USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Ecclesia plantanda; the story of 125 years planting--expanding--promoting the Church by Trinity English Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1846-1971 > Part 3
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The special missionary interest of the church was stimulated by a women's society organized March 2, 1921, at the suggestion of Mrs. Paul Krauss, and called the Ellen Hamilton Wagenhals Missionary So- ciety. This society gave special support to an Ara - bian Lutheran girl, Katie Ghawi, seventeen-year-old daughter of the Lutheran building superintendent of the Jerusalem Young Men's Christian Association. The society provided for her education at the Lankenau Training School in Philadelphia. She then returned to Jerusalem for Christian service.
The Sunday School "adopted" a missionary in the person of the Rev. Luther A. Gotwald. When he returned to Trinity Church on furlough, the Sunday School gave him a handsome station wagon to use in his missionary journeys in his district in Guntur, In- dia, which was presented officially by the Sunday School Superintendent, Robert Koerber, Jr., in the presence of the whole Sunday School gathered at the Wayne Street entrance of the church, June 22, 1930.
Other missionaries supported by the congre- gation were the Rev. Herbert Kleiner, who succeeded Missionary Gotwald, and two medical doctors, Dr. Earl Reber and Dr. E. A. Lape, both of whom served in the Phoebe Hospital, Monrovia, Liberia, Africa. The Charlotte B. Sites Hospital and Rest Home at Odarevu in India, the Phoebe Hospital in Liberia, Af- rica, and a fund for Christian Youth Camps in Japan, directed originally by Missionary James Scherer, also constitute a part of Trinity's far-flung foreign mis- sionary service.
It already has been noted that Trinity Church
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has contributed generously to theological education. Dr. Wagenhals was president and one of the founders of the Chicago Theological Seminary; John B. Franke, president of and member of the board of that institu- tion; as was also G. H. Heine, H. Leslie Popp, and Frederick Pfeiffer. Dr. Krauss came from that sem - inary where his father was a professor of New Testa - ment Greek for forty-four years. Members of Trinity Church endowed professorships to the seminary as follows:
The Mark Singelton Professorship
The Sophie and Abbie Pfeiffer Professorship of New Testament Exegesis
The Mr. and Mrs. John Bohn Franke Professorship of the English Bible (The Frankes also contrib- uted the Wagenhals Administration Building in the name of their daughter Lucille Franke)
Trinity Church has also contributed substan- tially to the support of the first Lutheran seminary on the Pacific Coast, the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in San Francisco, California. The Misses Mabel and Venette Sites helped to erect a chapel in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Paul H. Krauss and the Rev. Dr. Charles B. Foelsch, its first president. Other members of Trinity have also contributed to this new missionary institution.
Through the Church at large, in addition to its support of the seminary, Trinity's benevolences have included Wittenberg University, Mulberry Home, Oes- terlen Orphans' Home, and the missionary program of the Lutheran Church in America. In Fort Wayne it has been a supporter of the Associated Churches, the Lutheran Social Services, the Lutheran Hospital, and Lutheran Homes, Inc.
Early in 1968, Trinity Church entered into a joint ministry with First Presbyterian Church in pro- viding a weekday program for neighborhood children.
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Known as the West Central Neighborhood Committee, this group has now grown to include Emmanuel Lu- theran Church, First Wayne Street Methodist Church, Plymouth Congregational Church, St. John's United Church of Christ, Trinity Episcopal Church, and the Young Women's Christian Association. Together these organizations seek to spread the love and concern of the Gospel through the Craft Club program, the Tu- toring Program, the Aulton Coffee House, the West Central Information Center, the Senior Citizens Cen- ter, and the Summer Camp Program. In these ways, and in many other ways, the life and work of Trinity Church, beginning at home, has been planted to the ends of the earth.
Youth Work "No Generation Gap?"
Trinity Church over the years has numbered from two hundred to three hundred young people of high school and college age annually. From 1930 to 1970, every year confirmation classes alone have numbered from thirty-six to eighty eighth graders. They then advance into the young people's societies called Trinity Leaders, Luther League, and Young Adults, with devotional programs, social activities, spiritual retreats, and excursions to the Synod Youth Camps of the Indiana Synod. The High School Choir and Youth Choir also have been centers of spiritual and cultural education. In 1958 Pastor Frazier or- ganized the Order of St. John, a group of confirmed high school boys, now numbering sixty-two, who serve at the altar as acolytes, crucifers, and communion assistants and meet regularly for pertinent discussion and service projects. Several women today remember with pleasure their affiliation as young girls in a so- ciety called the Iota Sigma, for friendship, service
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projects, and religious study, under the leadership of Miss Mary Brimmer.
A Friday evening program begun in 1958 for seventh and eighth graders and later for eighth and ninth graders has continued as a popular community recreational program; hundreds of young people at- tend, representing almost every denomination and area in Fort Wayne.
For the past ten years the key ministries for young people have been service projects, spiritual re- treats, small group discussions, and special confer - ences. The Lutheran Church in America, the Luther - an Church -- Missouri Synod, and the American Lu- theran Church also promote a synodical basketball league in which the young men of Trinity participate. These activities were under the leadership of the youth pastors, primarily Pastor Frazier for eleven years, and now Pastor Pierson. Under this leadership the youth are an active and happy part of the Family of God.
Sons of Trinity Who Entered the Gospel Ministry
Trinity Church numbers these sons of the par - ish who have entered the ministry:
Rev. Robert A. Davis
Rev. Alan C. Doctor
Rev. Donald E. Elder
Rev. James S. Ford
Rev. Ernest E. Habig
Rev. John P. Hartzell
Rev. Raymond A. Heine
Rev. Robert H. Heine (deceased)
Rev. Charles W. Hoemig
Rev. Paul L. Keil
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Rev. Arnold O. Pierson
Rev. Christopher H. Rendleman
Rev. Toby A. Rendleman
Rev. James A. Scherer
Rev. H. Eugene Templar
Rev. Robert L. Whitenack
Rev. Richard G. Whonsetler
Rev. Robert A. Young
Two Endowment Funds, one for the education of young men for the Christian ministry, and the other to encourage able young men to consider the Christian ministry, have been established by the late William C. Moellering, and by Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Hoemig.
Staff Pastors
Over the years Trinity Church has been blessed with a fine succession of associate and assistant pas- tors, in the following order:
Rev. Walter O. Oberholtzer
Rev. Karl G. Peterson
Rev. Henry V. Kahlenberg
Rev. Robert A. Boettger
Rev. O. Garfield Beckstrand
Rev. Raymond A. Heine
Rev. L. David Miller
Rev. James A. Scherer
Rev. Gideon E. Wick
Rev. Ralph Ryberg
Each served from one to three years, approximately. In 1956 Rev. Richard G. Frazier and Rev. John E. Sjauken were called as staff pastors, followed by Rev. Robert A. Young, then by Rev. Arnold O. Pierson and Rev. J. Richard Hunt.
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"Trinity Moves Forward"
In 1962 four synods of the Lutheran Church in America voted to combine their theological seminaries on a campus adjacent to the University of Chicago. At Trinity the pipe organ needed so much repair that the builders decided it would be an economy to install a new one. In addition, the Indiana Synod needed camping facilities for its young people.
Therefore, Trinity undertook a campaign for a period of three years, 1964-1966, entitled "Trinity Moves Forward." One hundred thousand dollars was contributed for theological education, $15,000 for Christian camping, and $105, 000 for a new pipe organ. Paul W. Seitz was chairman of this successful cam - paign, assisted by Frederick J. Pfeiffer, H. Leslie Popp, C. V. Sorenson, Theodore F. Hagerman, and Carl H. Pierson. The Music Committee, planning for the new organ, was led by Willard T. Plogsterth, Don - ald H. Walker, Robert I. Benninghoff, and Paul W. Sutter. The undertaking also met with characteristic blessing, and the amounts were allocated as indicated. A great new pipe organ was built by the original build- ers, the Aeolian-Skinner Company, and was dedicated with festive services on October 16, 1966.
"To whom much hath been given . . . "
Over a period of forty years, a series of suc - cessful campaigns have been completed to provide funds for the Church, Parish House, Educational Build - ing, Chapel, and Cloister Garden. These, with their organs, stained glass windows, furniture and equip- ment, represent a total investment of approximately two million dollars. The worship centers are uplift- ing in their message; the educational equipment is the finest to be obtained; and the social parlors are at-
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tractively beautiful -- altogether a magnificent plant for the service of God. These campaigns do not in- clude the annual missionary and current expense budg - ets of the congregation. The hosts of men and women who have shared in these campaigns have indeed "fought the good fight"!
A beautiful brochure entitled, A HALLELUJAH IN STONE, enriched with fine photographs of the church, describing its architecture and equipment, was printed as a memorial gift to the congregation by Mrs. James W. Mahuren in memory of her husband. It is a most attractive record of the art, the beauty, and the ideals of Trinity Church, and a copy was dis- tributed to each of the members of the congregation.
Dr. Krauss himself is the author of two books used in the parish school program of the Lutheran Church in America: LAMP OF BURNISHED GOLD and GOODLY FELLOWSHIP. Both describe the Church, its origins, its nature, and its purposes.
"A Joyful Noise Unto the Lord"
It is probable that more religious truth is communicated by the power of music, the great hymns and great anthems of the Church, than by sermons! The melodies of the hymns and the anthems become a part of the personality of the worshipping people when many words of the preacher are forgotten. From the foundation of the world we read, "The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7), as they praised the Love. the Goodness, and the Glory of God in the universe. Here again, Trinity Church has stressed the power of song in the service of God.
In the pastorate of Dr. Wagenhals, a choir, at first located in the balcony with the pipe organ in the rear of the church, had led the music worship of the
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congregation. That group included Miss Estella Mc - Clellan (later Mrs. Ralph W. Dick), Miss Hadjie Dawson, Hugh Keegan, Miss Josephine Hohman, Miss Emma Rurode, and Miss Katherine Shuman. Willis D. Maier was organist from 1864 to 1885, and Fred- erick Foellinger was choirmaster from 1864 to 1878. During a time of extensive renovation, which included the installation of a new boiler and heating equipment, a new organ was located at the front of the church on the east of the pulpit, and the choir benches were placed adjacent thereto. For a short time a boys' choir was conducted by Fred Church.
In 1921 a mixed choir of men and women, suc - ceeding the boys' choir, was led by Harry Krimmel, who was choirmaster-organist until 1929. Four mem - bers of that mixed choir were Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Eckels and Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Schwan, who sang continuously in the senior choirs of Trinity Church for forty-five years. In the new church at Wayne and Ewing streets with its fine pipe organ, Mr. Krimmel developed not only an adult choir to occupy the forty-eight seats of the chancel choir stalls but also a youth choir. During these periods he was ably assisted by Ralph W . Doctor at the organ. When Mr. Krimmel left to become business manager of the Westminster Choir School at Princeton, New Jersey, he was succeeded by Mark Bills as choirmaster; Ralph Doctor continued as organist and as choir director until the coming of a full-time choirmaster-organist. Mr. Doctor's service in the musical ministry covered a period of twenty-four years. Mr. Bills, who, curi- ously enough in the light of his musical interest, was athletic director at North Side High School, remained as music director until 1934, when he entered the University of Michigan for advance work in education- al administration and music. He was followed by Miss Florence Lang for a short period, D. Oswald Jones,
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musical supervisor of the Fort Wayne Public Schools, and Varner Chance.
In 1942 the Music Committee called H. Eugene Casselman as full-time director of music; he served until 1944, and Ralph Doctor continued as organist. During this period additional choirs developed, not only of adults but of high school young people and of little children. The large number and size of choral groups necessitated the services of a full-time choir- master-organist. In 1946 the first such professional was called in the person of the Rev. L. David Miller. He later became dean of the Music School at Witten- berg University.
On July 6, 1952, Richard A. Carlson, a grad- uate of Indiana University Music School, who received his master's degree of Sacred Music at the Music School of Union Theological Seminary, was called to be choirmaster-organist. He has led a growing mu- sical ministry over the past eighteen years. Trinity now has an adult choir of forty-five voices, a choir of junior and senior high school girls of forty voices, and a children's choir of fifty voices. There have been additional groups of folk singers, men's and women's choirs, etc., which have given musical ex- pression to the religious inspiration of the people of the parish. The life of Trinity parish has illustrated, indeed, the spirit of Timothy Dwight's hymn:
Beyond my highest joy, I prize her heavenly ways, Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise.
For thirty years Miss Evelyn Hinton has been choir mother, in charge of robes. She is also the originator of the winsome practice of giving baptismal napkins, fair linen napkins embroidered with a gold
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cross by Mrs. Paul Bolyard, which are presented to the parents of newly baptized babies by the pastor. A special endowment for the support and promotion of the musical ministries of Trinity Church has been made by Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Neff.
Eminent Lay Leadership In the National Life of Lutheranism From Trinity Church "Pillars in the Temple of God"
John B. Franke, treasurer of the General Coun - cil, 1918-1922, member and president of the Board of Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary for many years, member of the Board of English Home Missions of the U. L.C.A.
Walter O. Menge, member of the Board of Pen- sions of the U. L.C.A. for several terms, and of the Executive Board of the U. L.C. A. for one term.
Clarence L. Schust, member of the Board of Home Missions for twelve years (maximum terms of service permitted), chairman of its Church Extension Division, and of the Executive Committee of the Board of Home Missions.
Gottlieb H. Heine, member of the Board of Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary.
H. Leslie Popp, Sr., member of the Board of Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary of the Luther - an Church in America, also member of the National Commission on Apportionment of the U. L.C.A.
C. V. Sorenson, member of National Commis- sion on Apportionment of the U.L.C. A. and the L.C. A. Foundation.
Frederick J. Pfeiffer, member of the Board of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Chicago.
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Dr. Krauss Retires
On July 23, 1963, Helen Hitchcock Krauss, wife and beloved fellow-worker with Dr. Krauss in the program of the parish and community for forty-three years, died after a long illness. In 1965, Dr. Krauss married a former high school classmate, Mary Adams Winter, of Lake Forest, Illinois, who also has entered actively in the life and love of the parish .
At the congregational meeting in May, 1967, Dr. Krauss presented a request for retirement, "to make room for younger and more energetic leadership in so great a program." The request had been previ - ously rejected five years before by the congregation. The request was now reluctantly granted, and Dr. Krauss was elected pastor emeritus.
On the occasion of Dr. Krauss' retirement as senior pastor of the congregation, the congregation as a whole set aside and dedicated the Chapel as follows:
KRAUSS MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Consecrated to the worship of Jesus Christ and by an act of the congregation dedicated on November 5, 1967, to the perpetual remembrance of Helen Hitchcock Krauss 1888-1963 and the Rev. Paul Hartzell Krauss, D.D. for 47 years, 1920-1967, the faithful and beloved pastor of Trinity Church in appreciation of their loving and able service
On November 8, 1970, commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the first service that Dr.
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Krauss presided over as pastor, a service of cele- bration was prepared under the leadership of Pastor Frazier for the church and community, marking this Golden Jubilee of Dr. Krauss as pastor and pastor emeritus. Two overflowing services were held, and the sermon was on the same theme as Dr. Krauss had used on November 7, 1920, "What is the Church, and what is it for?" This sermon was printed by the church, and a copy was sent to every member. There were newspaper headline stories, and letters of con- gratulation were received from President Nixon, Gov- ernor Whitcomb of Indiana, and Mayor Zeis of Fort Wayne; a host of greetings and congratulations was extended by members and friends in the community and across the country .
The following was printed in the November 8, 1970, BULLETIN and partially summarizes Dr. Krauss' ministry in Trinity Church:
THANK YOU, DR. KRAUSS!
Thank you! How inadequate are those words to express the heartfelt appreciation of a great body of people. Yet, we say .
THANK YOU for the investment of fifty years of your life with the congregation of Trinity Church.
THANK YOU for your pastoral heart, vital preaching, distinguished leadership, and sense of humor.
THANK YOU for the guiding hand in the direction of this magnificent Gothic church that speaks to ev- ery worshipper and passerby of the glow of glory. THANK YOU for your example through which God led eighteen sons of Trinity Church into the Gospel Ministry.
THANK YOU for a ministry that always placed the people of Trinity Church first, although you ably
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served the Chicago Lutheran Seminary, the Ex- ecutive Board of our national church and its Boards of Theological and Higher Education, the Joint Commission on Lutheran Unity that brought into being the Lutheran Church in America, and in- numerable church and community endeavors.
THANK YOU for your ministry of presence through marriages, funerals, administering the sacra- ments, and during crises.
THANK YOU for the gift to thousands of people across the years of a vivid picture of the One who is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
THANK YOU for the countless personal meanings and ministrations beyond the power of our voices and pens to express.
THANK YOU! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! AND GOD'S BLESSING TO YOU AND YOURS IN ALL THE YEARS TO COME!
Among the many Fort Wayne community en- deavors and committees served by Dr. Krauss, he helped to organize the Community Chest, the forerun- ner of the United Community Services, and the Asso- ciated Churches of Fort Wayne.
The Dean of Education in the University of Michigan once asked Dr. Krauss, at a social gather - ing in Ann Arbor, whether he knew what the two tests of a successful ministry were; then, humorously but with kindness, since he was an elder in the Presbyte- rian Church himself, the dean said they were "to fill the pews and balance the budget!" He knew and I knew that this was partly in fun. Certainly they are some test. The ultimate tests are the quality of the spirit, the kind of morals, the capacity for Christian service that is generated by the life of the church in its mem - bers and in its community.
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Rev. Richard G. Frazier
THE PASTORATE OF THE REV. RICHARD E. FRAZIER, 1967 -
The Rev. Richard G. Frazier, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and a graduate of Wittenberg Uni - versity and Hamma School of Theology, who had served successfully as staff pastor at Trinity for eleven years, primarily in the areas of youth work from June, 1956, was thereupon called as senior pastor. On Oc - tober 1, 1966, he married Miss Sally Stockwell, of Birmingham, Michigan, a graduate of the University of Michigan and a teacher in the nursing school of that university. They have two children, Anne Elizabeth and Katherine Ruth. With wisdom, diligence, and en- ergy he has given excellent leadership in effective preaching, in strong administration, in pastoral min- istries, and in personal service.
The staff was enlarged to meet the demands of a growing parish and includes the veteran Rev. John E. Sjauken; the Rev. J. Richard Hunt; and the Rev. Arnold O. Pierson; Richard A. Carlson, organist- choirmaster; Miss Judith K. Scholz, assistant organ- ist; Donald H. Walker, business administrator; Wil- liam H. Schwartz, parish visitor; and Mrs. Frank J. Antibus, director of drama.
The chief priority of the present staff is a con- tinuation of the concepts that brought Trinity Church into being under Henry Rudisill and marked its minis- try across the years, "to allow the heritage of our faith to speak to the contemporary situation and needs of people, and to provide opportunities for growth in both the heritage of faith and the contemporary is- sues." The mode has been through a variety of wor - ship, study, and mission ministries, expanded adult education and community services, team ministry concepts, and goals and needs of the parish for the 70's.
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The congregation has responded as always to the challenge of new horizons. A 125th Anniversary stewardship venture is under way for necessary major building repairs and improvements -- the buildings in some cases are now forty-five years old -- and for current support and benevolence and missionary pro- grams. During May, 1971, there will be a variety of celebration events.
The Continuing Challenge
In this troubled world of "rending veils and falling skies, " only the power of a great religious faith can help us. The saving strength in the life of a nation is its religious faith. The saving strength in the life of Fort Wayne, the "City of Churches, " is the reli- gious vision and challenge of its temples and churches.
There is an old story from the life of Michel- angelo to the effect that, just after he had finished his sculpture of David, he brought an older friend and artist to criticize this now world-famous masterpiece in stone. The friend looked in silent awe and admira - tion at this vibrant figure of life and beauty. Then, raising his right hand in salute, he gave it the ultimate praise "Now -- March!"
To Trinity Church, with its story of 125 years of service, and to all churches and temples every- where which plant the Word of God, in a world today in so sore need of that Word, comes the command: "Now -- March!" to work at the continuing task of the Lord, that His Kingdom of Peace may come, His Will be done, so that, in the words of the Old Testament Prophet,
the earth may be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea! (Hab. 2:14)
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