USA > Missouri > St Charles County > New Melle > Historical document : the Peniel Methodist Church, New Melle, Missouri, 1869-1960 > Part 1
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PENIEL _METHODIST
CHURCH
New Melle, MO
1869-1960
$500
HISTORICAL DOCUMENT
THE PENIEL METHODIST CHURCH
NEW MELLE, MISSOURI 1869 -- 1960
BACKGROUND : THE GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH -- 1871 THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH - 1928 THE METHODIST CHURCH -- 1939
SUPERVISION : THE ST. LOUIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE THE JEFFERSON CITY DISTRICT THE WENTZVILLE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE
TRUSTEES : Edward Karrenbrock (Deceased) Morris Muschany, Chairman John I. Denny, Secretary William Oney
PREACHER IN CHARGE and HISTORIAN, Theodore H.Wolff DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT, M.G. Joyce BISHOP, Eugene M. Frank 150 copies printed by Mrs. Theodore H.Wolff
THE METHODIST CHURCH BUILDING, NEW MELLE, MISSOURI
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THE METHODIST PARSONAGE Sold in 193 !;
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SEP
THE OLD DAY SCHOOL BUILDING Sold in 1914
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A HISTORY OF THE METHODIST CHURCH at NEW MELLE, MISSOURI:
. : The Minister's Study; The Methodist Church; Wentzville, Missouri, Theodore H. Wolff, Preacher in Charge.
ASH WEDNESDAY -- March 2,1960.
On April 17, 1959, I wrote the following words in The Yearbook of The Wentzville Methodist Church concerning The Methodist Church at New Melle :
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"More than a decade ago services were discontinued at The New Melle Methodist Church, At the end, we understand, only a faithful few (sometimes five , " ~~ six in number ) attended the preaching services. Thereafter until 1957 no effort was made to locate the members of the church and to prepare a list of persons whose memberships would still be on the New Melle roll, However, during the past two years we have visited local families and engaged in correspondence with others; we now' report that, to the best of our knowledge, there are 19 names on the New Mello roll. They are distributed in this way -- 6 live in New Melle, 9 live on rural routes in St. Charles and adjoining counties, 1 lives in Wentzville, I lives in another state, and 2 live in other Missouri towns.
"According to The Jubilee Book of THE ST. LOUIS GERMAN CONFERENCE, The Congregation (Die Gemeinde ) in 1869 felt the need of a pastor and sent their request to die Hochschule! (Central Wesleyan College) in Warrenton. Br. W. Simon was sent and he worked from 1870 to 1872. : That was the beginning of a noble work which we are now bringing to an end; a work which has bocome a part of our fellowship at Wentzville. For Mr. Ed. S. Karrenbrock, for many, many years a faithful member at Now Melle is now faithful in attendance and support of our work at Wentzville. All the others too sustain us by their prayers and goodwill and thoughts.
"The Mothodist work at New Melle came to an end because of social and economic changes. Children from the older families moved a way and found their service to 'Christ in other communities and states. The older people finally wore not ablo to attend and gradually the work began to fall into difficulty, and finally had to be stopped when it was no longer foasible to sond a minister to servo the church.
"Since the church property at Now Mollo has been largely abandoned by the membership and no abandon ... .. action has been takon by The Annual Conference the case of the property is under our supervision. Our Quarterly Conference has approved 3 trustees for the property, namely -- Ed. S. Karrenbrock, Morris Muschany, and William M. Oney. Insurance is carried on the building."
Since writing those words, time has passed and 3 members have died --
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. namely, Ed. S. Karrenbrock, Tate Karrenbrock, and Mrs . Eliza Ritter;
The names of the remaining 16 wero transferred, according to the law. and usage of Tho Methodist Church, The Discipline, 1956 Edition, page 44, and paragraph 126, to the membership roll of The Wentzville Methodist Church at Wentzville, Missouri ..
At a Quarterly Conference session held at OfFallon, Missouri, the following resolution was approved :
QUARTERLY CONFERENCE RESOLUTION ON NEW MELLE
At the First Quarterly Conference of The Wentzville Methodist Church. held at 0'Fallon, Missouri, July 9, 1959, the following resolution was passed regarding The New Melle Methodist Church :.
"In as much as The New Melle Methodist Church has reached the place where it can no longer carry on the work nor take care of its pro- perty, therefore be it resolved that this Quarterly Conference under. which the property is held in the name of the Trustees elected by the Quarterly Conference, request the St. Louis Annual Conference at, its next session do declare-the property . abandoned, and disposed of. It' is further requested that the Annual Conference allow The Wentz- ville Methodist Church to receive the proceeds such sale as may come. from the property."
Signed : M.G. Joyce, District Superintendent President
Signed: Mary Jane Phillips, Secretary
Since that time a cemetery association has been formed and in our Bulletin of November 22, 1959, we reported the event in this way :.
CEMETERY ASSOCIATION :
"On Sunday afternoon, November 15, 1959, a group of interested persons held a meeting in the Pitman-Muschany :- Chapel at New Molle and formed THE NEW MELLE METHODIST CEMETERY ASSOCIATION, a not for profit corporation. Judge Webster Karrenbrock had drawn up the proper legal document for application to the Secre- tary of State for such an organization. The Board of Directors was. elected with the following persons named-Henry Aulbert, Dorris Schiere- baum, Irene Rickmers, Marvin Hoofnor, and Roy Borgman. This Board signed the application papers. The Board of Directors with their (legal counsel, Mr. Karrenbrock, is now proparing by-laws and will presently call anothor meeting. Any porsons interested in giving porpetual and permanent care to The Methodist Comotery at New Melle should contact this association."
(Editor's Note: Judge Wobstor Karrenbrock informed me on Tuesday, March 1, 1960, that he expected the return of the incorporation papers "any day now." The delay has been considerable. As soon as the -
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papers ære received from Jefferson City and The Board of Directors meets to elect officers, our Trustees will complete transfer of The Cometery to The Association; we shall also place into their keeping old cometory records and a sum of money ($275.00) which we now hold in custody.
We are now in the process of de-consecrating the building. for Motho- dist usage. It has been offered to our friends in The Baptist denom- ination who oxpoct to. buy it and bogin a mission in New Melle. We ex- pect: to make a final and complete statement on the disposition of the building at tho ond of this history. All the sacramentals have been removed from the building except the pulpit, the altar rail, the bell and the corner stone.
Tho pows which wore brought to Now Molle from the Howell Mothodist Church by Morris Muschany during tho TNT days have boon sold for $300 to The Emory Memorial Methodist Church at Now Haven, Missouri.
The beginnings of our Methodist work are lost in the deep shadows of the last century. On August 17, 1869, ninety-ono years ago the follow- ing document was filod for record in St. Charles, Missouri: (Note -- if there are errors in spelling and uncertainties about words, please remember that the document is vory old and in transcribing the agod words, somo orrors might have entered without intentiont ) ---- The documents woro writton in long hand, thon photostats mado of tho re- cord, thon a secretary put them into typewritton form. Wo shall do the best we can with them.
THIS IS THE RECORD : -
Book 7, pages 565 and 566.
"Know all mon by these prosents. That uer (now) John W. Welkor and Catherine Clara, his wife, of tho County of St. Charles in the State of Missouri .havo this day, for and in consideration of tho sum of One . Dollar to the said John W. Welker in hand paid by Jobst (John) H. . Geisman and John H. Hackman Trustoos of the freo Panoall Poniel -- Penuol) sp .--- church of the County of St. Charles in the State of Missouri Granted, Bargained and Sold, and by those presents do Grant, Bargain and Soll unto the said Trustees for a Grave Yard or Burying Ground, the following described tract or parcel of land situated in the County of St. Charles, in the State of Missouri: That is to say'- a certain lot of ground for the purpose of a free burying ground to all those that may wish to be buried in the same, and described as follows: beginning at a stone on the North East corner of said lot on the road loading South from New Mollo thonco South forty yards to a stone, thenco Wost sixty-fivo yards to a stone, thenco North forty yards to a stone, thence sixty-fivo yards East to the place of begin- ning, it being in a part of the North East Quarter of the North Wost Quarter of Soction thirty-five Township Forty-six, Range One East. To have and to hold the promises heroby conveyed with all the rights, privileges and appurtenancos thoroto belonging or in anywiso apportain- ing unto tho said Jobs ( John) H. Goisman and John H. Hackman, Trustoes as aforesaid-and successors forevor, I, tho said John H, Wolkor horeby covenanting to and with tho said Trustees the successors and assigns
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for --- heirs, oxocutors and administrators. To Warrant and to Defend the title to the premises hereby conveyed against the claim of every person whatsoever. In witness whereof we have here unto subscribed our names and affixed our seal this 31st day of March 1869. John H. Welker Catherine Clara Welker
"State of Missouri County of St. Charles : Be it remembered, That John W. Welker and Catherine Clara, his wife, who are personally known to the under- signed Justice of the Peace, to be the persons whose names are sub- scribed to the foregoing deed as parties thereto this day appeared before me. and acknowledged that they executed and delivered the same as their voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein con- tained. And the said Catherine Clara being by one made acquainted with the contents of said Deed, acknowledged on an examination sepa- rate from said husband, that she executed the same and relinquished her dower in the Real Estate therein mentioned freely and without compulsion or under influence of her said husband. Taken and certified the day and year first written.
Seal of the Peniel Congregation
Henry Abingdton J.P.
"One I.R. stamp of fifty cents attached and canceled in the original. The first red dash denotes the words 'of New Mello' crossed out. The word 'ground' underscored red was interlined . The second and third red dashes denote each the word 'heirs' crossed out. The lotters ' Sucer' underscored red were written on the word 'assigns'. All in the original Doed. Filed for record August 17th, 1869. Gustave Bruire, Recorder. "
Another document written a fow days later but recorded on the same date contains these words :
"Know all men by theso presents that we, Jobst ( ?- John) Sudbroke and Clara E. Sudbroke of the County of St. Charles in the State of Missouri havo this day for and in considera- tion of the sum of Six hundred Dollars to the said John ( Jobst ) ?-- Sudbrook in hand paid by John Geisman and John H. Hackman, Trusteos of the free Poniel Church at Now Mello of the county of St. Charles in the State of Missouri granted, bargainod and sold and by these presents do grant, bargain, and sell unto the said Trustees and their successors tho following described tract or parcel of land situated in the County of St. Charles, State of Missouri. That is to say: A lot of land lying in Section Twenty-seven," Township forty-six, Rango One East, it being part of the Land ontored by Charles Hauins ( ?) and sold by said Hauins (sp?) to John H. Wolkor the said lot adjoining the Town of Now Molle ) sp ?- Auvonell) -beginning at a stone at the North East corner it being tho South East corner of the lot belonging to Honry Trebe, Thonce South to tho Grave Yard lot, Thonco West to land be- longing to H. Sprengor (Sprunger sp ?? ), Thence North with said line to ST. Charles Street thonoo East with said stroot to Mill Street, the said lot contains four acres more or loss.
"To Have and to Hold the premises hereby conveyed with all the rights privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging or in any use appertain- ing to and with the sand Trustees and their successors for the use of the primitive church in Now Mollo , Their heirs and assign's forever, In the said John Sudbrock hereby covenanting to and with the said? Trustees and their heirs and assigns for -- hoir's, executors and admin; istratorsitp Warrant and Defond the title to the premises Hereby Con. veyed against the claim of every person whatsoever. In Witness Where- of we have hereunto subscribed our names and affixed our seal the Ninth day of April, 1869
J.H. Sudbrock Clara E. Sudbrock
State of Missouri County of St. Charles:
"Be it remembered, that . Jobst : { sp? ) Sudbrocken and Clara E, his wife who are personally known to the; undersigned Justice of the Peace to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing Deed as partios thereto this day appeared before mef and . acknowledged that they executed the same as their voluntary act and deed; for the use and purpose therein contained, And the said Claras E.xbeing by one made acquainted with the contents of said Deed; acknowledged on an examination, separate and apart from her said husband, that she executed the same and relinquishes her dower in the Real Estate therein mentionedy freely and without compulsion or under influence of her said husband. Taken and certified this 9th day of April, 1869.
Henry Abington Justice of the Peace
"One, I.R. stamp of one dollar attached and, canceled in theoriginal Deed. The word (Peniel' underscored red was written under some illegible word" crossed out. The word Ichurch! underscored red wasy Anterlined. All in the Original Deed Filed for Record August, 17th, 1869
Gustave. Bruire, Recorder
These transactions indicate that a congregation of people was in Now. Melle. How they came we do not know. The ' Frie Peniel Gemeinde -- does. not tell us their spiritual extraction. They must have been pious mon For the name which they laid upon themselves is derived from Jacobs experience as described in Genesis 32:33-33 --- And Jacob called the name of the place PENIEL for'I have seen God face to face and my. lifeils preserved. " -- and the sun rose upon him las' he passed over" Peniel A liberal translation would be -- THE CONGREGATION THAT HAS FREELY SEEN GOD FACE TO FACE AND LIVED, Did this interest in a burying ground grow out of a bitter need when an epidemic of cholera ravaged the country-side? We do not know.
Another phrase in this ancient and valuable document which intrigues our thought is this the primitive Church in New Melle. That word Iprimitive! in church history and liturgy is a precious word. For It describes the fellowship of believers in the early centuries after Christ walked the earth. And again we have an unanswered question -- 'Who among the New Melle believers was so filled with love for the
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church that this word was easy upon his tongue and pen ?!
We are indebted to The Reverend Oscar Kettelkamp D.D. , 409, N. CHIWay 47 Warrenton, Missouri, for the translation of the New Melle record in "the old German The Book" published either in 1903-or. 1904 . This Is the translation: "The congregation in New Melle, Missouri, Was organized in the year 1869, by a preacher of independent congregations In 1870 the members of the congregation turned to the College at Warrenton, Missouri, with a plea to send them a Methodist minister. In response to that plea Br" W. Simon was sent to them. He ministered from 1870 to 1872. He was followed by' the following Brethren all of whom served from the College in Warrenton: Fred Miller 1872-1873; Samuel Sagesser 1873-1874; John, Asling. 1874-1876; Henry 'Hankemeyer 1876-1878;J.J. Sandmeier 1878-1880; C. Steinmeyer 1880-1881; Fred Koenig 1881-1883; J.F.FrBeschle 1883-1886; William Hartel 1886-1887; H. Brinkmeyer 1887 1889; W. Schmidt 1889-1893; David Frbeschle/ 1893-1895; Henry Florethe 1895-1099 ; . C.D. Allinger 1899-1900; Karl A. Neumeyer 1900-1902; William Dahlem 1902-1903; L.W. Diederich 1903 to time of publication r. of this report (1903-190L ;. )
"At the time of this report (1903-1904 ) the following Brethren were serving as stewards : Charles Borgman, G.W. Karrenbrock; Sr., who was also local preacher, Henry Meyer and Edward Karrenbrock Trustees were Henry. Meyer, Fred Borgman, and Andrew Köhler. The congregation was maintaining a Sunday school and an Epworth League.
The question which we asked previously may be answered in this sen- tence -- and yet the patriarch is un-named. -- "The congregation in New Melle was organized by a preacher of Independent congregations in the year 1869." --- This man; whoever he was, belongs to, the many peopleof faith believe in the work of God and do it with love who
For nine years the congregation used a building which stood just Neto of the present cemetery. Early in the year 1878 the congregation pur. chased a tract of land. That transaction is described in these words
"Know All Men by These Presents that Conrad Weinrich and Anna @. Wein- rich, his wife, of the county of St. Charles in the State of Missouri "have this day for and in consideration of the sum of, One Hundred. Dollars to the said Conrad Weinrich in hand paid by The Trustees of The Methodist Church of New Melle of the county of St. Charles in the! State of Missouri granted, bargained, and sold by these presents do grant, bargain and sell unto the said Trustees of the Methodist Church of New Melle St. Charles County, Missouri, the following described tracts or parcels of land situate in the County of St. Charles in the" State of Missouri, that is to say,
"Lot No. Eighteen bounded as follows North by an alley One hundred and. Seventy three feet, East by Schutzer Street Sixty-six and a half feet. South by lotNo. Seventeen One Hundred and seventy-three feet, West by a,street running on the Lutheran Church Land Ninety-six and a half feet in the tn of New Melle, And now the above described tract of parcel of land in trust said premises shall be Kept, maintained; and
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disposed of as a place of divino worship for the use of the Min- istry and Membership of The Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America subject to discipline, usage, and ministerial . appointments of said church as from time to time authorized and de- clared by the General Conference of said Church and the Annual Con- ference in whose bounds the said premises are situated.
"To, have and to hold the promises hereby conveyed with all the rights, privileges, and appurtenances thereto belonging or in any wise apper- taining unto tho said Trustees of the Methodist Church of New Melle, Missouri, their heirs and assigns forever; the said Conrad Weinrich and wife hereby covenanting to and with the said Trustees of the Methodist Church of Now Melle, Missouri, their heirs and assignes, for the said Trustees heirs, executors and administrators, to Warrant and. Defend the title to the premises hereby conveyed against the claims of every person whatsoever.
" In witness whereof we have subscribed our names and affixed our seals; this 28th day of February, 1878.
Conrad Weinrich Anna C. Weinrich
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State of Missouri SS County of St. Charles
"Be it remembered that Conrad Weinrich and Anna' C. Weinrich, his wife, who are personally known to the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing Deed, as parties thereto, this day appeared before me ,and acknowledged that they executed and delivered the same as their voluntary act and. deed, for the uses and. pupposes therein contained, and the said Anna C. Weinrich being by me made acquainted with the contents of said Deed, acknowledged, on an examination separate and apart from her said husband, that she ex- ecuted , the same, and relinquishes her dower in the Real Estate there- in mentioned, freely, and without compulsion or undue influence of her said husband ..
"Given under my hand this 28th day of February 1878: 5
F.H. Leimbrack Justice of the Peace
Filed for Record this 14th day of November at 8 a.m. A.D. 1878
"Trustees' underscored red was written on some other word in the original." .
`In all of our research we always found a low figure for mombership. Seldom, if, ovor, did the congregation number 100 souls as full members. Generally, tho pastors in their Annual Conference roports listed membership figures in tho fiftios and sixties.
But during its days of vigor the congregation always filled tho
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building. I can recall one Sunday evening during a Thanksgiving vacation during the twenties when the house "was packed" for a service by a Gospel team from Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton.
We have seen old Christmas pictures showing how much effort and thought went into the arrangement of the tree and platform. We have found in the basement of the church the old wire holders -- with colored clay balls-which held the small candles. The use of these was a wide- spread custom among our "erman Methodist people. We used them too in my home church at Champion City. Always two alert men with long poles, snuffers, and wet cloths stood ready to quench any little flame that seemed to get out of place.
Among the old papers which we found there were two copies of recita- tions or speeches as we called them. We give them in their entirety; The first is a song:
""Ring the bells for Christmas, there is joy today For to earth a Saviour King' has' come. All who know and love Him, praise His holy name, Gentle, loving babe of Bethlehem. Chorus :
"Glory, glory, how the angels sing, Glory, glory, how the echoes ring, 'Tis a loving Saviour unto us is given, Let the joy bells ring in earth and heaven.
"Ring the bells for Christmas, loudly let them ring, 'Tis the gladdest day of all the year, 'Tis our Saviour's birthday, let the children sing, Praises to our King, who is so dear.
Ring the bells for Christmas, glad hosannas sing, 'Till the echoes fing from pole to pole. Tell the Christmas message over land and sea, ringing peace and love and joy to all. "
In the other we have these words :
Shepherds watching ofer their flocks, In a silent night, Saw a star and following Beheld a wondrous sight ...... As they' journeyed from afar Gifts of love to bring, Guided by the shining star, They found the promised king,,,,,,,, As they knelt and worshipped Him On that Christ> mas morn, -Angels sang the heavenly 'strain -- "Behold, the King is born. '"
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We also found a copy of a , completo Christmas program. The date is not given, but this is what the people enjoyed one Christmas :
"Song immediately after ringing -bell.
Song by audience. No. 189, 'Joy to the world Prayer
Scripture roading by the Pastor Song by the choir "What we can do! ' Merry Christmas! " My Wish' 'Christmas Bells" 'Merry Christmas ! "The Christmas Song'
Vincent Karrenbrock Glorine Karrenbrock Albert Kessler Herman Kessler
Corrine Schemmer
Leoma Johannabor
"An Aged Tot! Song by Sunshine Class "The Christmas Baby.1
Song by Sunday School 'On to Bethlehem! Piano Solo ¡A dear little Schemort Song, 'Christmas Lullaby' 1.
'The Precious Gift' ' Shoo or Stocking' Quartette -- 'Lot the old songs ring' ' Bells across the snow! " No Room! "What the bells say" "The Legendary Bridge'
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Esther Dieckmann .'Away in a Manger! Maynard Karrenbrock Orvillo Foltz Myrtle Kessler
Myrtlo Kessler. Lillian Holt
Johnny Kessler
Edith Mulun
Ethel Karrenbrock
Gladys Koehler Forest Cunningham
Ethel Karrenbrock Edith Mulun
Sunbeam Class
Walter Dickmann
Arnold Foltz
Luella Hackman
Senior Class
Song by Senior. Class
Offering
Closing remarks by the Pastor
Bags distributod "Good Night' -- Song, by the Sunday School Benediction."
Apparently ono family was not able to attend for three numbers were checked off -- 1A Christmas Present I would bring'-Roy Borgman
"A Christmas Song' ' Christmas!
Elda Borgman Arthur Borgman
It was always a disappointment to miss the Church Christmas program be- cause of sickness, bad roads, weather. Those of us who were raised in' similar surroundings can imagine how these children) felt.
The 'treat'was always an important part of the Christmas program, In December the congregation purchased from A. C. Hoefner, Dealer in General Merchandise the following Items for $ 10.60.
5 lbs. peanuts
$ 1.00
2 boxes cand'los
.40
30 lbs. candy
6.00
6 dz. bananas 1.20
1 basket. apples
.40
1.05
3 doz. oranges Twine 40 No. 6 paper bags
.10
.07
.18
¿ doz. oranges 1 doz. bananas This bill was paid on January 26, 1918.
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Song by Choir "The Gifted Givers'
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To examine the financial accounts left by our brethren in The Conference Journals and their statements in local records has made us realize once again how much we owe to these 'men of old. " There was no formal arrangement to any record keeping. Somehow 'the angel of the treasury' always holpod thom to strike a balance and to see that just due was always givon tho Lord's business, An auditor would never have found his way through. Records were kept on bits of paper, backs of envelopes, backs pf checkbooks, pieces of tablets.
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