USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland Heights > First English Lutheran Church, Cleveland Heights, Ohio : 1881-1951 seventieth anniversary > Part 2
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On Sunday, October 27, 1935, our congregation met in our place of worship (Parkwood Drive and Superior Avenue) for regular Sunday services scheduled at 11:00 A. M. But our pastor, Dr. Leonard, did not show up. We all thought this was very strange as he had always been very punctual. After waiting for some time, the Reverend Kohler, who was a member of the congregation, held the regular morning service. Later the place where Dr. Leonard was rooming was called and we learned that he had not been seen for several days. One of the Councilmen on a hunch called the morgue and was advised that a body answering the description was being held there and that it would be buried in the Potters field the following day. Later the body was identified as being that of Dr. Leonard. While on his way to make a pastoral call, on Friday afternoon, October 25, 1935, he suffered an attack and died before he could reveal his identity. The body was later buried in Knollwood Cemetery in a burial lot owned by Michael A. Hoffacker, a member of the congregation.
The church then called the Reverend Harold A. Sayles. He began his pastorate February 1, 1936. The congregation during Dr. Leonard's pastorate had pledged their support to a building program and under Reverend Sayle's leadership this program was accelerated. Some payments had been made by the liquidator and with this money and the payment of pledges as they came due it was decided to complete the church to the extent that the basement could be used for religious services. Building operations were again begun May 15, 1936 and several months later, the congregation was installed in its new home.
But the building was far from being completed and plans were immediately entered into to finish the same. On the 23rd of June, 1938, the church borrowed $10,000.00 from the Cleve- land Trust Company (4844-262) in conformity with the authority granted it by the Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County (475,538). With this money and many generous contributions by members of the congregation the church was able to com- plete the main sanctuary. This mortgage and an additional mort- gage in the amount of $16,000.00 was finally paid and satisfied October 3, 1944. The main auditorium was completed and dedi- cated to the Worship of God, October 23, 1938. God had finally answered our prayers and this was a sign to many of us that our penitence had been accepted by Him.
Reverend Sayles completed his pastorate March 1, 1939 to go into administrative work in a hospital and we began to search for his successor. It was extremely important that we obtain the right kind of a pastor. Notwithstanding that the church had been partly completed, the congregation was not too well established. They were discouraged and disheartened. Cliques and divisions were appearing which might rend the church into several pieces. They were heavily in debt and the future was doubtful.
After several congregational meetings, it was decided to extend a call to the Reverend Dale Clayton Recker. Our choice at that time has proven most fortunate. Reverend Recker accepted and became our pastor August 1, 1939. He is a graduate of Heidelberg College at Tiffin, Ohio, and he graduated from Hamma Divinity School, Wittenberg College, at Springfield, Ohio, in 1931. He then served as pastor in the Adamsville parish, Muskingum County Ohio, for four years. From there, he went to the Strasburg, Ohio Lutheran parish where he served for four years. This is his third charge and he has been with us more than 12 years. Only one other pastor served us longer.
Reverend Recker's pastorate has been marked by a real growth of the church along all lines. He was able to create a friendly atmosphere and get the membership to pull together. He soon became a favorite with young and old alike and made everybody feel that they were an important cog in the work of God's kingdom. Everybody liked this hard-working preacher and his kindly smile and innate sense of humor made friends everywhere.
When Reverend Recker came to us, our membership had dropped to 178; under his inspiring leadership, our membership began to grow. In 1942, it was 356; in 1945, it was 495; and in 1950, 518.
The church was not fully built when Reverend Recker came to us. The balcony and the Upper Room were boarded off. After the last mortgage was paid off, plans were made to complete the church. Inflation, however, had set in at a rapid pace and when figures were presented to the Council for approval, the cost was around $20,000.00. The church, thereupon, borrowed this amount and completed both of these units of the church
and they have proven to be valuable additions. All of this loan has been paid off except a small amount which will be paid in the near future as more than enough money has been pledged for this purpose.
It may not be amiss to pause a moment and survey our material situation. We have a beautiful stone church with base- ment, kitchen, Sunday school rooms, church auditorium with balcony, narthex and the Upper Room. In addition, we have ample parking facilities to take care of the needs of our congre- gation for a long time. To duplicate this plant at the present time would in the writer's opinion cost $350,000. We have heard much of inflation and how it has increased the price of com- modities. It is, however, difficult to compare prices with an absolute standard. We speak of a 50-cent dollar having in mind 1940 values. If we take values as of 1890, we have a 10-cent dollar today, and if we go back to the time of Christ, we are operating with a 2-mill dollar. So that comparative dollar figures do not have the significance which they would have if there were an absolute fixed standard.
The auxiliary organizations of the church have contributed much to the church's growth and success and it may not be amiss to pause for a moment and speak about them.
The oldest organization is the choir which has functioned since the beginning of the church. It has participated in the church services and has helped to beautify the worship of God by hymns and songs. For many years, the choir would have a practice night through the week in the church, first on Thurs- day evenings and later on Friday evenings. Then the choir met at the various members' homes for practice during the week. Then about twelve years ago, they began to meet on Sunday evenings for practice and a social evening. However, when the choir grew too large, this practice had to be discontinued and for the last six or seven years, they have formed the habit of one long practice for three or four hours one Sunday afternoon in each month and a short rehearsal before and after each service. Some of the choir's activities have become a tradition in our church. Who can forget the Christmas Eve candlelight service at 11:00 P. M. on December 24 of each year? Or the singing of the Palms on Palm Sunday? Or the rendition of DuBois "Seven Last Words" on Good Friday ? Or the festival of song on Easter day? Or the singing of Luther's "A Mighty Fortress is our God" on Reformation Sunday ? Or the proces- sionals and recessionals with the robed choir? All these have become so customary that we take them for granted. In addition, they in conjunction with the pastor, have held services in Brecks- ville Veterans Hospital and Wayfarer's Lodge and the Dorcas Home, have sung over the radio in Pulpit Voices and Music Master and some of their numbers have been recorded such as Lord's Prayer, Sanctus and Holy Night. The choir does not take a vacation during the summer but in season and out of season they help the church to carry its message to all who will hear. The choir has also fostered the formation of a Junior Choir of about 25 voices who assist in the church service on special occasions.
The Ladies Aid is the second oldest auxiliary organization in the church. It was founded June 8, 1884. This loyal group of women has through the years been constantly seeking ways and means of strengthening the church. They bought and installed the Good Shepherd window in the chancel, bought the church flags, a new Bulletin Board, a new floor in the kitchen, made the Junior Choir robes, placed the floodlights on the chancel window, and only recently bought a set of chimes for the organ, and they have frequently contributed large amounts to other church projects. Nor have their activities been confined solely to our church. They have sent boxes of clothing and supplies and bandages to the American Mission of Lepers, sent cookies to Crile Hospital, sent Care boxes and clothing to Germany, Christ- mas boxes to invalids, and donated money to the Cleveland Church Federation.
The report of this organization for 1950 is illuminating. In that year, they have taken care of the Church Altar regularly, made aprons and fancy work, packed baskets for the needy, bought new kitchen dishes, made 30 calls to homes, cared for sanitary supplies, covered the kitchen floor with asphalt tile, bought candles for the church service, cooked and served 6 dinners and 1 lunch, donated to the Council of Church Women, encouraged good fellowship through lunches, sponsored a picnic, birthday lists and the Secret Pal plan, also sent a box of robes and bandages to the needy, paid for certain kitchen improve- ments, made 6 quilts, expressed a box of used clothing for overseas relief, sponsored a meeting of the Lutheran Women's League in First church and carried on a certain amount of Sunshine work.
When it is remembered that the Ladies Aid has been carry- ing on this type of work for 68 years quietly, efficiently and unostentatiously, it can be seen what a tremendous influence for good it has been.
In point of time, the Sunday School or Church School as it is sometimes called is probably the third auxiliary. The attendance has varied greatly during the years. During the period from 1910 to 1925, the average attendance exceeded 125 and on occasions, reached a total of 200. Thereafter, the attendance began to shrink until the average was less than 50. During the past 10 years, the attendance has been increasing until now the average is in excess of 100. On Palm Sunday, 1951, the total attendance was 146. In the Sunday School calendar, there are 2 big days, namely, Children's Day which is generally cele- brated the 2nd Sunday in June, and Rally Day and Promotion Day which usually comes the last Sunday in September. Some of the more ambitious projects fostered were the purchase of a sound motion picture projector, a public address system, a new carpet in the primary room and the Lutheran in every member's home in the church. Nor have the school's activities been confined to church betterments. They have adopted families in Germany, sent Care boxes to 20 families in Kassel, Germany, in one year, sent Care boxes to other parts of Europe. From October, 1947, to June, 1948 they sent 15 parcels to Germany. In 1950 the Sunday School raised over $900.00, all of which was disbursed for various charities and benevolent purposes.
The Luther League was the fourth organization, it having been formed August 1, 1888. It has devoted its activities for the greater part to devotional services. During the early years of its formation, it was very active but in later years its activity has greatly diminished. Lately, however, the League has been reorganized and April 1, 1951, an Intermediate League for children between 12 and 15 years of age was formed while the Senior League comprises those 16 years of age and over.
The next organization is the Missionary Society formerly known as the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society formed in 1912 and lately named the Mable Fenner Missionary Society, October, 1946, named after Mable Reineck Fenner who was formerly a member of our church and who has for the last 25 years been engaged in home missionary work in connection with the work of the General Publication House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These ladies have been very active. At home, they have sent Christmas boxes to Warrensville Infirmary, have helped to support the Konnarock Training School in Virginia have contributed to Cleveland Council Churches and to Lutheran World Action. While abroad, they have sponsored India Lace Day, have helped to support a native Bible woman in India, have contributed to the Powdered Milk Fund, and have sent clothing to Europe, and contributed to the Lutheran Hospital in Tsingtao, China and to British Guiana. A considerable amount of money goes to support missionaries abroad through the Women's Mis- sionary Society of The United Lutheran Church.
Recently a Missionary Guild has been organized October 13, 1945 composed of women who cannot meet with the older society in the daytime. The Guild meets in the evening and has about 25 members. They have concentrated most of their efforts on Liberia although they have also sent boxes to the Virgin Islands, China, India, Japan, and other places.
The Brotherhood is an organization of men designed to help the church in various ways and it has had a varied career. It was first formed September 20, 1904. It grew rapidly and for 6 or 8 years it was very prosperous, then it gradually died down and went out of existence during World War I. It was later revived but it again became dormant during World War II. It was again revived in 1946. There were 35 members present at the first meeting in 1946 and since then, it has shown signs of a very healthy growth. Seventy-five persons attended the Brotherhood picnic of June, 1951.
Other societies and organizations have appeared from time to time within the frame work of the church. Some of these were The Young People's Society, The Altar Guild which held its first meeting September 14, 1929, and went out of existence in 1940, Men's Choral Society, Laymen's League, The Athletic Club, The Von Bora Club, the "75" Club, The Winafelo Club, The Children of the Church which began in 1932, The Triad Club, and the Girl Scout Troop.
It may also be worthy of note to say that in recent years the church has appointed a Church Banker who handles not only all of the church funds but also all the funds of the
auxiliary organizations. These funds are then disbursed upon the proper order of each organization or they remain in the bank to the credit of that organization. In this way, there is one person who handles the funds and becomes responsible for them. This system has worked out very well. Charles E. Howard has held the position of Church Banker ever since the position has been created.
Here should also be recorded our experiment with reference to securing a Deaconess to help in the work of the church. At the request of the Church Council the Mother House sent us Sister Edna Monck in October, 1948. At the end of the year she did not care to be reassigned to our church and consequently, she left us October 1, 1949.
In order that the members of the church should be more fully informed regarding the different activities of the church, the publication of the Christian Banner was begun in Septem- ber, 1945. It has proven very helpful and is in a vigorous and flourishing condition at the present time. This is the third monthly publication which has appeared in the life of the church. The first publication was the Cleveland Lutheran and had a life of about two years from about 1907 to 1909. The second was the Aggelos which existed for about fifteen years from about 1912 to 1927.
And what about the inner life of the Church during the last decade ? The usual communion services were celebrated regularly five times a year and on various special occasions. Many mem- bers have failed to commune during the year (more than 100) and one of the church's problems is to make its members com- munion conscious. To help solve the problem an early service on Communion Sunday at 8:00 or 8:30 A. M. was instituted which partially solved the problem.
In the early part of the last decade, there were as a rule four congregational meetings. In the later years these have been reduced to two-one in November or October and one in January. Every Member Visitation Sunday also called Loyalty Sunday was instituted. On this day, every member of the congregation was visited and acquainted with the needs of the church.
The church building was finally finished by the completion of the Balcony and the Upper Room at an additional cost of $19,392.30 and the same were duly dedicated. There were also various other additions to the church. A Flower Chart was installed to insure flowers on the altar every Sunday. A bulletin board was placed outside the church. An Acousticon Hearing Aid was installed for the use of those members hard of hearing. Drapes were hung in the basement (Friendship Hall). A new Magic Chef, 10-burner gas range was placed in the kitchen. Three new chairs were furnished for the pastor's study. A sound-proof door was built in the Friendship Hall. Twenty-five church hymnals were purchased. Various rooms in the church were redecorated. New dishes for 150 place settings were bought for the kitchen. A new asphalt tile floor was laid in Friendship Hall. Two new tables were bought for the Upper Room
A new hot water heater was installed. Pews were placed in the balcony. A Servel Electrolux refrigerator was put in the kitchen and the latest material addition is a changeover in the heating system converting it from coal to gas. The parking lot was also enlarged to provide for more parking space.
In addition the church sponsored many activities which helped the members to know each other better: There were Get Acquainted parties, annual Mother-Daughter banquets, and Father-Son banquets, Church picnics, Easter breakfasts and church cleaning parties and Welcome Home parties to the service men.
The church has also made sincere evangelistic efforts. Per- haps the most ambitious was its participation in a religious census early in 1948 in conjunction with all Protestant Cleve- land churches. Two hundred thousand homes were contacted and a list of 300 persons who were interested in our church was obtained but the movement soon lost its momentum and has apparently died out. Another more sustained effort to bring the teachings of the church to the people was in the form of a class which has been conducted for several years with the idea of educating people in the teachings of the Lutheran Church. The church has also joined in the World Day of Prayer, "One great hour of sharing" program on the air and it has repeatedly overpaid its quota for Lutheran World action in the past five years and has helped to put the church on the motion picture forum in at least three great pictures "And now I see", "Salt of the Earth" and "Like a Mighty Army". The early church grew be- cause of personal contacts with the Christians of that time. If this same method is followed in the present church, there is no telling what results may not be accomplished. Hence, the National Lutheran Council churches have planned a campaign to enlist 300,000 lay members in 11,000 communities in the U. S. and Canada. They will be trained and directed by 80 regional directors and 300 area directors. Success of this venture depends on the individual members of the congregations.
It is all well enough to list the many material objects accomplished but we cannot help but wonder what the spiritual accomplishments might be if they could be marshalled. There is no way of doing this. However, if we follow the rule that a Church is known by its fruit, we have a rough yardstick to measure it by. We have again and again sent cloth and used clothing to the war torn areas and poverty stricken places all over the world. At home, we have sent gifts to the Oesterlan Home for orphans, filled our quota in the Lutheran effort for Christian Education known as Chey. Many Care packages, seeds, gifts for children and money have been sent to Europe. We have also cooperated with Lutheran World Relief, promoted Lutheran World Action, assisted the Lutheran Childrens Aid Society, helped unfortunate St. James AME church when their edifice burned down with no insurance, sent Bibles to soldiers and citi- zens of other countries, donated money to rebuild the mission and hospital at Tsingtao, China, helped in the campaign to win the children of Japan for Christ, helped the Lutheran work in
India, Liberia, Alaska, British Guiana, and have assisted dis- placed persons with money and clothing, have furnished volun- teers to work at Women's Hospital, Warrensville Infirmary, Warrensville County Nursing Home, furnished rags for County workshop, clothing for Good Will Industries, gifts to State Hospital, donations and a portable organ to Bay Village mission, and cooperated in the March of Dimes Campaigns, Community Chest, World Day of Prayer and the Salvation Army Campaign. We have also assisted in the Crusade for Freedom, have given blood donations, donated money to the Good Shepherd Home in Allentown, Pennsylvania and have taken an active part in the Protestant Festival of Faith.
And now we come to a chapter of our church life dealing with the pastor's affliction. It began as an attack of flu and pleurisy in 1945. He spent some time in Grace Hospital and Memorial Hospital 'in Painesville. Further tests showed the presence of diabetes which had attacked the optic nerve and in time would produce blindness. During 1946, 1947 and 1948 his vision became progressively more impaired so that by the end of 1948, he did not have enough sight to read. He faced the fact of his affliction realistically and courageously and during this period of time he was constantly readjusting himself so that he could carry on his normal activities when he should become totally blind. He memorized the various church services and many of the epistle and gospel lessons and collects and prayers. He learned to read Braille and to operate a Braille writer. Trinity Lutheran Church in Ashland bought him a Braille Bible. The congregation also has proven very cooperative and helpful. Gospel lessons are read in unison by the congre- gation and the epistle is either spoken by the pastor from memory or read by one of the choir members. And through it all the minister has retained his sense of good humor, his inter- est in mankind, his faith in God and he has not lessened his efforts to be a real shepherd to his people. His example and his conduct have been a real inspiration not only to the members of his flock but also to the entire community.
We are slowly learning the lesson that we cannot require Reverend Recker to carry the whole load. It is our job as well as his. He has done marvels but he has reached the limits of his powers. If we are going to have a real evangelistic effort it behooves every one of us to get behind him and help him to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and Him crucified.
So now we have come to the end of this sketch. What will the next seventy years have in store for us as a church. The times are uncertain. All around us the old order is changing. All seems confusion and uncertainty. The old landmarks have either disappeared or they are being questioned. In such a con- dition of society, we must continue to uphold Christ's banner and proclaim Christianity as the only hope for a fear stricken and war torn world.
REV. C. S. KOHLER
REV. C. D. MILLER
REV. H. A. SAYLES
REV. A. L. BENZE
REV. C. E. LEONARD
REV. D. C. RECKER
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