CHURCH: St Martins Evangelical Lutheran Church, Benton County This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. by Leniegh Schrinar ************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legalrepresentative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWebarchivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Copyright c) Nov 2001 by Leniegh Schrinar. ********************************************************************* TIMELINE: St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church St. Clair Township, Benton Co. IA Source: 100th Anniversary Booklet St. Martin's Lutheran Church1868 - 1968 History of St. Martin's Lutheran Church St. Clair Township, Benton Co. Iowa Marengo, Iowa 1868 -1968 Prepared by the present pastor (Rev. Sonntag) with the assistance of Mrs. Donald Hacker Extracted January 2001 by: Leniegh Schrinar, 145 Mazet Road, Riverton, WY 82501 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1866; 1st Sun. Feb; STUDT, Pastor preached 4/5 families once a month 1866 after Feb; STUDT, held services in a school house 1866 Oct 7; first baptism John Frederick KUCH, son of John and Katherine Kohler Kuch Nov. 1868; formerly organized St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church St. Clair Twp, Benton Co. IA 1871 Jan 15; first marriage: Carl Possehl & Anna Hartzig 1876; 17 voting members 1 acre of land purchased from Wm. Jurgemeyer; church built 1876; building committee: John Dahnke, Frederick Karsten, Ludwig Jurgemeyer; Fred Ebert treasurer for building fund Aug 20, 1876; cornerstone laid Nov 19, 1876; services held every other Sunday Nov. 19, 1876; church dedicated; cost $1300.26; all but $150.00 paid off by the day of dedication Nov. 19, 1876; officers: Ludwig Jurgemeyer, Joachim Possehl elders; H. Heiden, F. Karsten trustees Nov. 9, 1879; 1st resident pastor, Candidate Henry Semmann ordained & installed 1880; regular congregational minutes were at annual meeting 1880; officers: Frederick Bobzien, elder; Frederick Ebert, chairman; Frederick Karsten trustee; Henry Possehl sec.; Karl Possehl custodian 1880; Day School organized with pastors serving as teachers; "school maintained for more than 1/2 of churches history" 1880; first confirmation class with name of William Dahnke March 22, 1880; resolved to build parsonage adjacent to church 16 x 20 16 feet high, 13 x 10 basement, 6 ft deep aft. March 22,1880; barn for pastor's horse provided and sidewalk laid from parsonage to church Dec. 1880; for years school term began first Monday in Dec and ended 2nd or 3rd week of May 1881; summer kitchen, 8 x 10 and 7 ft high added to parsonage 1882 July 2; Pastor Semman offered his resignation for reasons of poor health. Pastor George Bayer was called and ministered ...for almost 28 years longer than any other pastor 1883; congregation's property suffered considerable damage from a hailstorm; church building was insured against storm and the parsonage against fire and lightning 1883 March 17; first recorded burial 4 year old son of Mr. & Mrs. Carl Possehl 1884; chicken house was added to the parsonage facilities 1889; annual meeting first deficit in the general fund, and resolved that all members should be solicited in the amount of 50 cents. 1890; a 16 x 20 addition to the parsonage; an organ was regularly rented at an annual cost of $5.00. The 1890's: minutes difficult to decipher usage of German language and handwriting During this decade improvements and building repairs were made when needed and as finances permitted. .cistern dug and equipped with a pump .hitching posts were installed .outdoor restrooms constructed & boardwalks laid .pasturage was rented for the pastor's horse .communion vessels were purchased .non-members who wished to send their children to the pastor's confirmation .classes were assessed a tuition of $1.00 1896; Sunday School was first organized, but apparently it did not meet with immediate success. 1897 July; a bell was placed in the tower and dedicated 1897 Aug.; instructions regarding the use of the bell were properly formulated by the August voters and duly recorded in the minutes. 1899; parsonage & the church reshingled 1901; 25th Anniversary year of the dedication of the church; 1901; erection of a larger school building, 16 x 20 1901 Dec; 25th anniversary celebration was held the last Sunday with District President Cloeter delivering the anniversary message 1910; vacancy Pastor Gottlieb F. Schroeder 1910; Pastor Bayer's ministry came to a close 1910 May 29; call extended to Pastor K. J. Pritz of Macoun, Saskatchewan, Canada; salary $500. 28 voting members 250 souls local congregation will soon be 40 years old Day School is lacking English language Evangelical Lutheran St. Martin's Church St. Clair Township, Benton Co. IA after 1910 May 29; Pastor Pritz ministry begins :English services instituted at first once a month on 3rd Sunday .Some English instruction was added to the school curriculum. .School term was lengthened; year began 3rd week of Oct. .First Christmas Eve service held .Lights installed in church, first on approval, then permanently 1911; time-honored custom of an annual Mission Festival began with invitations sent to Luzerne, Newhall, Marengo and with a service in German and one in English. The visiting congregations were guests of St. Martin's at the Mission festival lunch, whose menu was painfully spelled out by a resolution of the voters to consist of potato salad, cold cuts, biscuits, bread, butter, jelly, and coffee A temorary, but serious illness prompted Pastor Pritz to tender his resignation; however he yielded to the plea of the congregation to reconsider. A student (Mack----not known if this was his surname or given name) from the Springfield Seminary was engaged until such a time that the pastor's health would permit him to resume his full duties 1912 Mar. 30; resolution adopted to join the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; during this year: .church rented in Watkins; services conducted every other Sunday, the two places alternating 1913; St. Martin's contributions to Missions: $274.71, pastor's salalry $700. decision was made to establish a congregational cemetery; however, in the very next meeting the purchase of land was postponed indefinitely Where were burials made? 1914; St. Martin's release 6 families to join the newly-organized church in Blairstown. :experiment was made in engaging a lady teacher for $45/month together with the Blairstown group :English services were now being held every other Sunday 1915; .telephone installed in the parsonage .extensive improvements made on all buildings at a cost of $630.77 .proposal from the Blairstown congregation that the pastor whose services the 2 congregations were sharing, should live in their parsonage, was rejected. 1915 Nov 28; Pastor Pritz was released to become first resident pastor of St. Martin's daughter congregation, Grace of Blairstown after 1915 Nov 28; 5 unsuccessful attempts at calling a new pastor 1916; Spring; Pastor C. F. Hinrichs of North Dakota arrived and installed at St. Martin as 4th resident pastor; salary $700. 1916; St. Martin's hosted the Southeast Iowa Pastor's conference: a first for the congregation 1916; first mention of autos & the problem of parking for Mission Fesitval 1916; monthly envelope system introduced 1916 Dec 24; Christmas Eve service was in English for the first time 1916 minutes vague mention of some kind of anniversary--very likely the 50th of the beginning of church services in St. Clair Township. (1866 + 50 = 1916) 1917; E. H. Kettler was Circuit delegate to the Convention of General Synod in Milwaukee 1917; The pastor was given permission to endeavor to start a mission station in Watkins. An English pulpit Bible and Agenda were purchased, and the former is still in use at the lectern today. (1968) 1917; St. Martin's joined with the other congregations of the Cedar Rapids Circuit in the observance of the 400th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, the festival taking place at Van Horne. 1917; congregation resolved to contribute to the support of a missionary at Camp Dodge, IA 1918; English was used for the first time in the voter's meeting 1918 July 7; minutes of voter's meeting recorded in English circa 1918; for awhile English was the only language used in church and school. Those having difficulty worshiping in English were given private ministrations by the pastor circa 1918; record of an offering for the Army Navy Commission circa 1918; adoption of Lutheran Hymnal 1919; water piped to the parsonage from the cistern 1919; church remodeling project undertaken at a cost of $3000. $2150 of this amount was pledged by the members present at the meeting, and a soliciting of the remaining membership brought the total raised to $3015. The church building was raised 2 feet, a basement provided to house a furnace, ceiling and walls were covered with metal sheathing, an addition was made to the rear of the building, a new altar, a new pulpit, new pews, spouting and eaves troughs, new arched windows, and new doors installed, and the tower remodeled 1919; Sunday School reintroduced 1919; Wm Wittenburg solved a problem of long standing by offering henceforth to provide free pasture for the pastor's horse 1919 Oct 9; Ladies Aid organized with a charter membership of 15. First meeting in the home of Mrs. Eldo Ebert. Adopted the name Tabitha Ladies Aid. Meetings were held in the homes of members until the church basement became a reality First Officers: President Mrs. Eldo Ebert, VP Mrs. C. F. Hinrichs, Secretary: Mrs. Henry Wittenburg, Treasurer: Mrs. William Karsten Charter Members: Mrs. Joe Dickenson Mrs. Eldo Ebert Mrs. William Hacker Mrs. John Heiden Mrs. C. F. Hinrichs Mrs. William Karsten Mrs. E. H. Kettler Mrs. Louise Possehl Mrs. Martin Possehl Mrs. Chris Rieck Mrs. Arthur Vogt Mrs. John Wiebold Mrs. Henry Wittenburg Mrs. Fred Wittenburg Mrs. William Wittenburg 1920; District Convention was invited to Benton Co. and held at Newhall; St. Martin's working together with the neighboring congregations as host. 1920; pastor was given a raise to $1000.00 1921; pastor salary $1500 & first mention of a ballot vote on such delicate matters early 1920s; St. Martin's supported a Synod-wide drive for funds for the building of the new Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and pledged to raise its full quota of $190. School was now in session from 1str Mon. in Sept to middle of June, with time out for corn husking vacations. 1922; a new school was built. The old one was sold at auction. The building contract was awarded to Larsen and Willhoyt of Norway. The total cost was $3534.44 of which $1700 was secured by means of a loan from the Church Extension Fund. 1922; church became incorporated. The articles of incorporation were signed by: E. H. EBERT, John WIEBOLD, Wm. HACKER, C. H. POSSEHL, W. F. KARSTEN, Adolph G. MILLER. :name of congregation was officially given as Evangelical Lutheran St. Martin's Congregation of St. Clair Township, Benton Co. Iowa 1922; Pastor Bayer died during the year 1923 April; Young Peoples Society organized (St. Martin's Young Peoples Society) Original members: Leona Schutterle, Eleanor Vogt, Jacob Schutterle, Fred Schutterle, Lena Wittig, Henry Schutterle, Dorothy Hacker, Irene Dickenson, Florence Schroeder, Arthur Possehl, Grace Friese 1925; annual report listed 138 communicants, 70 voters and an enrollment of 24 children in school 1925; congregation returned to having German services every other Sunday 1925; children not attending the Day School were to receive 2 years of instruction before being eligible for confirmation 1925; a teacher was called; his salary set at $80.00 month 1926 Sept 12; 50th Anniversary of the dedication of the church building; former Pastors Semann and Pritz preached, the former in the morning and the latter in the afternoon 1926; experiment to have a teacher was discontinued, and it was back to the school desk for the pastor 1927 March; Pastor Hinrichs received a call which he accepted 1927 July; 1st Sunday Pastor Robert Grote of Persia, Iowa installed; salary $1200 and upon his request it was paid in monthly rather than quarterly installments 1927; Ladies Aid photo DICKENSON, Fern, Arnold, Myrna, Mrs. Joe EBERT: Mrs. Laura ECKERT, Darlene, Mrs. Ernie, GROTE: Mrs. Robert, Mrs. Grote's mother HACKER: Mrs. Mary HARTZ: Gladys, Mrs. Preston, Mrs. Grover KARSTEN: Mrs. Meta POSSEHL: Mrs. Louise, Pearl RIGHT, Emma SCHULTZE: Ruth SCHWALBE, Mrs. Arnold a visitor VOGT: Eileen, Mrs. Albert, WITTENBURG, Mrs. Jessie 1928 July; Pastor Grote resigned for reasons of health; Pastor R. P. Young from Hartley, Iowa called 1928; Pastor Hartley had a car; congregation built a garage 1928; a few months later, the hitching posts were removed 1928; church had to purchase a new church seal since the former one could not be found 1928; church's constitution was translated into English 1929 Jan; alther League joined International Walther League 1931; budget $1382.80 for all purposes 1932; a reunion service was held for all who had been confirmed 1932 March 8; Pastor Young was released with Pastor Stoll serving as vacancy pastor, the congregation resolved to call a supply pastor, but stipulated that he must reside in the parsonage. He as to receive $50.00 a month for teaching school and conduct services occasionally to relieve the acting pastor. As it developed very quickly he was in charge of all services. 1932 Sept; Rev. William Stock came to St. Martin's; one of his first requests was to the ladies to arrange for some furniture in the parsonage. He married Miss Lillian Hacker, a member of the congregation. 1932 April 30; Student Stock was extended a regular call. 1934; budget total $863.00 for all purposes, pro-rated as follows: $120 for Synod, $600 pastor's salary, $18 for organist, $50 for anticipated repairs, $5.00 for fuel; pastor was given the customary perquisites and was given the use of the garden and parsonage plus the offering on Communion Sundays, but must furnish the wine and wafers 1935; Rev. Stock followed a call to Cherokee 1935; during the vacancy following Pastor Stock's acceptance call, a student named Kruetz son of the pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church, Lincoln Township, was engaged to conduct the services 1935 Feb. 10; call extended to Pastor E Weiss stationed at Oxford. salary $800 after 1935 Feb 10 and before March 24 1940 electricity came to the church property 1937; Christian Day School: Myrna DICKINSON ECKERT: Darlene, Donald, Doris EHLER : Eddie, George, Wilma FURLER: Ernest, Martha, Selma HACKER: Donna, Eleanor KARSTEN: Alfred, Kenneth KIMM: Max, Dean MEYERS: Bertha WITTENBURG: Edward 1939; congregation participated in the celebration of the Saxon Centennial in Cedar Rapids 1940 March 24; Pastor Weiss left 1940 May 18; Rev. Richard Gutknecht was called after 1940 May 18; congregation entered Synod's Pension Plan Saturday School was instituted new Lutheran Hymnal adopted everal families transferred their membership to Marengo and Blairstown congregations 1940 Oct 30; Willing Worker Club (later to be called Fellowship Club) organized at home of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Bruestle Original members: Mr. & Mrs. Fred Bruestel, Mr. & Mrs. Ray Hartz, Pastor Gutyknecht, Joe McMann, Mr. & Mrs. Art Possehl, Henry Schutterle, Mrs. Florence Uthoff, Mr. & Mrs. Loyel Vogt, Miss Martha Wittenburg, 1940 Dec; Pastor Gutknecht took ill necessitating the closing of the school for the balance of the year 1941 Fall; school reopened 1943 April; Pastor Gutknecht left; Pastor Theodore Rottman of Marengo served during the vacancy St. Martin's school became a thing of the past. When Pastor Rottman accepted a call away from Marengo, the congregation turned to Pastor H. C. Wolters of Luzerne who served until the end of 1949 1945; Walther League photo Eleanor Hacker Alfred Karsten, Kenneth Karsten Evelyn Kramer Andrew Miller Inez Mills Shirley Possehl Dora Schultz Vera Schultz Loyel Schutterle, Marvin Schutterle Clarence Trade Earl Trade Dorothy Utoff Bill Wittenburg Ed Wittenburg Harold Wittenburg 1947 April 1; Pastor H. C. Wolters of Luzerne served. 1948 Aug; Ladies Aid joined the Lutheran Women's Missionary League Officers: 1949 Dec 31; Pastor. H. C. Wolters was succeeded by Pastor Rothe of Van Horne and Pastor Schreiber of Newhall 1950 -1951; served by student interns: Candidate Carl Brumme 1950 -1952; Dartball Team organized under the sponsorship of the WillingWorkers/Fellowship Club 1950 Oct 20; name Willing Workers was changed to Fellowship Club Photo: John Hackers, Alfred Karstens, Lyle Kuchs, Leroy Schutterles, Kenneth Karstens, Rev & Mrs. Sonntag, Mrs. Donald Hacker 1951-1952; Pastor Gilbert Meseke; During these 2 years the school building was dismantled and the church basement renovated 1951-1952; Dartball Team won the championship of Iowa East Henry Schuttlerle, Loyel Schutterle, Pastor Gilbert Mesek, Eugen Finley, Kenneth Karsten, Theophil Meyer, Reginald Kenny, Owen Simmons, Alfred Karsten, Leo Possehl, Leroy Schutterle 1952 Feb.; Ladies Aid began holding meetings in the church basement 1952 June 23; Pastor William Schreiber of Iowa Falls became the last resident pastor of St. Martin's 1952 Sept 7; Pastor Schreiber installed 1953 Nov 15; Pastor Schreiber led congregation in celebration of 85th Anniversary with former Pastor Weiss being the festival speaker 1957 June 30; Pastor Schreiber retired 1957 Jun to Oct; Pastor Niermann of Blairstown served until he accepted a call to Iowa City 1957 Oct 6; Pastor Martin H. Sonntag of Trinity Conroy began. 1963 Feb to Nov; Pastor E. Eggold of Luzerne served during this emergency time for Pastor Sonntag 1965; Walther League became a joint-league with those of Trinity, Conroy due to low membership 1968; Pastor Sonntag still serving at time of 100th Anniversary of St. Martin's During his 11 year ministry: regular Sunday morning services Sunday School (18 children) Ladies Aid monthly meetings (membership 14) Fellowship Club monthly meetings (6 couples & their families) Saturday School Grades 5 to 8 Sept to Easter Vacation Bible School Walther League 5; joint membership with Trinity, Conroy St. Martin's has 63 souls, 37 communicants, budget $3400 for all purposes1 1968; Ladies Aid photo Mrs. Ernest Grimm (absent) Mrs. Donald Hacker Mrs. John Hacker Mrs. Kenneth Hacker Mrs. Alfred Karsten Mrs. Kenneth Karsten (absent) Mrs. William Kenny (absent) Mrs. Lyle Kuch Mrs. Inez Mills (absent) Mrs. Mary Schultz Mrs. Henry Schutterle Mrs. Leroy Schutterle Mrs. Melvin Schutterle Mrs. Martin Sonntag Mrs. William Wittenburg Sr. (absent) 1968 Sept; Sunday School Children HACKER: Lee, Raymond, Ronald, Steven KARSTEN: Arlin, Alan,David, Kay,Tammy, Timmy, Steven, Wilfred SCHUTTERLE: Lisa, Lori, Melanne, Wayne 1968; Walther League photo Debra Hacker Patricia Hacker Marcia Schutterle Paul Schutterle Rev. Sonntag Total number of records to 1968: baptisms 761 confirmations: 327 marriages 157 burials 179