generally felt that this must be paid off first. This was done by the end of 1938, and a finance committee solicited subscriptions among the members for the new church. The approximate cost of the proposed building was to be about $30,000 and no work was to be undertaken until at least $10,000 of the fund was available. Pledges began coming in and in January 1939 bids for a new building were called for. The low bidder was L.R. and Clyde Andrew - who submitted a price of $34,757. This did not include the church furnishings. The difficulties were encountered when the vestry endeavored to negotiate a loan in order to go on with the building. Only about $5,000 had been paid into the building fund and on the basis of such a small equity a loan could not be secured. This was quite a disappointment, especially when it became apparent that repairs to the old church were imperative. The vestry struggled with the question of what could and what must be done. Finally they reached the decision that the best course would be to use the money that had been accumulated and to build a part of the new church. This was done, and the basement unit was the result.
When it was finally felt that the time was right for the completion of the planned building, the attendance figures showed that the original plan would not provide adequate seating space. Being unable to appeal to Mr. Wirsing, the original architect, on account of his ill health, the problem was put up to Moehl & Company. They reported an approximate price of $75,000 to enlarge and complete the church. Then in March 1951 six contractors submitted their bids, ranging from about $120,000 to $136,000. This was naturally quite disappointing and therefore Mr. Alfred Williams' subsequent bid of $103,000 was received with pleasure. He was awarded the contract, and thanks to his efforts the congregation was then ready to dedicate the new building.
In October 1952 the church was offered the adjoining Comes property. This would afford an excellent parking area, and the congregation authorized its purchase. Subsequently an offer was made by an individual to purchase the property for $6,250, the church to pay interest of 5% of this sum yearly until the death of this individual and his wife. This is the fourth parcel of land to be acquired by the congregation. In 1863 the original holding was increased by the purchase of one acre from Mr. Fitch for $150. In 1910 a parcel of land was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weiss to be added to the cemetery area.
The congregation showed a healthy growth during this period. In 1948 on account of increased volume of work in running the organization, the number of vestrymen was increased to 20. In that same year to WOTC, or Women of the Church, was organized and interest in missionary work was simulated. The Sunday School grew steadily, and was well organized. The debt incurred in erecting the first unit of our building was paid off in three years, a considerably shorter period than had been anticipated. The total membership as of January 1,1952 was 517.
After serving St. Peter's for 34 years, Pastor Matz retired. A call was extended and accepted by Pastor Earl Hively. He served St. Peters for about five years, after which he accepted another call in Pittsburgh. Being without a pastor, St. Peter's extended a call on Pastor Russell Finkenbine, which was accepted.
Pastor Finkenbine served St. Peters for about six years, until a heart attack prevented him from fulfilling his duties to the fullest. Upon his recovery, he continued to lead our congregation until he accepted a call to serve a congregation in Bermuda. It was during his tenure at St. Peter's that our organ was replaced with a new one, greatly enhancing the musical quality of our services. He was also instrumental in starting our day school. Pastor Finkenbine delivered his farewell sermon on September 14,1980.
Since Pastor Finkenbine had his heart attack, a special committee was formed to find an associate pastor to help him in his duties. A call was extended and accepted by Pastor Gary Roth, who came to our congregation in January 1979 as an associate pastor. After Pastor Finkenbine's departure, the call committee, which had been searching for a full-time pastor since Pastor Finkenbine announced his plans to leave, called Pastor Roth to assume the duties of our full-time pastor; and, he accepted. He was installed as our pastor in April of 1981.
Since the duties of a rural pastor are so time-consuming, there was again a need for an associate pastor. A call was extended to Pastor Dan Severson. He accepted our call and was installed as our associate pastor on November 21,1982.
It was during Pastor Roth's tenure that the church saw the need to expand their meeting areas, classrooms, and library. It was to be a wing of the existing church and educational building, but was delayed due to lack of funds. In the meantime, Pastor Roth continued to serve the congregation until 1985, when he received another call. A call for a full-time pastor was then extended to Dan Severson, which he accepted in November 1986.
Within a short time, help was needed for the ministry, and a call was extended to Pastor Karen Leedahl. She became our associate pastor, and the first woman pastor of St. Peter's, and served with dedication for a few years until she accepted another call. In 1992, the new building was dedicated.
Under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Daniel Severson, the church and Sunday School continued to prosper. In April of 1994, Pastor Dan informed the congregation that he had accepted a call to California. We were sorry to see him leave, after 10 years of spiritual guidance and service to our church; and a committee was formed to call a new pastor.
The year 1994 proved challenging, as we were without a regular pastor. After nearly a year, with the help of the committee and the synod, a new pastor was called to our congregation. In January of 1995, Pastor Mark Crispell was installed. We have prospered since his arrival, with new programs and a growth in fellowship; and he has proven himself an energetic, capable leader and a source of inspiration to our congregation. The Lord has been good to the parishioners of St. Peters, who in January 2000 will celebrate the 138th anniversary of their founding.