USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Columbia > History of Columbia and Columbia precinct, Monroe County, Illinois, 1859-1959 and centennial celebration, Columbia, Illinois, July 3-4-5, 1959 > Part 7
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The team record for 1958-1959 season stands at 24 wins and 6 losses with two games remaining to be played at the date of writing May 6, 1959.
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ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
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RESIDENCE OF THE SISTERS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL
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IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH
PARSONAGE OF ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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ST. PAUL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
The History of St. Paul's Evangelical Church, known later as St. Paul Evangelical and Reformed Church and now as St. Paul United Church of Christ.
St. Paul's Evangelical Church was founded in the year 1849 through a Rev. Christian Schrenk, who came from New Orleans and served the church from 1848-49, Ilc was commissioned to America in 1844, having received his ordination in London, After a year in Columbia, he return. ed to New Orleans, but must have returned later as his tenure was from 1819-1854. Rev. G. Weitbrecht, who was the pastor at Zoar Evangelical Church at New Hanover, al- so preached nt Columbia in 18-19 and 1850. A brick church was erected here in 18-19 which served the congregation until 1888.
Following Rev. Christian Schrenk came Rev. G. Stein- crt who served here from 1854-61; Rev. M. Fotsch 1861-63; Rev. Theodore Klingsohr 1863-66; Rev. E. Otto 1866-70; Rev L. Reymann 1870-72; Rev. W. Wahl 1872-73; Rev. Jul. Jus Hoffmann 1873-74; Rev. Carl Kautz 1875-80; Rev. Jul- Jus Hoffmann 1880-83; Rev. L. H. Buehrlg 1883-1890; Rev. Theodore Krueger 1890-93. The next three pastors, Rev. G. Doernenberg, Rev. W. Schlinckmann and Rev. E. J. Wes- terbeck served successive periods of fifteen years each. In the interim between Rev Schlinekmann and Rev. Wester- beck, Rev. J. Nollau of Waterloo, served Columbia for six months. Rev. G. A. Friz came to Columbia from Quincy, Il- linois on January 25, 1939 and is still serving in 1959, a period of twenty years. On April 27, 1958 the congregation called the Rev. Norman H Rahmoeller as co-pastor, thus beginning a dual ministry for St. Paul. Rev. Rahmoeller began his ministry on August 1, 1958.
The history of the Evangelical Church begins in Ger- many. The Reformed Church or German Reformed Church was established in 1747. The Evangelical Synod was the union in 1840 of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches in Prussia. This union met with considerable opposition. However it was most successful in the regions of West- phalla, along the Rhine; in Baden; and in Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Darmstadt. The result of the union of the Re- formed and Lutheran churches was not one church, but three, for another denomination was formed. This was known as Die Unierte (United) Church or the Evangelical Church. Many of the Columbia immigrants came from these regions, and helped to found the Evangelical Church in Columbia.
The tide of German immigrants in the early 1800's left their homeland because of high taxes, political oppression, hard times and religious tyranny. They made their way to America, many landing at New Orleans and then up the Mississippi to St. Louis and some eventually settled in Columbia. These immigrants wanted to worship God, free from religious and political tyranny, and they were ever watchful of anything that smattered of oppression As a consequence, most of them opposed slavery and were willing to fight for their belief, many of them volunteer- ing their services to President Lincoln.
The early records of the church deteriorated and are Illegible because of an improperly sealed cornerstone in the second church. This second church was proposed in 1879 and was finally built and dedicated In 1888. This church served until 1927. The cost of the second church was $7000 and by 1893 the congregation had liquidated the debt.
In 1926 it became apparent that the church was 100 small, and under the pastorate of Rev. Westerbeck It was enlarged at the cost of $71,000 and the new church dedi- cated in February of 1927.
In 1946 the congregation was planning for the Cen- tennial in 1949. The Sunday School was too small, the church attendance had grown and the church was too small The congregation decided to enlarge the church, install a new organ and chancel and redecorate the church. On Sunday, Oct. 16, 1919, this new building was dedicated.
In 1955 a Program of Progress, involving a new par- sonage to be built to the north of the church, the conver- sion of the old parsonage into an educational unit, and some minor changes In the church building proper, was planned for completion by 1957. The final costs of these improvements exceeded $50,000. The entire church and parsonage arca of one block frontage had been complete- ly altered in appearance by the completion of the pro- jects. The new parsonage was dedicated in September of 1956. The brick parsonage which was built in 1873, en- larged in 1908, was converted into an educational unit. The Rev. Norman H. Rahmoeller took up his residence in the parsonage in August of 1958; the Rev. Dr. Friz now resides at 302 W. Gundlach St.
At present (April 1959) the congregation of over 1400 souls is planning for the 110th anniversary to be observed in October 1959.
In 1939 a new constitution was adopted and the church officially incorporated under the name of St. Paul Evangelical and Reformed Church. With the merger in 1958 with the Congregational Christian Church, the con- gregation was to be known as St. Paul United Church of Christ (Evangelical and Reformed). When final merger proceedings have been accomplished the church shall be a part of a denomination of over two million members-, the United Church of Christ.
For more than fifteen years, the congregation has met all of its expenses and the costs of all building projects by a method of direct giving, depending entirely upon the free-will gifts of the members without resorting to any money-making affairs. The splendid support in the past years attests to confidence among the membership in this laudable method of church support.
Church personnel includes: Rev. Gerhard A. Friz. D. D. Pastor; Rev. Norman H. Rahmoeller, B. D., Co-Pastor; Mrs. A. Klein, Organist: Mrs. Charles E. Brucker, Secretary; Delbert Arras, Custodian-Sexton; Mrs. Clara Kilian, House- keeper; Mrs. A. Krupnik, Choir Director; Miss Dolores Fiege, Assistant Organist and Children's Choir Director; Mrs. F. Eppinger, Girls' Choir Director.
The Sunday School statistics show an enrollment of 396 pupils and 63 officers and teachers for a total of 459. There are 76 on the cradle roll which includes the non- attending nursery and pre-nursery children. This makes a grand total of 535 on the Sunday School roll.
The Consistory includes: Elders: W. E. Stanhope. President; Paul lleisler, Vice President; Herbert Schueler. Deacons: Mrs. William Kuergeleis, Financial Secretary; Ray Ramsey, Treasurer: Carl Riebeling, Secretary; Mrs. Gus Stumpf. Mrs. Clifford Haberl, Lester Lammers. Trus- tees: Fred Richert, Earl Muskopf, Erwin Wink.
1959 Officers of Organizations
The Women's Guild: President, Mrs. Elmer G. Rauch; Vice President, Mrs. John Jahr; Secretary, Mrs. Theo. Klein; Treasurer, Miss Carrie Hoffmann; Financial Sec- retary. Mrs. Walter Giffhorn, Sr.
The Evening Guild: President, Miss Dolores Flege, Vice President, Mrs. Richard McClellan; Secretary, Mrs. Robert Winters; Treasurer, Mrs. Gene Pomeroy,
The Churchmen's Brotherhood: President, Herhert Schnefer; Vice President, Oscar Roever; Secretary, Rob-
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ert L. Tunze; Treasurer, Victor Breidecker.
The Junior Women's League: President, Mrs. Paul Heisler; Vice President, Mrs. Fred Weisenborn; Secretary, Mrs. Billy Lewis; Treasurer, Miss Lydia Theobald.
The Youth Fellowship: President, Richard Kean; Vice President, Betty Durrer; Secretary, Evelyn Lammers; Treasurer, David Brinson; Adult Advisors, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Divers.
The Fidesta Bible Class: President, Mrs. Lucretia Schueler; Vice President, Miss Hulda Breidecker; Secre- tary, Mrs. E. T. Lark; Treasurer, Miss Olivia Arnin.
Sunday School: Jack Brucker, General Superintendent; Paul Heisler, Assistant General Superintendent; Mrs. Ray- mond Kremmel, Secretary; Arthur Klemm, Treasurer.
HISTORY OF ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the church named after the great Reformer, Dr. Martin Luther. This church accepts the canonical books of the Old and New Testa- ments as the infallible, revealed word of God; and ad- heres to the "Book of Concord" from the year 1580 as its confession.
The history of St. Paul's of Columbia dates back to 1841 when Pastor George Albert Schieferdecker did mis- sionary work here and also at Holy Cross Church in Sugar Loaf. He was serving as a pastor of the Holy Cross con- gregation in Wartburg at the time. Services were conduc- ted in the farm homes of Jacob Beck and Heinrich Schmidt, and other farm homes. In 1846 Jacob Beck moved to Columbia and from that time on services were conducted in Columbia.
At this time it seemed there would be a large congre- gation, but there was a division of thought and many sub- scribed to the Reformed doctrines, and severed their con- nections with the Lutheran church. Only a few remained loyal to the Lutheran Confessions, and these were served by Pastor Schieferdecker until 1849. In that year he was called to Altenburg, Missouri.
Pastor Schieferdecker was one of the seven hundred people who emigrated to America from Saxony, Germany in 1838. These people wanted to go to a land where they could worship God in safety according to the dictates of their conscience.
Pastor Schieferdecker was one of the original signers of Synod's Constitution. He also served as the first presi- dent of the Western district of the Lutheran church. This district was organized in 1854 and consisted of 122 con- gregations, 46 pastors and professors, and 11 teachers in the states of Missouri, Illinois and Louisiana.
From 1849 to 1881 the Columbia Lutheran church had its own parochial school teachers, Gottlieb Heid serving as the first teacher in the Christian Day School.
In 1849 a brick building 36x44 feet was erected at a cost of $2300 which served as church and school, and here Mr. Heid taught from 1849 until 1854. Further school teachers of this Christian Day School wlil be found in the history of Columbia Schools in this book.
Pastor Renneke was called to Columbia in 1850. He served this congregation and the Holy Cross congregation at Sugar Loaf from 1850 to 1855. In 1849 the Columbia congregation was formally organized and joined the Syn- od in 1851.
Because of crowded conditions in the school, where services were also being held, in 1854 the congregation voted to build a church. This also was of brick construc- tion. It was dedicated in 1854 and to this day stands, now being in use as a home. One of the principal speakers at
the dedication was Dr. F. C. Walther, first president of the Synod.
In 1855 Pastor Renneke accepted a call to another parish. St. Paul's of Columbia, Holy Cross of Sugar Loaf and Trinity (Millstadt) united in one parish and Pastor F. W. Holls became pastor of all three. He served the parish for 27 years. Due to increased enrollment (about 70 children), in 1870 a new school was built. This was also a brick building. In 1882 Pastor Holls accepted a call to New Jersey.
The congregation called a pastor of their own in 1882, Pastor A. O. Engel from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He came to Columbia in 1883 and stayed two years. From 1885 to 1887 students from the Seminary in St. Louis came to conduct services.
In 1887 Rev. E. Schlingman came for two months and resigned. In 1888 Rev. G. W. Langehennig became the pastor of the church. During his stay a member of the congregation willed the congregation a two story brick house and a building site. The member was A. J. Rein- bothe. In 1898 Rev. Langehennig left and Rev. H. Meyer came to the congregation. During his ministry the two story house was remodeled to serve as a parsonage. Other ministers up to the present time were: Rev. J. Bucka, 1901-03; Candidate W. F. Wilk, 1904-08; Rev. P. Hassenflug, 1908-10; Candidate H. F. Ramelow, 1911-13; Rev. H. A. Huebotter, 1913-16; Candidate G. Groerich, 1916-21; Rev. J. Losse 1921-26; Rev. F. Duecker, 1926-36; Rev. N. Hildebrandt, 1936-56; Rev. Herman C. Lehen- bauer, 1956 -.
During Rev. F. Duecker's pastorate the present church was erected. It was finished in 1927 at a cost of about $15,000, most of this paid in cash by members and friends.
This congregation is affiliated with the Lutheran Chuch-Missouri Synod, the tenth largest single church body in America, numbering more than two million Christ- ians.
In Springfield, Illinois and in St. Louis, Missouri there are Lutheran Seminaries, training camps for ministers. At 3558 South Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, is the Lutheran Publishing House; also the offices of the "In- ternational Luther Hour"; the Lutheran Laymen's League and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. The youth program, the Walther League, has headquarters in Chi- cago, Illinois.
The congregation numbers 333, of which 190 are com- municant members.
Church organizations are: Sunday School, Confirma- tion Classes, Church Membership Classes, Bible Classes. There are also The Ladies Aid Society, the Men's Club, the Walther League, the Married Couples Club and the choir. Officers of these last are as follows:
Ladies Society: Mrs. Marvin Mueller, President; Mrs. Paul Koblitz, Secretary; Mrs. Hazel Roessler, Treasurer.
Men's Club: LeRoy Moehrs, President; Marvin Muel- ler, Secretary; Otto Salger, Treasurer.
Walther League: Jackie Wayland, President; Connie Kremmel, Secretary; Kenneth Hinrichs, Treasurer.
Married Couples Club: Vernon Smith, President; Mrs. Harold Diehl, Secretary-Treasurer.
Choir: Mrs. Ralph Mathews, Director.
Sunday School Superintendents: Melvin Fritz and Stanley Herbst.
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HISTORY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH AND PARISH, COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS
Germans of the Catholle religion, primarily from Ba- varia and a few from llanover, arrived in and around Columbia about 1835. Among these were Robert and Peter Frierdich, Joseph Platz, Valentine Janson, John Beckerle, John Pfeffer, John Bohlman, the Petris, Gundlachs, Mos- bachers and Weckers.
During the years from 1810 to 1860 came the Brands, Schmidts, Kuehners, Wildes, Riebelings, Schulers, Eich- muellers, Reis, Ritters, Koenigsmarks, Vahles, Kolmers, Weilbachers, Habermehls, Juenglings, Oexners, Iler- manns, MeQuades, Knotts and others.
At first they attended church at St. Thomas Church established around 1835 to 1840. This was about six or seven miles away, or they went to Cahokia, ten miles away, or to Belleville, a full day's journey. The first ser- vices were held in the home of Dr. Knott, with Rev. Ostlangenberg of Belleville. Later on services were held in the homes of the Oexners, Einwichs and Frierdichs. Among the visiting missionaries were Rev. Philip Raphael, Rev. M. Prendergast, Rev. H. Liermann, Rev. J. Gallagher and Rev. P. J. Baltes.
Next a permanent location for a church was a log cabin on the property recently acquired from Fred Jueng- ling. In 1846, Dr. Knott, Peter Frierdich, Joseph Platz, John Beckerle, Valentine Janson and others urged the erection of their own church. James McQuade donated the ground, Lot 25, original town of Columbia, then dug the foundation himself. Others donated stone, lumber, and did the work themselves. The church was small, 60×35 feet, but it was their own church. This new parish was founded in 1846 and dedicated to Mary Immaculate and called the Immaculate Conception Church.
In 1858 Rev. Arnold Pinkers of Belgium became the first resident pastor. He made his home with Peter Frierdich, who lived a mile from the church and Father Pinkers thought it advisable to have a parish rectory, which was erected on Lot 6 for $1688.00. The Jot was bought from Mary Christy for $15.00.
In 1860 came Rev. Francis Bloesinger and in 1861 Rev. Wm. Koenig. During this time church bells were pur- chased-"Henry" weighing 10041/2 pounds and "Elizabeth" 275 pounds. The price was $982.50. Rev. Koenig died and the parish was without a priest for six months. In 1863 Rev. Julius Maurer, a native of the Tyrol came. The church was becoming too small so Lot 27 was purchased from llenry Schumacher and in 1866 a brick building 90×55, seating capacity 400, was erected. The final cost was $9,585.00. It was dedicated December 12, 1867. Dur- ing March of 1870 the town disbanded its town square at the intersection of Main and Market and deeded the 60 foot frontage of Lot 25 to the church. After 27 years in Columbia, Rev. Maurer returned to the Tyrol, where he died In 1919. In 1892 Rev. Bernard Claus was named to the church. During this period three Gothic altars, a new confessional, a communion ralling, and a new heating system were added. On May 19, 1903 Father Claus died of a heart attack, and his assistant, Rev. Joseph Duenn of St. Louis was appointed administrator until Rev. Henry Goosens was made pastor. In 1916 Father Goosens re- signed the pastorate because of ill healih.
Rev. Charles Kuhlman was appointed in 1916. During this time a modern brick school was erected. The old school, which was the original church, and which had been enlarged and remodeled several times, was too small. Lots 7 and 8 were chosen as the site of the school, and a four-room one story brick building with basement,
facing Washington street, north of the convent was
erected at a cost of $16,000.
In 1923 Father Kuhlman died and Rev. Otto Meler be- came pastor. In 1927 the size of the church was doubled and the outside stuccoed, the improvements costing $31 .- 000. First services In the church were on February 12, 1928 and the dedication was on September 3, 1928 by the Most Reverend Bishop. In April 1930 Father Meler died, loved and esteemed by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Shortly afterward Rev. J. F. Wiemer was appointed. Under his administration the parish cemetery was placed In excellent order. On April 4, 1934 Rev. John F. Schreuder became his successor. In 1937 Rev. Schreuder visited his home in Holland and Rev. Gabriel Verkamp, O. S. B. as- sumed his place. In 1938 the Bishop obtained a schon! bus to take high school age children to Central Catholic High School and St. Teresa Academy at E. St. Louis.
The church centennial was to be celebrated in 1946 and in honor of this auspicious event the church was re- decorated and stately marble altars were donated by members of the parish. The high altar was in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Weilbacher by their children; the Blessed Virgin altar by Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Vogt; the St. Joseph altar in memory of Mrs. Mary Menner by Leo Menner. Improvements and decorations cost from 1938 to 1946, $12,700.
In 1946 at the close of one hundred years of existence the families of the parish numbered 240 with about 810 souls.
On October 17, 1905 the church was robbed and rifled. Two months later the thief again returned and sacred vessels were stolen. Eight other robberies occurred in the community that same night. Twenty-two years later, or in 1927, the sacred vessels were found buried beneath a railroad bridge near the city.
On October 24, 1946 the present church was conse- crated by His Excellency The Most Reverend Henry Althoff. D. D.
In the spring of 1954, Father Schreuder was granted a two and a half month leave of absence to regain his health, and on June 3rd of that year left for a visit to his native land of Holland. During this leave Father Kushler was assigned to the parish. The year 1954 having been declared as the Marian Year by the lloly Father the parish entered a float in the American Legion parade that year entitled "Our Lady of Fatima" which attracted much favorable comment, and was awarded the third prize. Father Schreuder returned from his leave in the early fall of 1954. His health was not greatly improved. During the early days of 1955 he was successful in es- tablishing The Holy Name Society in the parish and on January 30, 1955 at evening services a group of men were received into this organization with Carl A. Rels serving as the first president. Father Schreuder was jubilant over the formation of this organization. He did not live to see it thrive and grow for on February 26, 1955 he was called to his eternal rest after having served the parish twenty-one years. During this time the parish made great progress.
Rev. Charles llellrung of Waterloo was appointed hy the Bishop as Official Administrator and Father Meskenas who was assistant pastor at Waterloo was sent to take offielal residence at Columbia and to conduct all parish affairs until a successor was appointed. On Sunday, May 8, 1955 the lloly Name Society sponsored the first Moth- ers' Day Breakfast, which was well attended.
In August of 1955 Father Alphonse Schomnker was appointed as pastor. Ile promoted activity In the Holy Name Society by securing playground equipment for the
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school children; and the building across the street which was known as the "Lepp building" was wrecked and a spacious parking lot created. Father Schomaker directed much attention to the youth of the parish. Due to the increase in the number of parishioners over the past ten to fifteen years, it became a problem to properly accommo- date them all on Sundays in the two masses and during Father Schomaker's pastorate arrangements for three masses on Sunday came into being.
In August of 1956 Father Schomaker was transferred to Centralia, Illinois and Father Elmer J. Holtgrave from Prairie Du Rocher, Illinois was appointed as pastor of the Parish and is so serving at the time of this, the Centen- nial Celebration of the City of Columbia, Illinois.
Father Holtgrave is an energetic individual, a person who is cognizant of the need for planning ahead. Prior to his appointment here he was appointed by the Bishop as Defender of the Marriage Bond in the Marriage Court of the Church in the Diocese of Belleville, an office which required many hours of his time. Despite this, he has worked untiringly to meet the many problems confront- ing the parish. He was faced with various major prob- lems where the question of finances enters the picture.
The interior of the church was in need of redecora- tion and this project was completed in 1958. Expansion of playground facilities was a pressing matter. This meant the acquisition of some adjacent properties. Father Holtgrave was successful in purchasing the entire block to the west known as the Juengling property. This was secured for $30,000.00. The old rectory which was located north of the present church building was purchased for $20,000.
With this property acquired the Mayor and City Council and the parish worked out an arrangement whereby the parish might acquire the two streets running between certain sections of the parish property, that is, the streets named Washington and Market. The Mayor and City Council manifested a deep interest in this proj- ect feeling it would eliminate the present hazard to the school children. The difficulty was worked out by the city closing the two streets. The parish agreed to the widening of the existing streets that is, Metter Avenue, Liberty and Madison Streets, ten feet along the entire parish property, with some monetary payment by the parish.
An expansion drive was conducted which met with good success, the goal set being $125,000.00. At the con- clusion of the drive in the early part of 1958, $127,268.68 had been pledged which amount was increased by late contributions after the close of the drive. The school building was redecorated on the interior and other mod- ernization work done there. Additional cemetery ground has been acquired. Thorough inspection of the church building by engineers has been made and roof construc- tion strengthened. Unless something unforeseen develops the church building should last for another twenty-five years. Sidewalk reconstruction programs have taken place and plans are underway for the construction of a very modern rectory during 1959.
In April of 1957, Father Ronald Glennon was ap- pointed Assistant Pastor. He manifested much interest in the youth program in the parish and did much to develop the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in the parish. His stay was short inasmuch as in November of 1958 he was transferred to Carbondale, Illinois in charge of the Newman Center there. Father Vito Lopardo suc-
ceeded him as assistant pastor and is serving in that ca- pacity at this time.
During the early part of 1959, Father Elmer Holtgrave was appointed by His Excellency, Right Reverend Albert Zuroweste, Bishop of Belleville Diocese to the office of Presiding Judge of the Belleville Diocesan Tribunal.
Through the years various parish organizations have functioned, the history as best obtainable from the rec- ords reflects the following: Altar Society, established in 1859, and will therefore also celebrate its Centennial dur- ing this year of 1959: Sewing Society, established in 1906, and in the Centennial year of the parish in 1946, Mrs. Sybilla Van Luik was serving as president and Mrs. Ida Gruninger as treasurer; the Catholic Knights and Ladies of Illinois, St. Joseph's Branch, was organized May 31, 1884, during the time Father Maurer was the pastor. The first officers were: President Jacob Harmacek; Vice Presi- dent, Louis Vogt; Recording Secretary, John A. Pfeffer; Financial Secretary, Joseph Schuler.
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