Sunday was a big day out among the German Lutherans south of town. On that day they laid the corner stone of their new church building. It marked the change from the old to the new order of things. It was done with appropriate ceremony, and in an entirely satisfactory manner to all concerned. The minister from Sylvan Grove preached or delivered an address upon the occasion. It was all done in German, and of course was not well understood by their American cousins. Rev. Hahn, who has long been in charge of that congregation, led in the ceremonies, and deposited a number of church periodicals and a copy of the Lincoln Republican under the stone. The contractors, Shafer Bros., of Atchison, began work on the building today and say they will have it ready for dedication within six or seven weeks. The editor of this paper feels grateful to our German neighbors for the compliment paid him in preserving a copy of his publication in so proper and sacred a place, and in such good company as the church papers taken and read by that congregation.
Next Sunday, June 24, the new German Lutheran church south of town three miles will be dedicated. An outline of the dedicatory services is as follows:
The first services will be held at 9:30 a.m. The second services will begin at 1 p.m. followed by a sermon in English by Rev. Braenhahn of Sylvan Gorve. Except the 3 p.m. sermon all the services will be in the German language.
Great pains are being taken to offer an elaborate and superior musical program. The instrumental music will be furnished by the Sylvan Grove cornet band, and an organ, and a choir is being drilled for the occasion, to furnish vocal music.
The services will be conducted by Rev. J.M. Hahn, the local pastor, assisted by Rev. Bower of Osborne and Rev. Maher, the latter from the eastern part of Kansas.
The beautiful new church was erected at a cost of $3,000, and is one of the most attractive church edifices in the county. The interior is finished off in hard pine, and plastering and painting are completed.
The present church membership is 54, comprising some of the best citizens in the county.
The new German Lutheran church three miles south of town will be dedicated Sunday next with appropriate services and ceremonies. Rev Hahn will act as master of ceremonies, and will be assisted by Revs. Maehr and Bauer, and the pastors of the Ellsworth and Sylvan Grove societies. The Sylvan Grove society will pass through this city about 8:30 Sunday morning in procession, headed by the German band. The Ellsworth congregation will not reach the city, as it would be too far out of their road to do so. The exercises will begin in the moning with a short farewell address and services in the old building, and then the company will pass to the new, where the dedication sermon will be delivered by Rev. Maehr, now of McPherson county, but formerly the founder and organizer of the society at this point.
The St. John Lutheran congregation is joyously planning a reception, a catered dinner, special music and worship services Aug. 8 and 9 in observation of the church�s centennial anniversary. The general public is cordially invited to attend all centennial observances. �
A keepsake booklet has been prepared by a church committee in commemoration of the centennial anniversary, tracing the history of St. John Church down through the years, beginning in 1870 with mention of the Rev. C.H. Lueker of Lyons Creek stopping to preach near Lincoln, and of the services held in the Pleasant Valley School south and west of the present church soon afterward.
On Aug. 21, 1881, the congregation was formally organized and the constitution signed. The first church building, a rock structure about 23 by 44 feet, was dedicated in 1882, the charter listing First Evangelical Lutheran St. Johannes Church, the Rev. C. Robert Kaiser, Russell, the first pastor. A year later the Lutherans founded a school.
An increasing membership of new settlers made further expansion necessary, and in 1893 a church and school was planned by the congregation which had added the first parsonage just a few years before. The first frame church was constructed in 1894.
The memory booklet notes that in the period from 1889 to 1899, a time historically known as a hard years, the industrious, determined congregation built a new parsonage, a new church, a new school, a new teacherage and added the expenditure of a salary for the new teacher.
At the turn of the century, a first church bell was dedicated, a new pipe organ installed, school picnics were regularly held at Suelter�s Grove, a windmill was placed by the parsonage, the Ladies Aid and choir were organized.
In 1911 St. Paul Lutheran Congregation was organized and some members from the congregation transferred and were assisted in the building of the St. Paul church.
Lightning struck the frame edifice in 1935 and it was completely destroyed by fire. On Oct. 25, 1936, the present structure was dedicated, a new bronze bell hung in its tower.
Improvements have continued over the years, with the new $69,000 educational building dedicated in 1975, just a year after the Rev. Gerald T. Radtke was installed as pastor. The Lutherans constructed a new parsonage just this year.
The congregation is anticipating a good turnout of friends from away and from within the community as the centennial schedule opens.
Following the declaration of war on the United States last week by Germany and countries under German domination, the people of St. Johns Lutheran church through their pastor, Rev. H. Kroening, anounced this week that henceforth all services of their church will be conducted in the English language. Previously, some of the services had been conducted in German for the benefit of older members who understood the services better and enjoyed them more when conducted in the language of their youth. The church is attended principally by Americans of German descent, many of whom have near relatives who are veterans of the A.E.F. in the World War or who are now in service, many as volunteers, in the U.S. Army or Navy.