USA > Washington DC > History of St. Paul's English Lutheran Church : and of the work of the church and Sunday school for the semi-centennial year, including additional reports to June 30, 1893, with a synopsis of the semi-centennial services of the church and Sunday school, April 16 and 17, 1893 > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02263 5285
REYNOLDS : GENEALOGY CULLLVTTUN
Gc 975. 302 W270 7113093
S. DOMER.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION HISTORY
1843.
1893.
St. Paul's English Lutheran Church, . . OF
AND OF THE
WORK OF THE CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL
FOR THE
Semi-Centennial Year, including additional reports to June 30, 1893, with a Synopsis of the
SEMI-CENTENNIAL SERVICES OF THE CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL,
April 16 and 17, 1893.
COMPILED AND EDITED BY
REV. S. DOMER, D. D., Pastor, ASSISTED BY
L. D. ALDEN, Superintendent of the Sunday School.
" That ye may tell it to the generation following."
PUBLISHED BY THE CONGREGATION.
1893
Allen County Public Library Ft. Wayne, Indiana
MCGILL & WALLACE PRESS, WASHINGTON, D. C.
, 1892.
DIRECTORY
1893.
OF 7113093
St. Paul's Lutheran Church,
Corner 11th and H, N. W. Semi-Centennial Year.
Rev. S. DOMER, D. D., Pastor, Residence, 738 11th St. N. W.
Sunday Services-Morning at 11 o'clock. Evening at 7.30. Sunday School-9.30 A. M.
Catechetical Class-Sunday, 3 P. M.
Y. P. S. C. E .- Sunday, 6.30 P. M.
Junior Society .- Saturday, 2 P. M.
Lecture and Prayer Meeting-Thursday evening, at 7.30. Ladies' Aid Society-Second Tuesday evening of each month.
Womans' Home and Foreign Missionary Society- First Wednesday evening of each month.
Church Council-Second Friday evening of each month in the lecture room of the church at 7.30.
Choir Meeting-Every Friday evening in the church at 7.30.
MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL.
The Pastor-S. Domer, Chairman ex officio, 738 11th street northwest.
Elders-John C. Parker, 1430 Sixth street northwest ; A. S. Johnson, 929 N street northwest ; M. M. Rouzer, corner Fourth and H streets northeast.
Deacons-A. F. Fox, 16 Grant Place northwest ; Edward T. Kaiser, 507 M street northwest ; B. F. Meyers, 1209 Tenth street northwest; H. H. Seltzer, 443 Fifth street northeast.
4
HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
President of Council-John C. Parker.
Treasurer
A. F. Fox.
Secretary
H. H. Seltzer.
Financial Secretary-B. F. Meyers.
CHURCH CHOIR.
Soprano-Miss Sue Wilson, 203 A street southeast.
Alto-Miss Blanche Yewell, 1520 P street northwest.
Tenor-J. Scharf, 442 New York avenue northwest. Basso-W. A. Domer, 738 Eleventh street northwest.
Organist-Edwin I. Shope.
Director-W. A. Domer.
Organist at Lecture and Prayer Meeting-Miss Grace Fox.
Assistant at Lecture and Prayer Meeting-Miss Maggie Fox.
LADIES' AID SOCIETY. (Organized May, 1873.)
President-Mrs. J. C. Parker, 1430 Sixth street northwest. Vice-President-Mrs. S. Domer, 738 Eleventh St. N. W. Secretary-Miss Esther Linkins, 1808 G street northwest. Treasurer-Mrs. L. H. Schneider, 1322 Vermont avenue.
OFFICERS OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Pastor-Rev. S. Domer, D. D., 738 11th street northwest. Superintendent-Mr. Lucius D. Alden, 809 L St. N. W.
ASSISTANTS.
Adult Department-Mr. Dan. N. Klapp.
Intermediate-Mr. Chas. Phillips. Primary-Miss Grace E. Fox, Miss Nettie E. Seitz.
Secretaries-Mr. J. Granville Meyers, Mr. Philip Muth. Treasurer-Albert F. Fox. Librarians-Mr. Wm P. Belt, Mr. Geo. R. Linkins. Musical Director-Mr. George F. Muth. Organist-Miss Margaret R Fox. Assistant-Mr. Edward Muth.
5
ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
WOMAN'S HOME AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
(Organized April 28, 1884. ) OFFICERS. -
President, - - Mrs. E. C. OPPERMAN. Vice-President (now acting President), - Mrs. S. DOMER. Corresponding Secretary, Miss ANNIE ECKBERT.
Recording Secretary, - Miss GRACE E. Fox. - Mrs. A. F. Fox.
Treasurer,
Amount contributed, including box-work, since organi- zation, $686.07.
Y. P. S. C. E. OF ST. PAUL'S ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
OFFICERS.
President, -
-
-
Vice-President,
Mr. DAN. N. KLAPP. Mr. WM. P. BELT.
Recording Secretary, - Mr. CHAS. PHILLIPS. Corresponding Secretary, Miss NETTIE SEITZ.
Treasurer, Miss JENNIE BARRON.
COMMITTEES.
Prayer Meeting Committee .- L. D. Alden, Chairman ; Phillip E. Muth, Margaret Fox, Margie Hubert.
Look-out Committee .- George F. Muth, Chairman ; Ma- bel Griffiths, Lizzie Gibbs, Bettie Suman.
Social Committee .- Miss Grace E. Fox, Chairman; George R. Linkins, May A. Levers, Frank Meyers, Nora Thomas.
Flower Committee .- Mrs. J. G. Meyers, Jr., Chairman ; Harry Domer, Ella Keefer, Ed. Muth.
MEMBERS OF LADIES' AID SOCIETY, JANUARY, 1893.
Miss Louise Schneider, Mrs. C. G. Rheem, Mrs. Weaver, Mrs. M. DeMoll, Mrs. T. G. DeMoll, Mrs. J. Gristock, Miss Mary Farquhar, Mrs. J. C. Parker, Mrs. May Smith, Mrs. M. Chritzman, Mrs. M. A. Linkins, Mrs. G. W. Linkins,
6
HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
Miss. E. R. Linkins, Mrs. Dr. Taylor, Mrs. L. H. Schneider, Mrs. G. A. Riggles, Mrs. H. M. Schneider, Mrs. A. F. Fox, Mrs. J. G. Meyers, Mrs. Shafer, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Domer, Mrs. Reamer, Mrs. Rouzer, Mrs. Geo. Muth, Miss M. Davis, Mrs. E. C. Belt, Mrs. A. S. Johnson, Mrs. Barr, Miss E. Reiss, Mrs. Leeds, Mrs. Klink, Miss Kern, Mrs. Augusterfer, Mrs. Gettier, Mrs. Guentlier, Mrs. Monoghan, Mrs. Carrie Lang, Miss Mary Morgan, Mrs. Worley.
The Ladies' Aid Society has been one of the most faith- ful and helpful band of workers in the church. Their total receipts from date of organization to the present
have been. ·$4,629 99
Disbursements
4,521.60
Balance on hand, January, 1893
$108.39
MEMBERS OF WOMEN'S HOME AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
Mrs. E. Augusterfer, Mrs. J. Augusterfer, Mrs. Margaret Barr, Mrs. Beatty, Mrs. C. Boyer, Mrs. E. B. Corcoran, Mrs. Mary Chritzman, Mrs. S. Domer, Miss Lettie Ebert, Miss Annie Eckbert, Mrs. A. F. Fox, Miss Grace E. Fox, Miss Margaret Fox, Miss Julia Farquhar, Miss Mary Far- quhar, Mrs. H. L. Gettier, Mrs. Emma Guenther, Mrs. Hoff, Mrs. A. S. Johnson, Mrs. E. Johnson, Mrs. A. C. Klink, Mrs. Mary Linkins, Miss Hester R. Linkins, Mrs. C. H. Leeds, Mrs. R. L. Levers, Miss May Levers, Mrs. I. Moore, Mrs. G. F. Muth, Miss Bertie Muth, Mrs. J. G. Meyers, Mrs. J. Monoghan, Mrs. E. C. Opperman, Mrs. M. M. Rouzer, Mrs. C. B. Rheem, Mrs. Agnes Suman, Miss Bettie Suman, Mrs. A. S. Schultzbach, Mrs. L. H. Schneider, Mrs. L. M. Taylor, Miss Amelia Wagner, Mrs. Mary Worley.
HELPING HANDS, BAND OF KING'S DAUGHTERS.
(Organized March, 1889. )
MEMBERS-Mrs. L. L. Domer, Mrs. Edwin Clarkson, Mrs. J. G. Meyers, Jr., Miss Grace Fox, Miss Margaret
7
ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Fox, Miss Ella Clarkson, Miss Minnie Brown, Miss May Morgan, Miss Edith Morgan, Miss Ellen Boyer, Miss Belle Leeds. Mrs. L. L. Domer, President ; Miss Belle Leeds, Secretary ; Miss Grace Fox, Treasurer.
LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE Y. P. S. C. E. OF ST. PAUL'S ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Active .- Rev. S. Domer, George F. Muth, E. B. Corco- ran, Margaret Fox, Belle F. Leeds, Grace E. Fox, Bettie Suman, George R. Linkins, Wm. P. Belt, Lucius D. Alden, Margie Hubert, Chias. O. Krause, Charles Linkins, Amelia Wagner, Dan. N. Klapp, B. F. Meyers, Charles Viet, Harry T. Domer, Lettie S. Ebert, Charles Hennerburger, W. E. Zimmerman, Chas. Phillips, Mrs. J. G. Meyers, Nettie Seitz, Mrs. J. G. Meyers, Jr., J. Gran. Meyers, Jr., Minnie Barron, Jennie Barron, Nannie Fleming, Bertie Muth, Thomas F. Pendel, Mrs. Ayers, Nora Thomas, Jennie Thomas, Rose Smith, Amy Eckhardt, John M. Gibson.
Honorary Member .- Jolın C. Parker.
Associate .- Lee Pitchlynn, Philip E. Muth, Katy Decker, Zoda Kemp, May A. Levers, Nellie Mosheuvel, Minnie Brower, Russel Alden, Guy Ourand, J. W. Lawren- son, Willie Johnson, Gertie Barron, Lee Landers, Harry Krause, Mrs Schultzbach, Ed. Muth, Harry Johnson, Mabel Griffiths, Henry Hills, Ella Keefer, Clara Meyers, Ned. Thomas, Victor M. Hurley, Keefer Grahe, Chas. E Ball, Selma Spelshouse, Eva Betz, Blanche Pendal, Gertie Blue, Nellie McNulty, John J. Viet, Elizabeth Nixon, Frank Blue, Arthur Johnson, John Grahe, Guy Wright, Mary Moore, Pauline Hills, Maggie Jones, Ollie Jones, Clarence Brower, L. Gonsalus, Louie D. Leeds, Mr. Ermantraut, Miss Lizzie Gibbs.
(Leroy Duvall, Ernest Krause, William Clarkson, Charles Tilp, Charles Seltzer, Walter Kern, Frank Gummell, Fred. Gotthardt.) This class joined the Y. P. S. C. E. as a living testimonial to their deceased teacher, Mr. McCormick, shortly after it was assigned to their present teacher, Charles Phillips.
8
HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
The Young People's Christian Endeavor Society was or- ganized May 5th, 1890. The following persons were pres- ent at the organization : Lucius D. Alden, Master Russell Alden, George F. Muth, Ed. B. Corcoran, Emrick Hansell, Miss Grace Fox, Miss Nettie Seitz, Miss Belle Leeds, Miss Margie Hubert, George R. Linkins, Charles Linkins, and Edward Leeds. The first meeting was presided over by Lucius D. Alden. The following officers were elected at this meeting: George F. Muth, President; Lucius D. Alden, Ist Vice-President ; Miss Belle Leeds, 2d Vice-President ; George R. Linkins, Secretary and Treasurer. The first constitution was adopted October 3d, 18 jo, and remained without change until April 27th, 1892, when the amended and improved constitution by which the society now is gov- erned, was adopted. The society has been steadily gaining in strength and efficiency, and now numbers nearly 100 members.
The present officers, elected May 5tl1, 1893, are the follow - ing : George F. Muth, President; George R. Linkins, Vice-President ; Miss Mabel Griffiths, Recording Secretary ; Miss Nettie Seitz, Corresponding Secretary ; Miss Maggie Jones, Treasurer.
94
JOHN C. PARKER. A. F. FOX.
EDWARD T. KAISER.
A. S. JOHNSON. REV. S. DOMER, D. D.
M. M. ROUZER.
H. H. SELTZER. B. F. MEYERS.
9
ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
PREFACE.
The subject of the Golden Jubilee of St. Paul's English Lutheran Church was introduced at a regular session of the church council, October 14, 1892. A resolution was passed unanimously "That we, as a council and for the church, take action to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of our church, and to hold appropriate services befitting the occa- sion." At subsequent meetings the matter was more fully discussed, and the preparatory steps taken to accomplish the purpose thus proposed. The members of the congre- gation as well as the the officers heartily concurred in the movement, and earnestly cooperated with them in making the jubilee anniversary successful.
At a meeting of the council February 10, 1893, on motion of brother A. F. Fox, a resolution was passed fixing Sunday, April 16, 1893, as the time for our semi-centennial celebration. Although the preliminary movement for the organization of St. Paul's took place on January 2, 1843, yet, as the organization was not fully consummated until the 15th of April, Easter Sunday, of 1843, it was agreed that Sunday and Monday, April 16 and 17, 1893, would be the most suitable and practicable time for us to hold the anni- versary services and festivities.
After various meetings of the council had been held, and semi-centennial matters had been fully discussed, it was determined to invite all the living ex-pastors to be present at the anniversary, viz .: J. E. Graeff, of Philadelphia; J. G. Butler, of Washington; and H. B. Belmer, of Osborne, Ohio ; and also the associate pastors of the third pastor who had labored with him during the formative period of the Memorial Church, that they be represented at the anniver- sary, either in person or by communications. These were : H. C. Grossman, of Anna, Illinois; H. S. Cook, of Waynes- boro, Pennsylvania; and W. E. Parson, pastor of the Church of the Reformation, of Washington ; also Rev. Dr. J. G. Morris, of Baltimore, and Rev. Dr. F. W. Conrad, of
IO
HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
Philadelphia, both of whom had been the friends and helpers of St. Paul's ever since the church was organized. The pastor was requested to prepare a history of the con- gregation and Sunday school, assisted by the superinten- dent, with an account of the anniversary services-and all to be published as soon as possible, as our jubilee souvenir. Brothers E. T. Kaiser and John C. Parker were appointed the Committee on Publication.
At the meeting of the council March 23, 1893, the fol- lowing committees on the semi-centennial celebration were announced by the pastor and agreed upon by the council.
It was ordered that the grand reception and banquet with which the festivities were to close should be held on Mon- day evening, in the National Rifles' Armory on G street, as the most commodious and suitable place for the closing scenes and exercises. The banquet was placed in charge of the ladies of the congregation ; and it was, moreover, de- cided that all the festivities should be absolutely without charge to the guests of the church on this occasion. A strong Finance Committee was appointed to provide the necessary funds, and their large success in this direction made this fiftieth anniversary one of the grandest and most generous occasions ever enjoyed in the city. When the excellent program was ended in the large audience room on the second floor, and one thousand people marched into the banqueting hall below and took their seats at the tables so bountifully supplied with everything to make the feast complete, and decorated with a profusion of flowers suffi- cient to make it a fairy scene, there was ONE PASTOR pres- ent who felt supremely and excusably proud of the ladies of his congregation, and whose benedictions and felicitations went out to all the members of his church who had so generously and harmoniously cooperated in making all the festivities of the great anniversary a· season of unequalled gratification and joy.
II
ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The following are the committees above referred to : RECEPTION COMMITTEE.
Mr. John C. Parker, 1430 6th street northwest.
A. F. Fox, 16 Grant Place.
M. M. Rouzer, 332 H street northeast.
A. S. Johnson, 925 N street northwest.
E. T. Kaiser, 508 M street northwest.
B. F. Meyers, 1209 roth street northwest.
H. H. Seltzer, 445 5th street northeast.
L. D. Alden, 809 L street northwest. Thomas F. Pendel, 304 M street northwest.
C. Boyer, 943 Virginia avenue southwest. George W. Linkins, 1808 G street northwest. W. G. H. Clarkson, 1241 5th street northwest.
J. G. Meyers, 1209 10th street northwest.
J. A. Weigle, 1912 New Hampshire avenne northwest.
E. B. Corcoran, 904 10th street northwest.
COMMITTEE ON MUSIC.
Mr. William A. Domer, 738 11th street northwest. Jacob Scharf, 442 New York avenue northwest. E. I. Shope, 207 C street northeast.
Miss Sue H. Wilson, 203 A street southeast. Blanche Yewell, 1520 P street northwest.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Mr. A. S. Johnson, Chairman and Treasurer, 925 N St. N. W. A. F. Fox, 16 Grant Place. E. G. Schafer, 426 11th street northwest.
George F. Muth, 908 8th street northwest.
E. T. Kaiser, 508 M street northwest.
Philip Hermann, 224 K street northwest.
E. S. Clarkson, 634 2d northeast.
Theo G. DeMoll, 430 8th street southeast. John C. Parker, 1430 6th street northwest.
M. M. Rouzer, 332 H street northeast. George W. Linkins, 1808 G street northwest.
Charles H. Leeds, 1314 6th street northwest.
C. B. Rheem, 1612 S street northwest.
C. S. Domer, 738 11th street northwest. Mrs. Dr. Taylor, 1221 Massachusetts avenue northwest. J. G. Meyers, 1209 10th street northwest. Dr. Judd, 600 7th street southwest.
Miss Sophie Pitchlynn, 1104 6th street northwest. Grace Fox, 16 Grant Place.
Amy Eckhardt, 1140 18th street northwest,
12
HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
COMMITTEE ON DECORATIONS.
Mr. John F. McClain, 717 9th street northwest. Harry M. Schneider, 812 11th street northwest. Emil G. Schaefer, 426 11th street northwest. Ferd Schneider, 1322 Vermont avenue northwest. Lee Pitchlynn, 1104 6th street northwest. E. T. Kaiser, 507 M street northwest.
J. Granville Meyers, 1258 8th street northwest.
J. J. Veit. 1506 8th street northwest Andrew McClain.
J. Jacobson, 2502 I street northwest. Edmund K. Fox, 16 Grant Place. Harry Hamilton.
1 .. H. Emmert, 719 12th street northwest. Samuel Cotterel.
CORRESPONDENCE, INVITATIONS, AND PROGRAMS.
Mr. E. T. Kaiser, Chairman, 508 M street northwest. Robert Clarkson, 1241 5th street northwest.
Miss Mollie E. Davis, 1216 L, street northwest. Emma O. Meyers, 1209 10th street northwest.
Sunday school services to be under the direction of the superintendent, Mr. L. D. Alden, and the pastor, Rev. S. Domer.
BANQUET COMMITTEES. No. 1.
Mrs. Lient. Gibbons, Chairman, 1336 I street northwest. E B. Corcoran, 904 10th street northwest.
J. F. Sheetz, 748 6th street northwest.
J. Granville Meyers, Jr., 1258 8th street northwest. T. F. Levers, 1219 I street northwest. John Thomas, 812 6th street northwest. K. M. Veit, 1506 8th street northwest.
O. W. White, 1336 I street northwest.
No. 2.
Miss Sophie Pitchlynn, Chairman, 1104 6th street northwest. Mrs I. H. Schneider, 1322 Vermont avenue northwest. Mollie Morgan, 929 New Hampshire avenue northwest. Dr Taylor, 1221 Massachusetts avenue northwest. J G. Weaver, 936 Florida avenue northwest.
13
ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Mrs. M. Chritzman, 624 I street northwest. Margaret Barr, 722 6th street northwest. Charles Leeds, 1314 6th street northwest. Miss Mary Farquahar, 1522 16th street northwest. Margaret Fox, 16 Grant Place.
No. 3.
Mrs. Samuel Domer, Chairman, 738 11th street northwest.
J. G. Meyers, 1209 toth street northwest.
A. F. Fox, 16 Grant Place.
William Linkins, ISO8 G street northwest.
Jolın C. Parker, 1430 6th street northwest.
M. M. Rouzer, 332 H street northeast.
E. S. Reese, 419 6th street northwest.
Frank Augusterfer, 804 E street northeast.
D. C. W. Ourand, 428 Massachusetts avenue northwest. Minnie Ourand, 934 I street northwest.
E. C. Belt, 614 22d street northwest.
W. F. Reamer, 905 New York avenue northwest.
W. H. Spelshouse, 1028 7th street northwest. J. T. Chauncey, 221 I street northwest.
Agnes Suman, 228 10th street northeast.
No. 4.
Mrs. A. S. Johnson, Chairman, 925 N street northwest. Miss Hettie Linkins, 1808 G street northwest, Clara Meyers, 1209 10th street northwest. Bettie Suman, 639 I street northwest.
Mrs. H. M. Schneider, 812 11th street northwest. Annie Riggles, 911 Massachusetts avenue northwest.
William W. Stewart, 402 6th street northwest. J. F. McClain, 717 9th street northwest. J. Eckhardt, 1140 18th street northwest. Ida Bergling, 1219 6th street northwest.
No. 5.
Mrs. George F. Muth, Chairman, 908 8th street northwest. Nelson Guenther, 307 G street northwest. T. A. T. Judd, 600 7th street southwest. Mary Thomas, 625 K street northwest. John Monaghan, 206 G street northwest. Josephine Gristock, 430 Sth street southeast. William Clarkson, 1241 5th street northwest. Courtland Boyer, 943 Virginia avenue southwest.
14
HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
Miss Alice Kern, 452 M street northwest. Mrs. N. Z. Seitz, 1124 8th street northwest. Emilius Duvall, 1140 8th street northwest. John Harris, 1109 Ioth street northwest. Phil. Richardson, Le Enfant, corner Ioth and H streets. Rosenbaumn, Linden street northeast.
L. D. Alden, So9 L street northwest.
Gustav Rott, 1006 6th street northwest.
No. 6.
Miss Nettie Seitz, Chairman, 1124 Sth street northwest. Grace Fox, 16 Grant Place.
Margaret Fox, 16 Grant Place.
Mary Morgan, 929 New Hampshire avenue northwest.
Belle Leeds, 1314 6th street northwest.
May Levers, 1219 I street northwest.
Mamie Thomas, 625 K street northwest.
Margie Hubert, 903 6th street northwest.
Bertie Muth, 908 8th street northwest. Clara Ruth, 503 13th street northwest.
Katie Decker, 1108 6th street northwest. Ella Clarkson, 1238 5th street northwest.
Jennie Barron, 736 11th street northwest.
Zada Kemp, 600 7th street southwest.
15
ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
HISTORY
OF
ST. PAUL'S ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D. C. 1843-1893.
A NY history of Lutheranisin in Washington City must necessarily begin with the German Con- cordia Church, whose fine new house of wor- ship, completed last summer, stands at the cor- ner of 20th and G streets northwest. This church, antedating all others in the District of Columbia, is entitled to the distinction of being called the Mother Church. An interesting and quaint old record concern- ing the title to the lot on which the Concordia Church building stands shows that it was transferred and set apart for the use of the Lutheran Church by a man by the name of Jacob Funk, in the year of our Lord 1768- one hundred and twenty-five years ago. This date, therefore, goes back to colonial times, and makes the title older than the Republic itself-older than the Declaration of Independence by eight years.
This date brings us within twenty-six years of the Patriarch Muhlenberg's first missionary labors in the city of Philadelphia. Mr. Jacob Funk is made to appear in this old record as having been the owner of a tract of land lying "between Rock Creek and Goose Creek, on the Potomac, in Prince George's County, Maryland." Here he laid out a town which he called Hamburg, and
16
HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
in this town of Hamburg he gave lot No. 183 for the use of a "German Lutheran congregation." The village thus laid out by Mr. Funk seems to have taken his own name popularly, rather than the one he had given it, and so was usually called Funkstown. It is an interesting fact, therefore, in our local church history that long before the Capital of the new Nation was located on the Potomac the Lutheran Church had a "local liabitation and a name " here, in the ownership of ground, although 110 organization existed at the time, and none for many years afterward. At any rate, no history is at hand to show that any church had been organized at so early a date.
From the Concordia annals I learn that the first formal organization took place on the 27th of January, 1833. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Mr. Ungerer, and his introductory sermon was preached on the 17th of February, 1834. Concordia Church is now a large and flourishing congregation, whose present pastor, Rev. Ernst Drewitz, labors with much accept- ance and success among the people of his charge.
St. Paul's English Lutheran Church.
As the Concordia Church takes the first place in the order of time among the Lutheran churches of Wash- ington, so St. Paul's English Lutheran Church stands first in the line of the English Lutheran churches which have been established in the Capital City of the Nation. The importance and the necessity of an English organ- ization engaged the attention of friends of the church of the Reformation for several years before an actual movement in this direction was made. Both among the Germans in the Concordia Church and the friends out- side of that organization it was felt that an English church ought to be formed as soon as possible. The
I7
ENGI,ISH LUTHERAN CHURCH.
young people were anxious for it, and some of the fathers and mothers entered into deep sympathy witlı the existing necessities for such a movement. The country was English, the Capital was an English-speak- ing city, and there must be English-speaking churches, as well as German, in order to meet the demands of the country and the times. The young people, in the pro- gress of the years, in the processes of American citizen- ship, and in the development and growth of the church, would, of necessity, become English; and, therefore, awake to the situation, and measuring up to the respon- sibilities which God in his providence put before them, a number of persons presently united in an association preparatory to the organization of an English church. On the 2d of January, 1843, the decisive step was taken. The official record is in the following words :
" We whose names are hereunto written do agree to form ourselves into an association for the purpose of Divine worship and the public profession of christian faith, according to tlie Doctrines, Discipline, and For- mula of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Synod of the State of Maryland and of the General Synod of the same church in the United States of North Amer- ica-the style and title to be denominated The English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Washington, D. C."
Forty names appear on the original paper. They are the following, and it would appear tliat each person signed. for himself and his family: H. W. Voss, C. P. Sengstag, Charles Schussler, Charles Utermehle, C. Klopfer, Henry Schultz, David Fowble, Jolın F. Kall, Benedict Yost, P. A. Erbs, J. Casparis, Wmn. Jacobi, Andrew Noerr, J. Jacob Seufferlee, John A. Emmons, Win. C. Eckloff, Gottfried Eckloff, Grafton Powell, James H. Jones, John E. Scheel, Henry Grieb, Win. Utermehle, George C. Siebel, A. Gladmon, Cornel Andrae, W. D. Einbrod, J. C. Roemele, John P. Stallings, R. Heit-
18
HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S
müller, Jacob Acker, Charles F. Bihler, Nicholas Acker, Nicholas Funk, Herman Esselbrugge, F. S. Kern, Henry W. Bergman, Nicholas Schneider, F. F. Stuck, John Moore, Win. R. Woodward. Some of these had been connected with the Concordia Church; others, un- affiliated with that church or any other in the city, united with them in the new movement, and thus inau- gurated with hopeful outlook the English Lutheran work of the city.
But very few of the original signers remain. Only three of them, so far as known to the writer, yet remain on the hither side of life; they are F. S. Kern and John E. Scheel, of Washington, and David Fowble, of West- minster, Md. The first death among the founders of the English church was Henry Grieb, a member of the first council. His death was tenderly announced in an official meeting October 9th, 1843, and his christian character and usefulness fitly attested by the unanimous resolution of his brethren at that meeting.
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