Brown County MN Archives History - Books .....Religious Societies 1916
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Book Title: History Of Brown County, See Below

CHAPTER XII
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

     As a rule those who made up the two colonies first settling this county had
deep religious convictions. Some were Protestants and others were of the
Catholic faith. Naturally each denomination sought to build up their own faith
in this country, and each succeeded well as this chapter will inform the reader.
While not every small church society in Brown county is noticed in this work,
those which furnished information, and all those in the towns and villages of
much importance, will be found herein.

     The Catholic and Methodist people were the first to hold services in New
Ulm and the first church buildings, too, were here erected.

     In the autumn of 1856, Father F. X. Wenninger held a mission at the house
of Anton Kaus, which was the first religious service held in the vicinity of New
Ulm or in Brown county. Mass was held by Rev. Valentine Sommereisen at the house
of Paul Hitz, in 1861, which was the only celebration before the arrival of Rev.
Alexander Berghold, who came on December 26, 1868. His first services were held
in the building attached to Carl Baptist's brewery, January 10, 1869. In his
"Memoirs" Father Berghold says that the Catholic congregation was organized at
this session. At these services there were baptized seventeen children, many of
whom were several years old. This was the beginning of what is now known as the

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY.

     Its charter members were as follow: Michael Lauterbach, A. Zieher, A. Ochs,
M. Lehrer, Q. Schaible, Frank Fellner, Paul Hitz, Joseph Hitz, Joseph Hartneck,
George and Lorenzo Schneider, Mathew Mueller, Joseph Baer, John Bobleter, Nick
Galles, Joseph Guenther, H. Rosskopf, Anton and Athanasius Henle.

     The membership of the congregation in the month of May, 1916, was about
seven hundred families.

     A brick church was completed in September, 1870, dedicated on the 11th of
that month. There had, however, been a small frame church erected prior to the
Civil War and it was burned at the time of the Indian massacre in 1862. This was
the first church in Minnesota that had a chime of bells. In the spring of 1881
large additions were commenced which, when nearly finished were damaged to a
great extent by the cyclone, causing a four-thousand-dollar loss. Immediately
afterward preparations were made for rebuilding. In 1882 the congregation
numbered twelve hundred souls.

     Of the present beautiful church edifice it may be said that it is a red
brick, stone trimmed structure, the original cost of which was fifty thousand
dollars. With its interior furnishings and improvements it represents a value of
at least ninety thousand dollars. The school house contains ten class rooms, an
assembly room and auditorium. This was built at a cost of sixty-five thousand
dollars in the year 1904. The attendance at this school is now five hundred and
fifty. The teachers are the Sisters of Christian Charity. The building is in all
ways modern in its appointments.

     The pastors of the Church of the Holy Trinity have been: Revs. Berghold,
twenty-one years; A. Plut, two years; John Schroeder, six years; B. Sandmeyer,
eleven years and the present pastor, Rev. Robert Schlinkert, since 1910.

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

     The Catholic church at Sleepy Eye, known as St. Mary's, has a history
running back to 1870 to 1875 during which period Rev. Alexander Berghold, of New
Ulm, attended to the spiritual needs of the Catholic settlers in Home township.
From time to time he held divine services in the home of Jacob Bertrand, eleven
miles northwest of New Ulm. At different times efforts were made by these
settlers to build a church edifice. With the coming of the Northwestern railroad
and the location of the station now called Sleepy Eye the project was dropped,
it being conceded that Sleepy Eye is the proper place for the church.

     Early in the spring of 1876, Father Berghold, in the old log public school
house, held a meeting to organize a parish and to build a church. At this
meeting it was decided to build a veneered-brick building. A committee was
selected of which Aloysius Schwengle was chairman, John Graff, secretary and
Mathias Hoffman, treasurer. After some difficulty Father Berghold determined
upon the site on which St. Mary's now stands. The construction of the building
was soon begun and by September of the same year the church was so far completed
that it was used for divine services. From the beginning of 1877 till June,
1878, the Revs. Nicholas Greisch, S. J., and John Tori, the former of Mankato
and the latter assistant pastor of New Ulm, had charge of the congregation.
Under Father Greisch's pastorate the church was completed. Father Tori
encouraged and directed the building of the parish rectory. Rev. Bernard
Sandmeyer was appointed as first resident pastor in June, 1878. Under his
administration the church was enlarged and a congregation was incorporated under
the laws of the state. The corporate name being given was "St. Mary's Church of
Sleepy Eye, Minnesota." The incorporators were: Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Grace, bishop
of St, Paul; Rev. Augustine Ravoux, vicar-general; Rev Bernard Sandmeyer, and
Messrs, Anton Steffen and John P. Bertrand, lay members.

     Under Father Sandmeyer's charge the parochial school was built and put in
charge of Sister Veronica, of the Franciscan Order, in October, 1883. Ninety
pupils enrolled the first year and Sister Lawrence was made assistant teacher.

     During the year 1884, E. M. Dekiere was pastor of St. Mary's. In January,
1885, Rev. John Tori was appointed pastor. While providing for the spiritual
needs of the flock, he was also intent upon improving the interior of the
church, procuring altars, etc. He labored successfully until the spring of 1890
when he was succeeded by Rev. George Pax. Father Pax was succeeded by Rev.
Aloysius Plut, December 11, 1897. On March 15, 1900, Rev. Wendelin M. Stulz was
assigned to St. Mary's. With the arrival of Father Stulz a new era began for the
parish. The church had become too small for the rapidly increasing congregation.
With great zeal and untiring energy the new pastor labored among his people and
began to build the new church, which was dedicated in 1901. This is today one of
the finest church buildings in the state. It was entirely free from debt on the
day of dedication, owing to Father Stultz's great executive ability and the
generous response of the congregation.

     In 1904 a fine and substantial rectory was build. The school Sisters who
had hitherto lived in the school building, found a home in the old parish house.
During the following years the number of children outgrew the accommodation of
the old school building. Plans were secured, and Father Stulz, who in 1912
received the title of Domestic Prelate as a recognition by church authority of
his religious zeal and success, was ready to contract for a new building, when
on February 21, 1914, death called him to his reward. Rev. John C. Wagner was
appointed administrator of the parish until July 15, of the same year, when Rev.
James Klein was permanently appointed by Archbishop Ireland.

     The planning of the new school building was so well done that the lamented
death of Father Stulz caused but little delay in its erection. In January, 1915,
it was so far completed that after the Christmas holidays school was resumed in
the new school. The building contains ten school rooms, a library, a club room
and reading room, a large auditorium with well-equipped stage and opera chairs,
moving picture and slide machine; a gymnasium, play rooms, manual training room,
etc. The school was formally dedicated and blessed for its noble mission of
education and enlightenment on May 30, 1915, by Archbishop Ireland.

     At present (May, 1916) the parish numbers about three hundred and
twenty-five families with about seventeen hundred and fifty souls; there are
three hundred and twenty children attending parochial school, including two-year
high school. Since 1901 a mission church in the town of Leavenworth, about nine
and one-half miles southwest of Sleepy Eye, was attached to the parish of St.
Mary's which necessitated an assistant pastor. The assistant pastors in
succession have been as follow:  Revs. J. Knaeffels, Francis Rant, Gustave
Plank, Alfred Kern, Joseph Fleck, Joseph Sodja, C. A. Jungwirth. At present
eight Sisters are engaged in the school work. Instruction is given free of
charge to all children who are members of St. Mary's parish. Sister Lawence is
Superioress and director of the school under general superintendence of the
pastor. In September, 1915, the old school building was converted into a
boarding house—St. Mary's Home—for school children.

ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

     St. Raphael's Catholic church at Springfield was established as a parish in
1877 by the well-known pioneer priest of Brown county—Rev. Alexander Berghold.
He attended the little mission from New Ulm. He too, built the first humble
frame church. When the Church of St. Mary's, at Sleepy Eye, received a resident
priest, St. Raphael's church mission was put in charge of the Sleepy Eye pastors
and Father Tori and B. Sandrege attended to the spiritual needs of the
Springfield Catholics in those days. Father Hare, later one of the originators
of the commonwealth of South Dakota, was the first resident pastor of St.
Raphael's church. Fathers Stultz, Boland, Rollinger, Hass, Wirth, Gemeiner were
the successive pastors. Rev. Leopold Hass built the present parsonage. Rev. A.
Wirth established the parochial school in charge of the Sisters of St. Francis,
of Rochester, Minnesota. One hundred and sixty pupils are now enrolled in this
school. Rev. H. P. Fey built the beautiful new church of Romanesque
architecture, at the cost of fifty thousand dollars. This new building is surely
an ornament to the city of Springfield. This congregation is now in charge of
the Rev. F. S. Rant, who, with his faithful congregation, are now planning to
erect a new, modern parsonage and enlarge the already over-crowded school
building in the near future.

     The subjoined list is a showing of the pioneer families who made up St.
Raphael's congregation: The families of J. J. Ray, Matthew Ryan, Michael Gamble,
Michael Lehrer, Martin Foy, Peter Thurbis, Joseph Pascher, W. Schmid, Thomas
McCormick, John Turbes, John Nachveiner, Andrew Lang, George Meisinger, Matthew
Spoo, John Roiger, Martin Wenrich, Joseph Schotzko, A. C. Ochs, J. B. Forster,
J. Eigan, J. Roth.

     St. Paul's Catholic church at Comfrey was organized in 1902, by Reverend
Smalian. There are now one hundred contributing families. The church building
cost seven thousand dollars and the parsonage four thousand five hundred
dollars. The following have served as pastors: Revs. Smalian, 1902-03; Knofele,
1903-04; Stuhel, 1904-05; Gleason, 1905-08; the present pastor, Reverend
Ziskovsky, came in 1908.

OTHER CATHOLIC CHURCHES.

     The first Catholic church in the county was erected of logs and belonged to
St. Joseph's parish. It was in Cottonwood township, and was used also for a
public school house. When the New Ulm church was completed, it was torn down.

     In Leavenworth township the Catholic people began holding services under
Father Alexander Berghold. They built a small church in 1868, which was replaced
by a structure costing two thousand dollars. This congregation in the eighties
was under Father Sandmeyer, of Sleepy Eye, and consisted of about ninety families.

     In Burnstown township the Catholic people built a fine church in the
village of Springfield, in 1879, at a cost of twenty-three dollars. Father
Bergquist held first services in 1874. This congregation in 1882 was also under
Father Sandmeyer at Sleepy Eye and had then eighty-five families.

     These churches have either gone down or have been added to other nearby
village and city churches.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.

     At Sleepy Eye the Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1890 and a
building erected in which to worship in 1892, costing about twenty-five hundred
dollars. The charter members were Alfred Berkner, Charles Cunningham, Frank
Crumlet, Willis Cunningham, L. G. Davis, George Ebilsizer, Henry Eastman and
Mary Ingraham. The membership is now fifty. Pastors who have served here to date
are these: Revs. F. E. Leazer, J. H. Anderson, B. J. Russell, C. G. Werger, R.
D. Philips, Charles J. Moore, N. L. Hotchkiss, A. W. Gillilan, Lewis B. Hart and
G.  J. Sohm.

     The Methodist Episcopal church at Springfield was organized on October 13,
1884, by Rev. M. F. Chester. The only living charter members are (May, 1916)
Matthew Wilson and wife, L. E. Potter, John F. Potter and Allen Potter. The
church has a membership of ninety, with a Sunday school of about seventy-five
pupils. The house in which worship is held each Sunday is a frame church erected
in 1884 or 1885.

     The various pastors who have served at this point are Revs. M. F. Chester,
P. D. Olin, J. B. Oakey, W. Scott, S. D. Kernerer, R. D. Phillip, C. E. Hawkins,
A. C. Petrie, J. B. Hawk, W. S. Emery, L. H. Allen, W. G. Babcock, W. M. Wooley,
W. E. Hawley, B. F. Snyder, T. P. Walter, J. W. Bostrom.

     In Eden township the Methodist Episcopal denomination was organized in 1869
with nine members, by Rev. Swift. In 1881 it had grown to sixty, when a portion
left and united with the Congregational church and the class was discontinued.

GERMAN METHODIST CHURCHES.

     The German Methodist church at New Ulm was organized on October 18, 1858,
with charter members as follow: Wilhelm Alwin, Willhelmina Alwin, Wiebke
Durbahn, Johanna Schramm, Henrietta Marquart, Dorethea Lillie, Heinrich Lillie,
August Fenske.

     The present membership of this church is two hundred and fifty. Their first
church building was a wood structure. This was burned by the Indians in 1862 and
another was erected in its place in 1866 and this building was destroyed by the
cyclone of 1881, this being a frame building, and was replaced in 1882 by a
frame building which still does good service. Among the ministers stationed here
are recalled Revs. Singenstrue, Charles Thalenhart, J. Haas, J. G. Bauer, F.
Unland, J. M. Nippold, A. Biebighauser and John C. John, with the present pastor
(1916), Christian Hohn.

     The German Methodist Episcopal church at Sleepy Eye was organized on
September 19, 1870, by Rev. John Bauer and charter members as follow: Henrietta
Bruess, Peter Bendixen, Peter Ruenitz, William Krienke, Sr., C. Salkowske,
Conrad Blettner, Henrietta Marquardt, C. Sommerfeld, N. Ruenitz, F. Rose, John
Schneider, H. Bottemiller, Charles Kissner. This church now has a membership of
one hundred and thirty-seven. Its first parsonage was erected in 1880 at a cost
of twenty-five hundred dollars. In 1882 the church building was erected at a
cost of four thousand dollars. It is a frame structure.

     The list of pastors who have served here is as follows: Revs. John Bauer,
F. Ries, C. Salkowske, J. M. Nippold, A. Dulitz, F. H. Wellemeyer, H. E. Young,
A. H. Koerner, G. Raihle, F. J. Preine. W. F. Fritze, C. L. Lehnert, J. L.
Nuelsen (present bishop), G. C. Rheinfrank, J. F. Steiner, H. G. Schmid, J. A.
Rinkel, John Schneider, G. J. Sohm.

     The Springfield German Methodist Episcopal church was organized by Rev. H.
E. Young in 1879. Among the charter members is now recalled only the members of
the H. Bendixen family. The various pastors have been in order as follows: H. E.
Young, F. J. Preine, C. A. Borchardt, G. A. Rabe, F. E. Meierbachtel, J. J.
Hoffman, J. C. Benz, J. Schneider, R. J. Simon and the present pastor, Rev. A.
Biebighaeuser.

     The present total membership is one hundred and fifteen. The Sunday school
now has seventy-six pupils and nine teachers.

     The first church building was erected in Springfield in 1885. The present
house of worship was erected in 1891. The parsonage was erected in 1891 also.
The total value of church property is now estimated at ten thousand dollars.

     In Home township the German Methodist people organized at first in
Leavenworth township in 1870, and later erected a church building. In 1874,
however, they removed to Home township to the village. In 1882 they had a
membership of about seventy-five, with Rev. G. Reihle as pastor. Later, the
church merged into others of the county.

     In Eden township early in the eighties the German Methodists had a small
log church in which they worshipped for a time.

     In Burnstown township the German Methodist denomination date their
organization from 1874, when services were held at the house of the pastor, Rev.
Gustave Gronig, who was killed by lightning in 1875.

EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.

     St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal church, of New Him, was organized in 1903,
and a church built of brick in 1905. Its cost was seven thousand dollars, and it
stands on South Broadway. The church has a congregation of thirty-five members
at this writing. It is a "mission." Bishop S. C.  Edsall visits the place and is
the present rector. A Sunday school is maintained and has a membership of about
fifty.

     At Sleepy Eye this denomination has a church at the corner of Sixth and
Walnut streets. It is known as All Souls church. It was organized and a building
erected in 1891, by Rev. S. B. Purves. Reverend Josh of Redwood Falls has
usually attended upon this parish.

UNITED BRETHREN AND ADVENTISTS.

     The first religious services held in Home township was by the United
Brethren, under Rev. O. L. Howard, in December, 1864, at the house of Current
Brothers.

     In Home township, in May, 1877, the Advent church was organized at Golden
Gate; services were held in a hall and R. B. Simmons officiated. There is no
such society there now.

LUTHERAN CHURCHES.

     The second largest church and congregation in the city of Sleepy Eye is the
St. John's German Lutheran church, founded in 1876, in the month of March, with
a small membership. It has constantly grown in power and strength until it now
owns a magnificent church, school house and parsonage worth thirty-five thousand
dollars, and all free of any debts. Rev. Christian F. Meyer was the first
pastor; he remained a year and was followed by Rev. C. Oerding, who remained
three years; Rev. Simon Deuber, now deceased, remained pastor here seventeen
years, retiring in 1897. Then came Rev. F. Zick, who in 1911 was succeeded by
the present pastor, Rev. W. C. Albrecht.

     The first trustees elected for this congregation were Dan Stage, Fred
Redetzke and Fred Kissner. The first elders were Henry Romberg, Christ
Sommerfeld and Peter Peterein.

     The present new and imposing church edifice was erected in 1901-02 and
later a fine pipe organ graced the church. For the past seventeen years this
church has maintained a good parochial school nine months each year. Here is
taught about the same course as is found in the public schools of this county.

     The church has one hundred and forty families with a voting membership of
one hundred and twenty-five. The trustees in 1916 are Henry Offerman, Edward
Krenz, William Guse, Sr., Fred Koehne and August Schroeder.

     At the village of Cobden the German Lutheran church was organized in 1914,
by charter members as follows: Louis Bloemke, August Schwartz, Richard Milke,
Otto Milke, Adolph Krebs, Fred Hazelmeyer. In 1904 a frame house of worship was
provided at a cost of about eighteen hundred dollars. The membership is now
twenty and the pastor is Rev. E. Rine, who is doing faithful work in his little
flock of devoted Christians.

     Little Cottonwood Swedish Lutheran church at Comfrey was organized about
1873 by Reverend Ekman and charter members as follow: A. P. Anderson. C. L.
Thor, G.  Wing, Carl O. Johnson, Alfred Johnson, William Johnson, Prank
Anderson, C. L. Grek, C. J. Gabrielson. The church now has a membership of two
hundred and sixty. Its pastors have thus far been: Revs. Echman, A. E. Erickson,
K. J. Erkander, Carl Kraft and Rev. Samuelson.

    A parochial school has been maintained since 1873, two months each year, the
church building accommodating the scholars. The church building was erected in
1888 at a cost of two thousand dollars; it is a frame structure.

    The Danish Lutheran church at the village of Evan was organized out in the
country in 1874 and moved to Evan in 1898. It was organized by Reverend Olsen,
with a charter membership as follows: H. J. Knudson, H. A. Clausen, Martin
Rasmussen, George Knudson, Hans Christensen, Rasmus Erickson, H. P. Thorkeldsen,
C. Carstensen, Jorgen Oleson, Andreas Hansen, Johan Andersen, L. P. Simonsen.
The congregation now has a membership of one hundred. Sleepy Eye is the only
other point in Brown county where this denomination has a congregation. A frame
church was erected in 1897 at a cost of two thousand dollars, and in 1914 a fine
modern parsonage was built at an expense of three thousand dollars. A summer
parochial school is conducted by this church for four weeks each summer.
Teachers are supplied by the Danish Seminary and the number of pupils at last
enrollment was twenty.

    The following is a list of pastors serving this congregation: Revs. Oleson,
Hansen, Madsen, Dalstrom, Borgaard, J. K. Jensen, N. P. Lauze, H. W. Bondo, H.
M. Hansen.

    St. John's Lutheran church (Scandinavian), at Springfield, was organized in
1879 and now has a membership of seventy. Its charter membership included these:
N. Nelson, Andrew Lee and Thomas Anderson. A frame church was erected in 1914
costing four thousand dollars. The pastors have included Reverends Lunde,
Fgelsted, Jacobson and the present pastor, Rev. L. G. Floren.

     The Comfrey Swedish Lutheran church was at one time quite active at
Comfrey. The German Lutheran also have a church at this point, but no pastor at
this writing.

     The following facts have been furnished by one of the older members of the
German Lutheran church at Comfrey: This society was formed in the country before
the laying out of the village of Comfrey, and in 1893. The charter members were
as follows as far as can now be determined: Christian Guhuke, Andrew Steinmetz,
Taylor Sclloak, William Rausckke, Edward Prohl, August Guhuke, Charles Krueger,
Carl Wagheher, Edward Erdman, Paul Janss.

     The ministers have been as follow: Revs. Christian W. Huer, Jacob Cornils,
Herman Drafs, Paul Elsel, Zschake, I. Buerkle, C. E. Nischurtz, Thomas Tychen.
The present membership is about twenty-six.

     One-half acre of land was donated the church by one of its charter
members-—Andrew steinmetz. In 1910, the church was removed to the village of
Comfrey; its cost was twelve hundred dollars.

     In Linden township the Norwegian Lutheran located in section 34. The first
services were held by Reverend Frederickson in 1859. The church was built in
1869 at a cost of nine hundred dollars. In the early eighties this congregation
had a membership of forty-five families, with Rev. L. C. Green, of Madelia, as
pastor.

     In Cottonwood township the first religious services were held by Doctor
Blecken, a Lutheran, at the house of Jacob Brust, or rather in his granary
building, near his residence, in 1856.

     During the history of this county there have been numerous small country
churches organized, which have with the building of railroads and the laying out
of villages and hamlets, become merged with some one of the societies .found
within these new places. Among these may be recalled the following:

     The German Lutherans began holding services in Home township about 1877.
The following year they built a church at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars.
Their first pastor was Rev. Christian Meyer, and his membership was only twenty
at first, but by 1881 had increased to forty.

     In Eden township the Lutherans built a church in 1881, at Lone Tree. The
Danish Lutherans also had a society there about that date.

     In Burnstown township the Lutherans had services led by Rev. A. H. Ketner
in 1873, and later built in the village.

     In Bashaw township the Lutherans erected a church in 1878. Rev. E. Carson
was pastor.

     In Albin township the Lutherans organized a church and erected a building
in the autumn of 1871.

     In Lake Hanska township the Norwegian Lutherans organized a church and
erected a building in the fall of 1881. At one time there was a society of forty
families at that point.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES.

     St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church at New Ulm was organized on June 30,
1865. The first officers were Jonas Landenschlager, president; Fred Boock,
secretary; Herman Kiesling, treasurer; L. Pauli, K. Fritsche, H. Steinhauser,
trustees.

     The present number of voting members of this congregation is two hundred,
while the total number enrolled in the church as members is 1,365.

     The following is a list of the pastors and assistant pastors: Revs. F.
Popp, 1866-67; A. Kenter, 1867-69; G. Reim, 1870-82; C. J. Albrecht, 1882 and is
still serving. The assistant pastors have been O. Hoyer, 1885-92; J. Schaller,
1892-1908; J. Meyer, 1908-15; E. Bliefernicht, 1915.

     A parochial school was established here in 1885, and the instructors have
been as follow: P. Luebkert, 1877-88; W. Blauert, 1888 and still serving; W.
Muesing, 1887-1914; H. Klatt, 1915 and still serving. The total number of pupils
enrolled at this date is one hundred and twenty.

     The first church building was erected in 1865; it was brick and stood on
the corner of State and Second streets, north, and was twenty-five by twenty-six
feet in size. The second church was built in 1882; was forty-six by seventy-two
feet in size; built of brick, with a steeple sixteen feet square at the base and
one hundred and twenty feet high, with a clock and three chimes of bells. This
edifice was rebuilt in 1899 at a cost of eight thousand dollars.

     The first school house was the old church building. In 1886 a separate
school building was erected, twenty by forty feet in size; this was a frame
structure. In 1900 a large brick school building was built.

     A parsonage was built in 1867, sixteen by twenty-eight feet, it was of
brick and cost six hundred dollars. In 1890 the present parsonage was
constructed from brick.

     This is a strong organization and is well cared for in a spiritual sense,
by the present faithful pastor.

     St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, at Springfield, was incorporated on
July 6, 1874. The society was formed through the efforts of Reverend Kenter,
with the following charter members: A. Engel, F. Heimer, Carl Pautzke, J. F
Wendt, Ferd. Schwarzrock, Carl Wendt, Wil. Wendt, Julius Kieper, Aug. Prechel,
Henry Dorow, Conrad Gieseke, Henry Kaehler and Aug. Sandmann. There have been
two church buildings, the first one, a frame, which was erected in 1878, having
been replaced in 1887 by a larger and better structure, also built of wood. A
parochial school has been maintained under the auspices of this church, with the
following teachers in charge: Prof. H. Kilian, 1892-93; Prof. F. C. Remmert,
1893-1903; Prof. P. Scharmann, 1903 to the present time. The pastors of this
church have been as follow: Reverends Kenter, Ording, Kittel (1878-82), D. 
Lange (1882-88), J. G. Appel (1888 1914) and William von Fischer (since 1914).

     Zion Evangelical Lutheran church at Springfield, was organized on June 13,
1897, by Rev. J. K. E. Horst, of Court]and, Minnesota. The charter members of
this society were as follow: Carl Bronkow, H. Bloemke, H. Burchardt, H. W.
Schmidt, J. F. Wendt, Edward Boettcher, Carl Tomschin, William Wendt, John
Wendt, Henry Dorow, Carl Dorow, all of whom seceded from the St. Paul's church
on account what they considered false doctrines and non-Lutheran practice. This
congregation is of the Missouri Synod. It now has a membership of two hundred.
The first church was an ordinary building of frame, which in time proved too
small. Its cost was fifteen hundred dollars. In 1913 a new and much larger,
up-to-date building was erected of brick. It is handsomely decorated, and had a
total cost of ten thousand dollars. In the basement of this new building, in
well planned rooms is kept the parochial school. Here the pastors have taught
both in English and German.

    The following is a list of the faithful pastors of this congregation: Revs.
J. K. E. Horst, pastor pro tem; William Janzow, student theological seminary;
William Roecker, Hy. Boettcher, John Hutchanson, Chr. Droegemueller, and the
present pastor, Rev. Fr. Westerkamp.

    The Danish Lutheran denomination is represented at Sleepy Eye, where the
membership own a handsome church property and hold regular services. At present
the pulpit is supplied from Evan, by Rev. H. M. Hansen, who speaks in both
English and Danish.

    Evangelical Zion Lutheran church, at Hanska, was organized in 1905, by a
number of devout Lutherans, including these: Berger Johnson, George Brandoold,
F. C. Jenson, H. V. Anderson. There is now a membership of twenty families, or
about fifty-five persons. A frame building was erected in 1904 at a cost of
three thousand dollars.

SCANDINAVIAN UNITARIAN.

    At Hanska is situated a church of the Unitarian denomination made up of
Scandinavians. It was organized in 1882 and has a membership of three hundred,
with a frame church costing over three thousand dollars, and a parsonage costing
about as much. Reverend Norman is the pastor. A parochial school is taught one
month each year.

EVANGELICAL CHURCHES.

     There are now only two Evangelical churches within Brown county. These are
at New Ulm and the one at Essig, formed by the pastor of the parent church in
the county at New Ulm. As there is sometimes a misunderstanding as to the
differences in the Evangelical and German Lutheran denominations, it is well
right here to set this right in the mind of the reader. The last of the articles
of faith written by Martin Luther—the fifteenth in number-referred to the Lord's
Supper, and over the wording of this article there arose a great difference of
opinion. Hence came the Reformed and Lutheran bodies, independent one of the
other. It was three hundred years after Martin Luther's day that Frederick
William III, of Prussia, in 1817, brought together a number of preachers of his
kingdom. Then a book of worship to he used in the churches of the kingdom was
compiled, and the name of a new church sprung into existence—the Evangelical
Church. Really a union was effected, based upon the Bible.

     Coming down to this country, it may be stated that "the German Evangelical
Synod of North America, organized in 1840 in Missouri, as a part of the
Evangelical church, defines the term 'Evangelical Church' as denoting that
branch of the Christian church which acknowledges the Holy Scriptures of the Old
and New Testament as the Word of God, the sole and infallible guide of faith and
life, and accepts the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures as given in the
symbolic books of the Lutheran and Reformed churches, the most important being:
The Augsburg Confession, Luther's and Heidelberg Catechisms, in so far as they
agree; but where they disagree the German Evangelical Synod of North America
adheres strictly to the passages of Holy Scriptures bearing on the subject, and
avails itself of the liberty of conscience prevailing in the Evangelical Church."

     The Evangelical Protestant Friends church (Church of Peace) is located at
the corner of North State and First North street, New Ulm. It was organized on
September 20, 1890, by Rev. K. Zeyher and charter members including the
following: William Wellner, Sr., A. Schilling, H. Schilling, G. Goetsch, K.
Lohmann, C. Gewecke, S. Marti, W. Radke, Gesine Crone, Maria Hess, Mrs.
Ottomeyer, Elizabeth Koch, Katherine Dhein.

     The present total membership is about one hundred families.

     The house of worship is a brick-veneered structure and it has connected
with its appointments three bells and a good pipe organ.

     During six months of each year the pastor has a school in which are taught
the church catechism and Bible.

     The following have served as pastors in this congregation: Revs. K. Zeyher,
E. Seeger, G. M. Eyrich, H. C. Dallmann and the present pastor, Rev. G. Mayer,
who came on December 14, 1905.

     The congregation of this denomination at Essig village, this county, was
organized by Rev. G. Mayer, of the above congregation, the date being December
3, 1907. It is known as "The Evangelical Friends Church at Essig." Its charter
members were as follow: H. Schroeder, A. Wagner, E. Rolloff, F. Hofschild, J.
Gereis, W. Heinmann, Hy. Knees, J. Schauer, J. Zaske and F. Roos. At present
there are about twenty families connected with the congregation. The church
building has new pews, organ and bell. Services are held every other Sunday, and
the pastor (same as at New Him) instructs the children several months of each
year. But few, if any, more devoted and faithful pastors can be found in the
county than Reverend Mayer, of these two congregations.

     The German Evangelical church at Sleepy Eye is one of the most influential
church bodies in that city. Rev. L. Reep, the present pastor, is a learned man,
and eloquent. Every department of church work is carried on, including a strong
Sunday school.

     In Cottonwood township an Evangelical Association church was organized and
a church erected in 1865. Services were held by Rev. A. Huelster as early as
1857. At the end of twenty years the membership of the congregation was forty.
Other churches finally absorbed this.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.

     The first religious services held on the present site of the town of Sleepy
Eye was by the Presbyterian denomination. Services were held by Reverend Kent
during the summer of 1S68 in the grove on Thomas Allison's farm. They organized
at Golden Gate, with nineteen members, a number of whom had been
Congregationalists. When Sleepy Eye was platted they moved to the village.

     In Eden township the Presbyterians organized in June, 1870, with fourteen
members, and the next year erected a church costing fifteen hundred dollars. By
1881 the society had ceased to exist.

     The First Presbyterian church of Evan was organized in 1896, with charter
members as follow: George Irwin, Thomas Foster, Carl Plath, George Strange,
under the pastor, Rev. C. B. Augur. The church now has a membership of
thirty-two. A frame building was erected in 1887 at a cost of one thousand
dollars. The pastors have included these: Revs. C. B. Augur, 1896-99; McKibben,
1902; Arthur A. Palmer, 1908-09; J. C. Strand, 1910-13; B.  C. Shields, 1914-16.

DANISH BAPTIST CHURCH.

     At the village of Cobden the Danish Baptist church was organized on April
13, 1890. The first trustees were Peter Nelson and Ole Anderson. Among the old
members of this society may he recalled the names of J. E. Jenson and Nels
Nelson. They have a frame house of worship, cost about twelve hundred dollars.
There are now only nine members in this church.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

     There are now four churches of this denomination in Brown county. These are
located at New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, Comfrey and Springfield.

     This church is a union organization, associated with other union churches.
It is an independent church, cooperating with other independent churches.

     In New Ulm Congregationalism had its start during the summer of 1881, when
services were conducted by Rev. George E. Albrecht, who was sent to New Ulm by
the Home Missionary Society. He established a Sunday school and worked as he
could from house to house. After he left to resume his studies in school, the
Sunday school was kept up and Mrs. C. H. Ross was its superintendent. On April
3, 1882, came Rev. Christian Mowery, who conducted services in the court house.
The attendance was small and his discouragements were many, yet he spent much of
his time that season in trying to raise funds sufficient with which to erect a
house of worship. He succeeded in getting a foundation laid that autumn, and on
December 11, 1883, a neat frame edifice was dedicated, free from debts. Fourteen
hundred dollars of the amount needed was raised by the people of New Ulm; five
hundred was granted by the Church Building Society and as much more was donated
by friends outside of New Ulm. Mrs. A. Blanchard collected funds with which a
good organ was purchased. The church was really organized during the winter of
1884-1885 by Rev. Mowery, who remained its faithful pastor until his death, in
October, 1887.

     Under a succession of brief pastorates the church displayed a spirit of
benevolence and self-denial and kept faith with the community. One thing should
be never forgotten of its benevolent spirit—in 1894 the church gave a fund of
sixty dollars, which had been raised by a patient effort for new hymn books,
toward the relief of the sufferers from the Hinckley forest fire.

     In 1892 an addition was erected to the church building at a cost of twelve
hundred dollars, and in 1901 a parsonage was purchased, together with a lot next
north from the church, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. Many needed
improvements have been made, including the furnace, cemented cellars, electric
lights, cement sidewalks, etc.

     This church commenced with eight charter members and more than two hundred
and fifty persons have been enrolled as members since that date. At this writing
the membership is about seventy-five, while the Sunday school attendance is much
larger. The present pastor—a New Englander—Rev. Edward F. Wheeler, has been the
faithful leader of this flock since July 1, 1905, and is doing a splendid work
in the community.

     The first Congregational Church of Christ, at Comfrey, was organized on
February 18, 1906, by Rev. R. P. Upton and members of the Western Association.
The charter members were as follow: Mr. and Mrs. John Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Frank
Nichols, Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Bokken. The present total membership is forty. A
church building was erected in 1906. Under Rev. W. H. Nye's pastorate the manse
was erected, and this with the edifice, is valued at six thousand dollars. Under
his administration and faithful work more than twenty-five members were added to
the church, which is now in a flourishing condition.

     The following pastors have served: Revs. R. P. Upton, 1906-09; William R.
McLane, 1910-11; O. M. Snyder, 1912-14; William Herbert Nye, 1914 to present
date—May, 1916.

     In Eden township, in 1881, the Presbyterians and those who had been
worshipping with that sect, who held to the Congregational faith, withdrew
themselves and organized a Congregational church, and purchased the Presbyterian
buildings and commenced as a church under Rev. H. S. Eldred.

     The Union Congregational church, situated at Springfield, this county, was
organized on July 14, 1876, by charter members as follow: Mrs. Alice Peach, Mrs.
Lucinda S. Scott, Mrs. Emma Tompkins, William H. Tompkins, Miss Carrie Hubbard,
Miss Helen Z. Hubbard, Alva B. Hubbard, S. P. Bentley, Mrs. Mary A. Bentley. The
church membership is now fifty -four. A neat frame church building was erected
soon after the church was established and is still doing good service. The first
pastor of this church was Rev. O. P. Champlin. The present pastor is Rev. H. N.
Hansen.

    The Union Congregational church at Sleepy Eye was organized in 1873 and now
has a membership of one hundred and fifty-nine. It is one of the oldest church
societies in the city. It commenced in a small building on the north side of the
railroad track, which in time gave way to a larger, better edifice. The present
building was erected in 1902. It is a handsome red brick structure, and has
beautiful stained-glass windows. The property—church, parsonage and grounds—are
valued today at twenty thousand dollars. This church organization has never
closed its church doors since first formed, forty-three years ago. Its Sunday
school has an attendance of about three hundred. Among the pastors serving this
church have been Revs. M. S. Hartwell, J. S. Rood, H. Hjetland, and the present
pastor, Rev. C. S. Sparkes, who came in 1911.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY MINNESOTA
ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS

L. A. FRITSCHE. M. D.
Editor

With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Old Families

VOLUME I
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana


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