Early History of St. James Lutheran Church, Leola, McPherson Co., SD
	
	Information transcribed by Morrie Krueger, mkrueger@midco.net from 
	the booklet entitled: "Seventy-fifth Anniversary". 
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               Seventy-fifth Anniversary 
1887-1962 of the St. James Lutheran Church, Leola, South Dakota 

	St James is Oldest McPherson Congregation


	During the days of the Dakota territory, before the State of South Dakota 
was formed, pioneers of the Lutheran faith living in and around Leola gathered 
to worship together in their homes and sometimes in the school houses. When 
missionary pastors, such as Preu and Lebahn of the old Iowa Synod, happened to 
be in the territory, they conducted services and baptized children, but more 
often than not reading services had to suffice. Today, when members of our 
congregation think nothing of driving out from Aberdeen to attend morning 
services in our modern brick church in its lovely setting of shrubs and trees, 
it is difficult to picture the pastor's home --sometimes the only wood building 
for miles around - as the center of worship for sod shanty dwellers who spent 
weary hours coming on foot or in wagons -and a lucky few in buggies - drawn by 
oxen, mules, and an occasional horse.

	The courage and determination of these Lutheran pioneers and their 
counselors prepared the way for the organization of St. James Lutheran Church of 
Leola, the first Lutheran congregation to -be organized in McPherson County, 
Dakota Territory, on July 24, 1887, by Pastor Andreas Hahn, who had held his 
first service in Leola two weeks before and who became the first resident 
pastor.

	Charter members were Frederick Arndt, Philip Becker, Karl August Breitag, 
Frederick Glaseman, Karl Glaseman, Carl Granmann, Otto Hauffe, Frederick Jasmer, 
Andreas Jung, Heinrich Jung, Gottlob Pade, August Pischke, Ferdinand Pose, 
Ferdinand Potratz, Gustav Tonn, Robert Valentine, and Andreas Zapf. Although any 
further information on some of them is lacking, others have numerous descendants 
who are present members of the congregation.

	Charter member Fred Arndt, who served on the first council, his wife and 
son Fred. 

	First council members were Fred Arndt, secretary, Ferdinand Pose and 
Frederick Jasmer, elders; and Gustav Tonn, and Carl Granmann, trustees. Minutes 
of early meetings show that the first mission festival was celebrated on 
November 3, 1888, with Pastors Biernuellerand Pett as speakers.

	Charter members Fred Glaseman and Frederick Jasmer, who was one of the 
first elders.

	The conditions under which our founders and their pastors worshiped and 
labored to establish a church home are perhaps best described by the following 
freely translated excerpts from the German History of the First Dakota District 
of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Iowa.

	Charter member Fred Arndt, who served on the first council, his wife and 
son Fred. 

	Candidate Otto Pett, who was called to the mission field at Jewell, a 
community near the present Ashley, writes of his forlorn and forsaken feeling as 
he arrived in Aberdeen via train. Cheered up by seeing his old friend, Professor 
G. Fritschel, who had been on an inspection tour and had already been brought, 
in the early morning, by Pastor Hahn from Leola, Pett is happy to learn that 
Pastor Hahn will transport him as far as Leola. He describes this long-to-be-
remembered journey thus:

	"After we had enjoyed a hearty meal at a neighoring cafe, we strolled 
happily to the livery barn to re-harness the mule. Brother Hahn had not dared to 
trust his own pony for the trip of 45 miles each way in one day. Though the long 
ear had been quite foxy on the way in, we expected things to go better on the 
way back.

	"We had barely gone from the livery stable into the main street before the 
donkey suddenly jumped the traces and, but for the quick action of Pastor Hahn, 
would have had the whole thing kicked to splinters. We had scarcely advanced 
half a block after this intermezzo before the same story was repeated. What 
advice from our audience, what teasing and taunting we had to endure! Nothing 
remained but that one of us take the miserable creature by the head and lead him 
while the other assisted with the whip from the wagon.

Philip Becker, charter member.

	"How happy  we were as we finally got out of town, hoping that, now that 
vie were on open prairie, things would be better! But, ah me the mule seemed 
bewitched into turning back continually; again we had no recourse but to take 
turns leading the beast. Knowing that we couldn't hold out for 45 miles of 
walking, we finally hit upon the solution of taking turns at riding the animal. 
Said, done-and it worked-all the weary 45 miles home! It was near midnight when 
we finally arrived in Leola and could lay our martyred limbs to rest."

	As the membership list grew, worship in the homes no longer sufficed, and 
it became apparent to the fledgling congregation that a house of worship would 
have to be provided. The first church, which had a steeple and was painted 
white, was located southeast of the 1902 church. The 14 X 34 foot structure, 
with a three-room lean which served as the parsonage, was dedicated on June 10, 
1888, with Pastor Hahn conducting the dedication service. The land on which it 
stood was sold in 1918.

Charter members, Mr.,and Mrs. Gottlob Pade.

	The following information on this first church and its pastor was gleaned 
from the German History of the synod quoted previously. Before St. James was 
organized as the St. Jakobus Gemeinde, Pastors  Hahn, Gronlund of Jewell, and 
Geizendorfer were missionaries in this area. Gronlund soon left Jewell and the 
Eureka post was vacated, leaving three large mission fields which could be 
attended during the summer, but whose far-flung members were hard to find in the 
winter. Luckily, A. Zimmerman was sent to take over Eureka and Pett soon came to 
Jewell. Thus Pastor Hahn's first parish was Leola plus a number of other places 
where he preached.

	Mr. and Mrs. Karl Breitag, charter members, with their children, Otto H.  
Martha, and Minnie, now Mrs. Christ Glaser. Otto and Minnie are still members of 
the church.

	Leola worshipers were allowed to use the school for afternoon services, 
but it was spoken for earlier by an English church for morning services. It 
became known that a former saloon was available cheaply for the price of the 
mortgage against it. "One did not consider long, but one thought of the words of 
the apostle, that all things are made holy through God's Word and prayer". 
Becoming interested in the purchase, business men collected a surprisingly large 
amount for the building fund and, sooner than anyone had imagined possible, and 
a former place for drinking and carousing had become a house of prayer". Moved 
to the east end of town to several acres already given to the congregation 
"three rooms were added for a parsonage, and all was now ready to receive the 
pastor's young wife." Minutes disclose that the congregation was quite proud of 
this building and especially of some of the furnishings. The Kirchenblatt of 
June 10, 1888, states that "St. Jakobus-Gemeinde's new church inside is 
furnished with an altar, a pulpit, and new chairs from Chicago." The first 
visiting pastor to fill the pulpit of this church without equal' was that great 
friend of missions, the blessed Dr. G. Fritschel."

	Charter members, the Karl Glasemanns, and grandson Richard Valentine.

	In his great joy at having a church, according to the History, Pastor Hahn 
invited the conference to hold its meeting there in October. This meeting 
remained forever in the memories of the participants as the 'Kater-Konferenz'." 
("Kater" is a German word literally meaning tomcat and is a name often applied 
to one who, shall we say, does not use the night properly and suffers the 
consequences.) How the conference got this strange name is told by Pastor F. 
Preu: "Even if it wasn't exactly a May breeze that blew on the evening of 
October 17, 1888, there was a rather large turnout of congregation members for 
our services, some of whom were to take conference members home with them. But 
during services the wind began to whistle a merry melody to accompany the dance 
of the fastfalling snow. The consternation with which the dear brothers viewed 
the prospect of climbing into cold wagons for wintry rides into the country 
dissolved as someone suggested, and all unanimously agreed, to stay exactly 
where they were, to enjoy the brotherly fellowship they so seldom could share. 
Therefore, if those who were to have been their hosts would not be offended, and 
if the local pastor agreed, they would, in true western fashion, set up their 
camps in the church. No, nobody objected.

	"So the dear brothers, after again asking permission, wended their way to 
the haystack beside the barn, and soon each one plodded back with a huge armload 
of fragrant prairie hay. The chairs were shoved into the center of the church, 
and hay was spread for bedding along one wall. Since all had come by buggy, the 
buffalo robes served as mattresses, and the fur robes had to do as blankets. All 
this activity was carried on in true fellowship, and it was long after midnight 
before conversation ceased and a solid 'church-sleep' - but notice, a sanctioned 
one -followed.

	"Sad to say, the little church had thus far had to retain the glass front 
it had featured as a business establishment, even though several panes had been 
broken in the moving process, so that the wind whistled unhindered around the 
heads of the sleepers. Though the wind did not wake them, its after-effects 
became apparent the next day when the whole conference was afflicted with a 
mighty 'catarrhus' siege of sneezing, coughing, and noseblowing. What with the 
watery eyes and swollen features, no wonder, then, 'that the strange name of 
'Kater - Konferenz' lived on."

	On April 2, 1889, this church and parsonage were destroyed in the great 
prairie fire which roared through and destroyed nearly all of the town of Leola 
and was not stopped until it reached Aberdeen. In the History Pastor Hahn 
described it thus: "We had previously viewed prairie fires without wind in the 
dark of the night in the distance as an awesome spectacle, but we did not dream 
that it could become so terrible. While my dear wife was busy sewing in another 
room, I was conducting my confirmation class. All day long an unusually wild 
storm had roared and swirled the dust in clouds, but where the dark masses 
rushing by our windows and suddenly turning day into night came from, we could 
not imagine.

	"The terror that engulfed us as we opened the door and saw the flames 
roaring toward us in the black smoke cannot be described. For a second we stood, 
unable to move or speak, before we fled to a tract of freshly plowed land 
nearby, there to throw ourselves on the ground and press our noses and mouths 
into the earth until the searing heat waves had passed over us.

	Copy of Pastor Hahn's appeal.

	"But what a sight met our eyes as we finally dared to rise again! All 
about was black as coal as, through the ash-laden air, we saw most of the 
buildings in town, including our church and home, in flames. On the evening of 
this terrible day we stared, with our fellow -sufferers, at the pile of ashes 
and rubble that had been Leola. We had lost everything except the clothes we 
wore; even our mission pony lay, a charred mass, in the ruins.

	"Hundreds of carcasses of cattle and horses dotted the black prairie. Some 
members of our congregation had lost everything, for the holocaust had not even 
spared buildings surrounded by 40 acres of plowed land, and two human lives had 
been sacrificed. The sight of a man who had burned with his span of oxen where 
he had been plowing was appalling. His head resembled a roast ready to be taken 
from the oven, and not until twentyfour hours later was the poor man released 
from his terrible agony by death. Only through the sacrifices of our 
congregation and the assistance brought through the April 2, 1889, Kirchenblatt 
were we able to rebuild, but the day of terror we shall never forget." Members 
of the confirmation class who fled the fire with the Hahns were Louisa Augusta 
Pose, Maria Pade, Emelia Jasmer, Alvina Milbrandt, and Marie Jung.

	Emelia Jasmer, who became Mrs. Julius Hoeft, was the mother of August 
Hoeft and Ella Krein, present members of St. James. Alvina Milbrandt Bussian of 
Westport is pictured as she appears today.

	Immediately making plans to build another parsonage, the congregation 
hired Simon Fruhs as carpenter at $2. 50 per day. A barn was also built. John 
Rappe was paid $1.00 per day for painting the house. A gift of $100 donated by a 
local railroad is acknowledged in old records, which also mention a collection 
held in a church at Council Bluffs, Iowa, which money was distributed to members 
who had suffered losses in the fire.

	Since everything necessary for serving the Lord's supper to his 
confirmands had been burned, Pastor Hahn had to undertake a journey to Jewell to 
borrow the essentials from Pett. As usual, he had trouble with the animal, this 
time a horse that refused to move unless led, and had to endure the hilarity of 
Pastor Pett over his animal misadventures as that old friend brought him back to 
Leola.

	Pastor Hahn also describes a winter funeral twenty miles from Leola. 
Although the slate-gray sky foreboded a real blizzard, he set out, stopping five 
miles out "at the edge of the wilderness" at a shack occupied by a giant elderly 
Norwegian. "I sought his advice concerning the weather, but he was no wiser than 
1. 'You are welcome here; wait here with me, for it will soon be either better 
or worse!' I thought, 'In God's name, forward, for I'm not traveling for 
pleasure. . . .'"

	He had gone only a few miles when the raging blizzard struck, making 
breathing difficult. God had heard his prayers, for the horse, given his head, 
took Hahn to his destination where he "was needed but, in this weather, not 
expected. The people were in no hurry to hold the funeral, even though the 
burial was to be in the garden, since there was not yet a cemetery in the area. 
But I had to insist, for I had to leave early the next morning to be home in 
time to hold Lenten services. "

	In 1890 Pastor Hahn received a call to Illinois. After he left, the church 
was served from Jewell until Pastor Martin Reischauer moved from Jewell to Leola 
in 1890.

	Pastor Reischauer, who organized the Hope and Salem congregations, was 
followed in 1894 by Pastor Nikolaus Brun, who served the three congregations of 
the parish. Salary stipulated in his call was $350 per year. Dues were set at 
$4.00 per year per member.

	Following Brun, Pastor Adam Haag came to Leola in the spring of 1897 and 
remained until 1904. The congregation, which had been worshiping in the 
schoolhouse and at times in the Reformed Church and the courthouse, appointed a 
building committee composed of Michael Krause, F. Arndt and Heinrich Valentine. 
Under a contract let to Charles Lebald of Aberdeen, a 28 X 40 building was 
constructed on a new location at the east edge of town on a tract of land 
donated by F. Arndt. Otto Breitag, oldest present member confirmed in St. James, 
tells how his father, Karl Breitag, helped haul lumber from the nearest railroad 
at Westport with one ox and one horse as a team. Otto also recalls that he 
himself mixed mortar for the church foundation.

Otto Breitag

	That the building of this church was no small feat is also testified to by 
the minutes of the meetings which reveal that part of the pastor's salary  was 
50 pounds of flour and a sack of potatoes from each member each year, indicating 
that money was scarce and real cooperation was needed toconstruct the church.

	The cornerstone, holding a list of members, names of the council, a copy 
of the Kirchenblatt, a dime and two pennies, and Sunday school tickets, was laid 
July 20, 1902. The church was formally dedicated on Tuesday, October 14, 1902, 
since the guest speaker could not come on Sunday because of a death in his 
parish. Pastor Reinhardt of Eureka was the main speaker. Afternoon speakers were 
Pastors Brunsch, Harf, and Ottersberg. On the day of the dedication, the Central 
Dakota Conference opened its meeting in Leola, recalling for many present the 
"Kater" conference in another new Leola church.

	This church served the congregation until the present one was dedicated in 
1951. Improvements added from time to time included the bell, which was 
dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, 1908, and is said to have been paid for by 
donations by one or more of the founders, including Otto Hauffe, Sr. This bell, 
into which is cast the congregation's name and the date of casting, hangs in our 
present belfry, still chiming its message of faith, hope, and love across the 
prairies. A basement and furnace were added in 1910, and the church was 
renovated. In 1925, additions to the church were made on each side of the tower, 
and later a balcony was added. This building is presently being used as a church 
by the Leola Evangelical United Brethren.

	St. James Lutheran Church for 49 years.

	Pastor Frank Walther served in 1905, and in 1906 the pulpit was filled by 
supply pastors such as Carl Knoll of Aberdeen. In August, 1906, Reverend Curt 
Taubert came to serve the congregation, staying until 1910, when he left to 
assume the directorship of the Eureka Lutheran College. Walter Hoeft, a 
confirmand of Taubert's time, recalls how the youngsters-and some not so young-
slipped out of the church on Christmas Day, 1906, to see the first train come 
into Leola, and the pastor, being most discerning, abruptly closed services so 
all could be free to view the miracle.

	A school house was built in 1908, and the first Ladies Aid was organized 
in 1909. From 19 10 to 1912, Pastor Johannes Otto Staehling served the 
congregation, after which Taubert returned from 1912 to 1919. In 1913 the old 
parsonage was sold to Mr. Sigler for $350, and his residence, purchased for 
$2600, served as the parsonage, with numerous additions and improvements, until 
1958, when it was sold and moved to the southwest section of town, and a new 
parsonage was built an the same location.

	Sunday, April 18, 1915, marked the first services in the English language, 
held in an effort to serve Norwegian Lutherans in Leola. English Sunday school 
was also started the same year. In 1917, after the entry of the United States 
into World War 1, the South Dakota State Council of Defense forbade the holding 
of any public meetings, including church services, in the German language. 
Despite this hardship, Sunday school attendance doubled; that is, twice as many 
children attended English Sunday school as had previously attended the German 
instruction. Withdrawal of the ban on German brought much dissension and unrest, 
since some members wished to retain English services and others wanted only 
German. The annual meeting on January 1, 1919, voted to hold all services in 
German and also to have Sunday school only in the German language. A few weeks 
later the congregation rescinded its earlier action and agreed to have English 
and German services on alternate Sundays. Sunday school was held in the same 
language as the services of the day. Some members of the congregation, unhappy 
with the language arrangements, withdrew to form the present St. Paul Lutheran 
Church of Leola.

	Arriving in Leola at Christmas time in 1919, Reverend William Reinecke 
came to serve the congregation until 1941. Many improvements were made in the 
parsonage and a furnace was put under the church during Pastor Reinecke's 
tenure. For the celebration of the 30th and 40th anniversaries of congregation, 
Pastor Andreas Hahn was able to be present and deliver the festival sermons. At 
the celebration of the 40th anniversary, four charter members Ferdinand Potratz, 
Fred Glasemann, Karl Breitag, and Otto Hauffe, Sr., were on hand to rejoice with 
the congregation over the many blessings bestowed on St. James through the 
years. At the 1937 Golden Jubilee of the congregation, only one of three 
surviving charter members, Karl Breitag, could be present. Pastor Hahn had died 
the year before.

	1932 confirmands beside church school.

	Chancel of old St. James church is background for first confirmands 
photographed there. Steps at right lead to pulpit.

	Reverend Herman Haase came in January, 1942, from Hosmer, to serve the 
parish. In 1943 a building fund for a new and larger church was started, and in 
1946 the site for it, closer to the center of town and across the street from 
the parsonage, was acquired. A new Wurlitzer electric organ, purchased in 1948, 
was traded in in 1955 on the new concert type Hammond organ which lends musical 
inspiration and beauty to present-day services.

	Church building and finance committees and church council.

	The spring of 1950 saw the beginning of construction of the new house of 
worship, with ground being broken on June 27. Under the guidance of the building 
committee and the church council, most members of the congregation helped in 
many ways, from cash donations to assisting with the actual building through the 
laying of the floor tile and polishing of the pews. Building committee members 
were John Kulm, chairman; Jacob J. Becker, secretary; C. C. Hilgemann, 
treasurer; Pastor Haase, adviser; and members Jacob Maier, Jr., Gottlieb C. 
Wolff, Milbert Adam, Carl H. Wahl, Walter Glasemann, and Edward Fauth. Emil K. 
Hoffman, Emanuel Schaible, and Herbert Weisz were the finance committee. Church 
council members were C. C. Glaser; Jacob Maier, Jr., secretary, C. C. Hilgemann, 
treasurer; Gottlieb C. Wolff, Edward Fauth, and Milbert Adam. Leo Schoenrock and 
Son of Garretson, South Dakota, were contractors, with the son, Keith 
Schoenrock, personally supervising the building. Cornerstone laying ceremonies 
were held on November 5, 1950. Dedication services on September 23, 1951, had 
Dr. John Hiltner of Wartburg College and Rev. Peter C. Hinrichs of Eureka as 
guest speakers. Many of the more than 1800 people who assembled also partook of 
the food and fellowship provided for the occasion by the women of the church 
under the leadership of the two ladies aid circles.

	Keith Schoenrock, contractor, trowels cement at cornerstone laying, as 
Pastor Haase and others look on.

	The wine colored velvet dossal hanging behind the altar accents the beauty 
of the Wisconsin sandstone of which it is constructed. Altar vases, 
candlesticks, and cross are of solid brass, while the altar rail is of gray 
fieldstone.

	Buff-colored, constructed of waylite block with brick veneer in Tudor 
Gothic design, the 39 X 96 foot structure with a normal seating capacity of  
300, built and furnished at a total cost of about $50,000, is completely paid 
for today. The church has a full basement which provides a social hall also used 
for Sunday school, a modern kitchen, and several other rooms. The building is 
heated by a forced air oil furnace and cooled by a ventilating fan installed in 
the tower.

	In the fall of 1954, Pastor John Schmierer succeeded Pastor Haase. It was 
during his stay that Ladies Aid Circle Two joined the Women's Missionary 
Federation and the local chapter of the Brotherhood was formed. Adult Bible 
class and Junior Mission Band were also initiated. An amplifying systern was 
installed to better serve the worshipers, whose number was swelled by members of 
the former Salem congregation. Pastor Schmierer served through August, 1958, 
when he answered a call to Streeter, North Dakota.

	The present pastor, Reverend Karl J. Reimer arrived here November 19, 
1958, and is living in the new parsonage completed in the spring of 1959. Under 
his leadership, Adult Bible class and Junior Mission Band have flourished. The 
Hoffman house and lot east of the church property was purchased for $5100 in 
May, 1959, to secure needed area for future expansion.

	Former St. James parsonage.

	A ventilating fan purchased for $600 and installed in June, 1961, has been 
a great boon during hot weather. In preparation for the anniversary festivities, 
the church interior was resealed and painted in March, 1962.

	Present church officers are Ervin Kempf, chairman and trustee; Elmer 
Hoffman, treasurer and trustee; Raymond E. Neuharth, secretary and deacon; 
Gottfried Walth and John Bendewald, Jr., deacons; and Christ Jakober, trustee. 
Edwin Hilgemann serves as building fund treasurer.

	Growth and progress have not always been the history of the congregation. 
The drought, grasshopper plagues, and crop failures of the early 1890's and the 
1930's, when many members left the community; the language controversy resulting 
in the loss of many members; Salem's leaving the parish for a time; and the 
frequent turnover of early pastors were all setbacks. But the grace of God, 
working through pastors who faithfully proclaimed His word, strengthened and 
increased the congregation as all things worked together for good, so that it is 
now the largest in the community, counting 460 confirmed members and about 185 
families.

	Now owned and rented out by the church, the Hoffman house is shown as it 
was being moved from the lot where the church now stands to the recently 
purchased lot east of it.

	Salem and Hope Complete Parish

	Founding their church in May, 1891, under the leadership of Pastor 
Reischauer, Salem's charter members were these ten families: Christian G. Wolff, 
Jacob Bertsch, Jacob Muhlbeier, Jacob Wolff, Frederick Jakober, Heinrich 
Schmitt, Gottlieb Bertsch, Joseph Staebler, Theodore Link, and George Rosin.

	Salem Lutheran Church

	The Christian G. Wolffs, charter members.

	Christian G. Wolff who had been a school teacher in Russia, had been 
conducting services in the various homes for a year. Since services by St. James 
pastors were held at Salem only once a month, Mr. Wolff continued reading 
services on other Sundays. That he was also a diligent Sunday school teacher and 
beloved youth leader for many years is evidenced by the comments received from 
some of his former students, one of whom writes; "I think no other Sunday school 
teacher ever took as much interest and taught as much or as well as he did. How 
we loved to hear him sing during services and Sunday school!" John Walth and 
August Heupel were among Salem's organists.

	Henry Schmitt, 82 year old son of one of Salem's founders, now of 1012 
Hogen Lane, Lodi, California recalls his confirmation in a school house near 
Christ Wolff's home by Pastor Brun on Palm Sunday in 1895. Mr. Wolff had served 
as substitute teacher for the class of five, namely C. Jakober, John Bertsch, 
Jacob Fuchs, C. E. Jacober, and Henry Schmitt.

	From 1891 to 1905, St. James pastors served the congregation. From 1906 to 
1912, Pastor Haag, who then lived on a farm near Eureka, served the church. A 
house of worship 15 miles west of Leola was built in 1908 and dedicated in 
November of that year.

	From 1906 to 1922, the congregation affiliated itself with the rural 
Hosmer or Jehovah congregation. In January, 1923, Salem rejoined the Leola 
parish and was served by Leola pastors until its dissolution. After the last 
service on December 26, 1954, most of the members joined St. James. Salem's 
property was sold in July, 1956.

	Charter member Jacob Muhlbeier.

	Pastors other than those from Leola who served Salem were G. W. Bunge, 
1912-1913; H. Dieter, 1913-1915; Rudolph Kranz, 1916-1919; and Louis Drews, 
1919-1922.

	Hoffnungs Gemeinde Organizes 

	Immigrants from southern Russia settled in the hills northwest of Leola 
early in the 1890's, establishing their new homes with great effort and 
sacrifice. They brought their Bibles, hymnals, and sermon books with them from 
the old country and used them to conduct reading services for their families in 
their new homes. Organizing Hoffnungs Gemeinde, or Hope Lutheran Church, on 
January 8, 1894, under the leadership of Pastor M. Reischauer, the nine charter 
member families were those of Johann Spitzer, Frederick Hoffman, George Wolff, 
George Feickert, Jacob Gohl, Jacob Feickert, Jacob Gehring, Johann Scheuffele, 
and Johann Scheuffele, Jr.

	Hope Lutheran Church

	In 1897 they acquired their first church, a building bought in Aberdeen 
and moved 55 miles to the church site in Hoffman township, 15 miles northwest of 
Leola. This building, which they remodeled into a church, was located almost a 
mile east of the later church. Its site is still marked by a few trees and a 
small cemetery. A new church was built in 1914 under the leadership of Pastor C. 
Taubert. In 1942 the interior of this church was renovated, and a painting of 
Christ knocking at the door was added to the altar.

	Never a large congregation, with its greatest membership at about 110 
confirmed members, Hope was always served by pastors from St. James.

	Services by pastors and German reading services by lay members were held 
on alternate Sundays, and during the last year English lay services were also 
held.

	On June 25, 1944, during the ministry of Pastor H. Haase, the congregation 
celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, with District President Rev. G. C. 
Landgrebe and a former pastor of the congregation, Rev. William Reinecke, as 
festival speakers.

	Final services in Hope Church were held on December 26, 1960, after 
members had agreed at their December 6th annual meeting to take steps to disband 
so that members could belong to a larger congregation. Of the fourteen voting 
members, ten joined St. James of Leola, and four went to Salem Emanuel of Long 
Lake.

	The cars pictured plus more of them parked east of the barn attest to the 
large turnout for Hope's golden jubilee. The huge tent pitched behind the church 
was used to serve meals to those attending and as a social area. A small tent 
served as a kitchen.

	The congregation's property was., sold in January, 1961. After paying for 
permanent fence around the cemetery so as to insure its protection in future 
years, the congregation divided the remainder of the assets among St. James, 
Salem-Emanuel, and various benevolences.

	Mr. and Mrs. Johann Spitzer, charter members of Hope, and family. Standing 
in the center is Elisabeth Hoffman, a present member of St. James.

	The Frederick Hoffmans, charter members of Hope, and family. At right is 
John F. Hoffman, a present member of St. James.

	Resurrection was once Parish Church

	Available records show that Resurrection Congregation of Wetonka was 
served by pastors of the St. James parish from the date of its organization on 
April 16, 1911, until sometime in 1919.

	Cook's Ranch, six miles east of Wetonka, was one of the early preaching 
stations. A hall in Wetonka and later a room in the Wetonka school were also 
used for worship services. When the congregation no longer could worship in the 
school and could not agree to build a church, it gradually broke up.

	Eleven Pastors Minister to Leola Parish After Missionary Ground Work

	Before Lutheran congregations were organized in this area, several 
missionaries traveled about on horses and mules or in buggies they furnished 
themselves, conducting services, baptisms, weddings, and funerals wherever they 
were needed. D. Lebahn, who served as missionary for the Lutheran Synod of Iowa, 
founded the Zion congregation of Aberdeen in the fall of 1882. He lived in the 
vicinity of Scatterwood Lake and served 28 congregations, including the Leola 
area.

	Pastor F. Preu, who was called to Aberdeen in 1885, also served Leola, 
Roscoe, Bowdle, Bath, Rondell Park, and in McPherson, Potter, and Campbell 
counties generally. Carrying on the tradition of self-sacrifice and dedication 
established by these early workers in the field of the Lord were St. James' 
early pastors.

	Hahn is First Resident Pastor

	Andreas Hahn

	The arrival of Andreas Hahn, St. James' first resident pastor, as well as 
some of his experiences and thoughts concerning them, are included in the 
general history of the congregation. A letter from the Hahns' oldest daughter, 
Hulda, remarks that, "Pastor and Mrs. Hahn often spoke about the kindness of the 
Leola people". After leaving Leola, Pastor Hahn, as their first married pastor, 
served three congregations at Anchor, Sibley, and Lawndale Township in Illinois. 
He had full charge of the St. Johns' Lutheran Church at Anchor for 46 years, 
from 1890 to 1936, until his death. His wife, writes his daughter, Hulda Hahn, 
of Bloomington, Illinois, was "a great and good helpmeet to him throughout his 
ministry".

	Esther, the only child of the Hahns born in Leola, died of measles and 
pneumonia at the age of seven. Ida was killed in an accident the same year at 
the age of six months. Andrew, the oldest son, is a retired minister and father 
of four children. Paul passed away last December in Chicago.

	Pauline's husband is Dr. Kegerreis of Elmhurst, Illinois. Alice is married 
to Edmund Rausch, who works for the government, placing children in homes. Marie 
is Mrs. Arne Hansen of Bloomington, Illinois, the mother of two sons, of whom 
one is married, and the other is in high school. Leola, a registered nurse, is 
the widowed mother of two daughters, of whom one is married, and the other is in 
high school.

	Heye Ferdinand, Pastor Hahn, and Pastor Reichen in Illinois shortly before 
Hahn's death.

	Reischauer Organizes Salem, Hope

	Before coming to Leola, Martin Reischauer served, in 1889, at Bernon and 
at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Port Huron, both in Michigan, from whence he 
came to South Dakota. The latter congregation and St. James are the only ones of 
his erstwhile charges still in existence today.

	Despite diligent search, little information and no picture of Pastor 
Reischauer could be found. However, Otto Breitag, one of his confirmands, 
remembers staying with the Reischauers for two months during the winter 
schooling that was combined with three months of summer training to prepare 
students for confirmation. Confirmation services for Otto's class in 1893, as 
well as other years while St. James had no church, were held in the old Reformed 
church. Otto also recalls that recesses were spent in playing baseball, a 
favorite sport even then.

	The conditions and hardships described earlier prevailed during this 
pastor's services also, and records show that drought and generally hard times 
plagued his young congregation. Nothing daunted, Pastor Reischauer went out from 
St. James to organize Salem congregation in May, 1891, and Hope congregation in 
January, 1894. In 1891 he also served Jewell, North Dakota, a community near the 
present site of Ashley.

	Churches, with approximate dates, which Pastor Reischauer is known to have 
served after leaving Leola are Tulare, South Dakota, 1894-1898; and Pyrmont, 
Missouri, 1899-1904.

	Brun Serves in Dakota  18 Years

	Pastor and Mrs. Nikolaus Brun on their wedding day.

	Born in Odessa, Russia, on August 13, 1864, Nikolaus Brun, son of Leo and 
Sophie Brun, went to Germany as a young man and attended the Missionsanstalt at 
Neuendettelsau. In America he attended the Missouri Synod Seminary in St. Louis 
for a short time but soon joined the Iowa Synod and, receiving further education 
at Springfield, Missouri, and Wartburg Seminary, was ordained in Berlin, 
Nebraska, on April 24, 1892.

	He married Anna Pett, sister of Pastors Otto and Ernest Pett, on April 26, 
1893. Of the Dakota congregations he served for 18 years, only St. James and one 
in Ashley, North Dakota, still exist today. After serving Leola from 1895 to 
1897, he went to Krem, north of the present Hazen, North Dakota, 1899-1900; 
Jewell, North Dakota, 1902; Ashley, 1903-1904; Belle, 1905-1907; and Esmond, 
1908 -19 12, both in South Dakota.

	After Bethune, Colorado, where he served the Immanuel church until 1915, 
he moved to the Zion church of Phillipsburg, Kansas, where he remained active 
until 1924. After his death on April 19, 1925, Mrs. Brun moved to Longmont, 
Colorado, with the four youngest children. She passed away there March 1, 1956, 
and was buried beside her husband at Phillipsburg.

	Information furnished by Marie, now Mrs. Frank Oehlke, of St. Paul, 
Minnesota, the oldest of the ten children, also reveals that a brother died in 
infancy at Bethune. Other children are Mrs. Gus (Amelia) Adolf, of Wapato, 
Washington; John, of Enderlin, North Dakota; Mrs. John (Beatta) Gundel, 
Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Richard (Dorothy) Gundel, Cupertina, California; Mrs. J. 
W. (Albertine) Fonda, Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Mrs. Annie Ring, Denver, Colorado; 
Mrs. Jesse (Wilma) Merlan, Moscow, Idaho; and Herman, of Long Beach, California.

	Haag Proves Up Homestead

	Before coming to St. James in 1898, Pastor Adam Haag served a congregation 
at Milbank from 1896 to 1898. After leaving Leola in 1904, he moved to the 
parsonage of the Hoffnungsthal congregation eight miles west of Eureka and 
served it and the Neudorf congregation six miles southwest of Eureka for over 
two years.

	Adam Haag

	He then homesteaded 6 1/2 miles southwest of Eureka, proving up the 
homestead, selling it, and returning to Eureka in 1915.

	It was during this time that he also served the Salem church. In October, 
19 17, he moved to Portland, Oregon, to be near his children. About 76 years of 
age at his passing in 1924, he was followed in death by his wife in 1928. Emil 
G. Haag, one of the sons, who supplied much of this information, reports that he 
and his three brothers- William, Paul L., and Otto, reside in Portland, Oregon. 
Two daughters also reside in Oregon, Mary in Hillsboro and Louisa in Cornelius. 
Mathilda, Clara, and Martha are deceased.

	Walther Serves Dakotas and Texas

	Franz Walther

	Pastor Franz Walther, who had served Zion congregation in Aberdeen and 
surrounding areas in 1893, and Casselton, North Dakota, from 1896 to 1904, came 
to Leola in 1904. Born in Saxony, Germany, on August 27, 1866, he studied 
theology as a young man and, after passing his examinations, came to America and 
was ordained as a pastor of the former Iowa Synod in 1891. Until 1907 he served 
congregations in the Dakotas.

	In 1907 Pastor Walther became a member of the Texas synod, where he not 
only served Zion church of Priddy from 1907-1916 and Georgetown from 1917-1924 
and other congregations, but also held various offices in the synod. He was 
living at the home of his daughter Elizabeth when God took his servant home on 
March 10, 1932. Eight pastors took part in the funeral rites which laid him to 
rest at Detmold, Texas, beside his beloved wife Cecilia, nee Jessen, whom he had 
married on February 5, 1892, and who had preceeded him in death in 1928.

	Their five children were all born before the family came to Leola. The 
children are Paul, who died September 14, 1951; Mrs. A. E. (Elizabeth) 
Grornatzky, of Eden, Texas, who supplied this information and the picture of her 
father; Theodore, of Austin, Texas; Mrs. Herman (Catherine) Steger, of New 
Orleans; and Mrs. N. A. (Hannah) Werner, of Eden, Texas. They are all anxious to 
visit their North Dakota birthplace and hope to stop in Leola en route.

	Taubert Awarded Honorary Degree

	Curt Taubert

	Born in Dresden, Germany, on September 26, 1873, and coming to the United 
States in 1897, Curt Taubert attended Wartburg Seminary at Dubuque, Iowa, and 
was ordained in 1901. In the same year he married Anna Hauser and accepted his 
first pastorate at Pocohontas, Missouri, where he remained until 1905. Typhoid 
fever, followed by malaria, prompted him to move to a northern climate, and thus 
he came to Leola in 1906. "Here the below zero weather and the drives to the 
north congregation and to Wetonka surely cured all the malaria," writes Mrs. 
Taubert.

	The Tauberts remained until 1910, when Pastor Taubert was called to Eureka 
as director of the Lutheran academy there. Returning to Leola in 19 12, they 
remained until 19 19, after which Pastor Taubert served St. John's church at 
Gothenburg, Nebraska, until 1938, when they moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado, 
where he served Bethlehem church until 1946. Even though he had then officially 
retired, he preached almost every Sunday, since there were a number of vacancies 
in the area, and took over Peace Lutheran church in Longmont in 1950 until 
illness forced him to retire again in 1955, when a major operation left him 
unable to serve any longer. He died on April 16, 1958; at the age of 84.

	Pastor Taubert also served in other capacities in the church-as vice-
president of the South Dakota District and the Western District of the Iowa 
Synod, acting president of the Western District, ranking vice-president of the 
Central District, and as a member of the Board of Foreign Missions. For an 
entire generation his name was almost synonymous with the Mission Auxiliary, of 
which he was one of the founders, serving as the business manager of its 
publications and, for a time, as editor.

	"In recognition of these and other valuable services under the grace of 
God rendered to the church by Pastor Taubert", the Board of Regents honored him 
with a citation on June 1, 1955, and had conferred on him in behalf of Wartburg 
Theological Seminary the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.

	Mrs. Taubert, who provided the pastor's picture and some of this 
information, lives at 421 Parker Street, in the Columbine Nursing Home, at Fort 
Collins, Colorado. She writes that she is "in fairly good health not considering 
arthritis and neuritis, but thank the Lord every day that I am still able to 
play the piano when we have our devotions." She also assists the manager of the 
home. Her daughter, Mrs. Melitta Cook, of Wyanet, Illinois, and a granddaughter, 
Mrs. Lois Stoiber, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are both registered nurses. There 
are four great-grandchildren.

	Staehling Is Pastor 55 Years

	Johannes Otto Staehling

	Fifty-five years of dedicated ministry were to follow Pastor J. O. 
Staehling's ordination on November 25, 1883, by Pastor Andreas Hahn in St. 
Johannes church at Manchester, South Dakota. In December, 1885, he left St. 
Johannes for Lizard Township, Pocohontas County, Iowa, where he served for, ten 
years. He next served St. Paulus and St. Matthews congregations at Harmony, 
Minnesota for six years. From 1900 to 1910, the  Richfield and St. Petri 
congregations of Fayette, Iowa, were his parish. During his stay in Leola, from 
September, 1910, to April, 1912, he formally organized the Resurrection 
congregation of Wetonka.

	When the Staehlings came to Leola, all of their seven children were at 
home. Their eighth child, Otto C., a pastor, was born in Myrtle, Minnesota, 
where the elder Pastor Staehling served the Bethlehern congregation for 26 years 
until his retirement in May, 1938. He was succeeded by this son, who is still 
serving the parish. Otto is married to Ruth Studier, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Emil Studier, who were members of St. James congregation and resided at Leola 
when their daughter Ruth was born.

	The other seven children are daughters Emilie and Elizabeth, housewives; 
Barbara and Ida, teachers; and sons Conrad, a teacher; Walter, a mechanical 
engineer; and Gustav, an electrical engineer.

	Reinecke Serves Leola 22Years

	William Reinecke

	Reverend William Reinecke, whose mother and sisters and brothers all died 
during a diphtheria epidemic while he was very young, was born to a German 
farmer in Koeckte near Gardelegen, which is now 16 miles behind the Iron 
Curtain, on May 7, 1873. Some time later, after William, too, had contracted the 
disease, he was told to take one last look at the sunshine as he was being moved 
from his bed in a hay loft to a room in the house, where he was expected to die.

	Living in various private homes and at times staying with his father, who 
had moved to the Hanover area, he received his first schooling. Later he became 
an apprentice cabinet maker arid, to make ends meet while attending school, 
lived in a room above the shop. He came to the attention of a pastor's wife who 
later became his foster mother and helped him to realize his desire to become a 
missionary. Thus he was able to enter the Mission Haus in Hermannsburg and 
complete his training there in 1899. His graduation picture still hangs among 
others in the dining hall there today.

	Induced by his foster mother to go to America instead of India, Reinecke 
came to the United States in 1900, was ordained into the Lutheran ministry in 
Maysville, Ohio, and married Margaretha Blumenschein there the same year. 
Following are the parishes he attended in his 46 years in the service of the 
Lord; Corwith, Iowa; Monticello and Castle Grove, Iowa; Massbach, Illinois; 
Boyd, Iowa; a mission post at Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Mitchell, Iowa; Leola, 
1919-1941; and Bridgewater, South Dakota, from 1941 until his death on September 
29, 1946.

	Reinecke family in 1937.

	Pastor and Mrs. Reinecke both lie buried in Springfield, Minnesota. Mrs. 
Reinecke, after suffering from arthritis for 15 years, died in July, 1942, 
preceding in death one of her daughters, Mrs. John J. (Johanna) Guthmiller, who 
died in March, 1952. Two other children died in infancy. Surviving children are 
Martin Reinecke of Sioux Falls; Major Erwin Reinecke of Augusta, Georgia; Mrs. 
William G. (Clara) Bash of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. J. E. (Hattie) Bell of Dubuque, 
Iowa; and Mrs. Erna Gray of Detroit, Michigan.

	Mrs. Bash recalls that she served as organist during the four years Leola 
was her home. Many of Pastor Reinecke's confirmands mentioned how the girls, 
especially Johanna and Clara, who helped with confirmation, Bible, and Sunday 
school classes, were dearly loved and greatly admired by their students. Clara 
has continued her work with young people in Columbus, Ohio, where, with her 
husband, she organized a Sunday school at the state mentally retarded school ten 
years ago, with the help of some university students. Later they expanded to 
another mentally retarded school and the blind school and diagnostic center. 
Last fall they opened a Sunday school at the Boy's Industrial School 30 miles 
south of Columbus. Donations pay for costs such as literature, transportation, 
and bus drivers' licenses and wages.

	Although none of the Reinecke children now live in this area, Johanna's 
children, Harold and Arlen, live on the family farm southwest of Leola, and 
Margaret (Novak) in Sioux Falls.

	Haase Takes Pride Of New Church


	Pastor and Mrs. Herman H. Haase

	Born January 6, 1889, in Verdenermoor, Hanover, Germany, Herman Henry 
Haase, son of Hinrich Haase and his wife Maria nee HeImke, was baptized and 
later confirmed in the church at Kirchlinteln. Arriving in New York on March 3, 
1908, he made his home with relatives in Ohio and Nevada until January, 1915, 
when he entered Wartburg College at Waverly, Iowa, graduating from Wartburg 
Seminary at Dubuque in the spring of 1920.

	Called to the mission field at Isabel, South Dakota, he was ordained in 
Salem Lutheran Church at Parkston on July 18, 1920. After serving Isabel from 
July, 1920, to April, 1923, Pastor Haase was called to Selby, where he remained 
until June, 1931, when he went to Hosmer. In January, 1942, the Haases accepted 
a call to Leola, where they remained until October, 1954, before going to St  
Peter's rural church at Delmont, South Dakota, where they remained until May, 
1959, when they retired to Sioux Falls.

	Celebration by the Leola parish in 1950 of the 25th anniversary of Pastor 
Haase's marriage, on June 25, 1925, with Minnie Kirchdoerfer, daughter of the 
Reverend G. Kirchdoerfers of Java, was combined with the observance of the 30th 
anniversary of Pastor Haase's ordination. About 500 guests were in attendance to 
honor the couple.

	Besides promoting the growth of his parish and its organizations, Pastor 
Haase took active part in parsonage and church improvements, and could take 
pride in the fact that while the new church was being built not one member left 
the congregation. Mrs. Haase ably and faithfully assisted her husband in his 
work and served as one of St. James organists.

	Serving as a member for several years and later as chairman of the 
Stewardship and Finance Committee of the Dakota District, Reverend Haase also 
was District Representative of the Pension Committee. While in retirement he 
served actively as supply pastor, his last congregation being at Kaylor. Funeral 
services for Pastor Haase, who died March 15, 1961, were held from St. John 
American Lutheran Church of Sioux Falls, with three ministers taking part in the 
services, and six pastors acting as pall bearers.

	Mrs. Haase and her son Herbert, the father of four children, who works for 
Champlin Oil and Refining Company, now live in Sioux Falls. Mrs. Oliver (Irene) 
Weybright, who has one son, teaches in Rapid City. Herman, who has three 
children, works for Oliver Iron Mine Company as an engineer and lives in Duluth, 
Minnesota. Martin is pastor of the newly organized Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 
of Aberdeen.

	Schmierer Now Serves as Chaplain

	St. James' only pastor who was born and raised in this area is John 
Schmierer, who was born at Java, South Dakota, on May 8, 1904, and grew up on a 
farm near there. Entering Eureka Lutheran College in 1919, he graduated in 1924 
and attended Wartburg College for two years. In 1930 he finished the theological 
course at Wartburg Seminary and was ordained into the holy office of the 
ministry on July 6. On October 2 of the same year, he was united in marriage 
with Marie Bieber of Bowdle, South Dakota.

	John Schmierer

	Pastor Schmierer's first charge was the Halliday-Dunn Center parish in 
North Dakota. Other congregations he served during his 31 years as a parish 
minister are St. Luke's at Zap, North Dakota; Redeemer at McLaughlin, South 
Dakota; Zion at Golden Valley, North Dakota; St. James and Hope at Leola; and 
St. Luke's at Streeter, North Dakota. Since July, 1961, he is serving as 
chaplain and superintendent of the Joachim Memorial Horne, a home for the aged, 
at Beulah, North Dakota. At present the Schmierers are busy preparing to open a 
new nursing home in the same community.

	During the time the Schmierers served the Leola parish, from the fall of 
1954 to August, 1958, the Brotherhood was founded and Circle II joined WMF. 
Adult Bible class was instituted, and Junior Mission Band came into being. 
Pastor and Mrs. Schmierer were joined in church and community activities by 
their two adopted children, Jeanette and Willis.

	Jeanette, who was attending Wartburg College at the time, served as 
organist and choir director when she was home and gave piano and organ 
instructions to local students. Graduated with an M.S. degree in music in 195 7, 
Jeanette is now the wife of Reverend Walter Pilgrim of Edmonton, Alberta, 
Canada. The Pilgrims have two children, a boy and a girl.

	Willis, who attended Leola High School, is at present living in Illinois 
after serving a three-year hitch in the U.S. Navy as cook on the battleship U.S. 
S. Helena.

	The Schmierer family.

	Reimer is Present Pastor

	Karl J. Reimer

	St. James' present pastor, Reverend Karl J. Reimer, served the Forestburg, 
Alberta, Canada, parish as a supply pastor for a year before being ordained. He 
graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, in 1938, and served 
in Regina, Saskatchewan, and surrounding territory from 1939-1945, and Moose 
Jaw, Saskatchewan, and neighboring areas from 1945 to 1949.

	Pastor and Mrs. Reimer, the former Louise Kroeger, daughter of Pastor and 
Mrs. H. Kroeger, of Saskatchewan, Canada, were married at Yellow Grass on June 
6, 1940, by her father,. Accepting his first parish in the United States, Pastor 
Reimer served Neche, North Dakota, and Gretna, Manitoba, from 1949 to 1957. 
After two years in Verona, North Dakota, the Reimers accepted a call to Leola, 
arriving on November 19, 1958. Pastor Reimer had also supplied other 
congregations from two months to three years from all places of residence before 
Leola.

	Mrs. Reimer serves as one of St. James organists, is active in the women's 
organizations, and teaches Bible and Saturday school, besides being president of 
the Leola hospital auxiliary. The boys are also active in church as well as 
community activities. The two oldest sons, William, a junior, and Robert, a 
freshman, are at present attending State College at Brookings. Richard is a 
sophomore in the local high school, and James is a fifth grader.

	Beauty of the new parsonage, into which they moved in 1959, is enhanced by 
Mrs. Reimer's lovely flowers and the grooming and excellent care given the 
building and grounds by the whole family.

	Pastor Reimer, Richard, Robert, William, James and Mrs. Reimer.

	Pastors' Descendants and Former Lay Member Are Lutheran Ministers

	Several sons of pastors and one former lay rnember of St. James have 
become Lutheran ministers in their own right.

	Andrew Hahn, who served parishes in Chatsworth, Illinois; in Wisconsin; 
and in Cuero, Texas, is now retired and living in Cuero with his wife.

	Otto C. Staehling succeeded his father as pastor of the Bethlehern 
congregation at Myrtle, Minnesota, in 1938 and is still serving there.

Martin Haase

	Martin Haase, whose new Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Aberdeen was 
dedicated on May 20 of this year and who is participating in St. James' 
anniversary services, was born on July 11, 1931, at Hosmer, baptized in St. 
John's there, and confirmed in St. James in 1945. After graduating from Leola 
High School, he attended NSTC in Aberdeen, receiving his B. A. degree from 
Wartburg college in 1953, and his Bachelor of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in 
1957. Serving his internship at Good Shepherd Church of San Diego, California, 
he married Jenssine Carlin of that city on June 29, 1958. His pastorates before 
Good Shepherd, to which he came on January 1, 1962, were St. John's at Dimock 
and St. John's at Corsica, South Dakota.

	Pastor H. H. Haase and his son Martin at the latter's ordination services  
on June 23, 1957.

	Two of Pastor Reinecke's grandchildren, Ewald (Joe) Bash and William Bash, 
are also ministers. Ewald, Clara Reinecke's oldest son, is Assistant Youth 
Director of the American Lutheran Church. Last summer he and his wife Inga took 
a group of college students to Reykjavik, Iceland, where they and students from 
Canada and Iceland formed a work camp and good will peace corps to clean up an 
old Lutheran church which was built in the 11th century and had been abandoned 
for over 50 years. Under the direction of Joe and a contractor, the students 
cleaned out all the stones and debris which had accumulated due to climatic and 
volcanic conditions. A ditch was dug through the center of the church for 
drainage, walls were cleaned of plaster and cement,. and flat lava slabs of all 
colors were picked up in the mountains to be used as a floor. The people there 
will finish the work and hope to have rededication services in two years. 
William (Bill) Bash, the youngest son, is serving a two -congregation parish at 
Genesee, Idaho.

	The lay member who became a minister is Ernest W. Hilgemann, son of Ernest 
and Ella, nee Ludwig, Hilgemann, who was born February 27, 1915, and baptized 
into the Christian faith. Educated in the Leola schools, he graduated from high 
school in 1931, attended NSTC, and received his B. A. degree from Jamestown 
College, North Dakota, in 1936. An LLB degree was awarded Mr. Hilgemann by the 
law school of the University of South Dakota in 1940, after which he practiced 
law and was the first manager of the Leola office of the Ipswich State Bank, 
which institution became the Leola State Bank during World War 11. 1942 to 1946 
was spent in overseas service with the U.S. Army.

	E. W. Hilgemann

	Returning to Leola with his bride, Priscilla Nelson of Bath, South Dakota, 
in 1946, "Bud'' again practiced law, serving as states attorney for McPherson 
County and city attorney for Leola, and vice -president of the bank. He was 
confirmed by Reverend A. Elmer Moe and became a member of Betl-dehem Lutheran 
Church of Aberdeen in 1947 and later transferred membership to St. James. Mrs. 
Hilgemann was the first president of Circle Two of the Ladies Aid and served as 
church organist at St. James.

	In 1950 the family moved to Clermont, Iowa, where Mr. Hilgemann again 
practiced law and was cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank. It was during his 
membership and activities in West Clermont Lutheran Church that the call to full 
time service of his Lord crystallized and became so strong that he entered 
Wartburg Seminary in 1956, receiving his BD degree in 1959. Ordained at Clermont 
on June 14, 1959, Pastor Hilgemann accepted a call to Trinity Church, Talmage, 
Nebraska, where he also served as pastor to St. Paul's, a rural church, for 
several months. In November, 1961, the Hilgemans, with their five children, 
moved to Elgin, Iowa, where they are living at present. Pastor Hilgemann is 
participating in St. James' 75th anniversary services in July.

	Youngest Member is Baptized

	At the last baptism before this book went to press, sponsors Mr. and Mrs. 
Edward Gehring present Brian Luther Hoffman to Pastor Reimer as the child's 
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Hoffman, look on.

	Church Council Counsels

	Elected officers who presently supervise church affairs are Edwin 
Hilgemann, Christ Jakober, Gottfried Walth, Ray Neuharth, Erwin Kempf, Elmer 
Hoffman, John Bendewald, Pastor Reimer.

	Oldest Members Are Still Active

	Pictured with his wife is Friedrich Weisz, who was confirmed before the 
Salem congregation was formally organized and is the oldest living rnember of 
the former Salem congregation. Now 83 years of age, Mr. Weisz is a loyal member 
of St. James Church.

	Mr. and Mrs. Christ Ferdinand, 83 and 82 years old respectively, are 
pictured at their 60th wedding anniversary open house in 1960. Among the oldest 
members of St. James congregation, which they joined in 1911, they now live in 
the Lutheran Home at Eureka and intend to be in Leola for the church's 
festivities in July.

	Oldest member of the St. James congregation is 93-year old Mrs. Katharina 
Wagemann, who resides on her son August's farm near Wetonka. Although she is 
practically deaf and blind, her clear memory of her favorite hymns and Bible 
verses brings her much comfort. 

	Sunday Morning Worshipers Fill Santurary of Church

	Since the normal seating capacity of the church is about 300, ushers and 
church council members are often hard pressed to seat the congregation. Extra 
chairs in the center aisle, in front of and behind the pews, help to accommodate 
worshipers at English services at 9:30 Sunday mornings.

	Newly painted a rosy beige are the rough plaster walls of the sanctuary. 
Sunlight shining through arched Gothic stained glass windows recessed in the 
walls casts lovely hues over all it touches.

	The ceiling of multi-toned tan blocks holds light fixtures especially 
constructed for St. James by a Wisconsin glass worker. These lamps, which have 
metal frames and grill work featuring the cross, are of frosted glass at the top 
and blue and red panels at the bottom sides. They have multiple switches to 
provide various combinations of lighting. Speakers for the amplifying system can 
also be seen attached to the ceiling.

	Pews, the chancel chairs, the pulpit, and the baptismal font are made of 
oak. The floor features brown and tan tile blocks, with a wine-colored rug in 
the chancel and down the center aisle.

	Steps to the balcony at the rear, which provides extra seating, lead up 
from the church entry. The choir loft, framed by an arch across the top, extends 
west from the front of the sanctuary. The organ is located at the corner of the 
choir loft, while its speakers open into the chancel. The vestry is to the west 
of the chancel, and a general purpose room is to the east.

Preserve Language as Well as Faith of Their Fathers

	Pictured below are some of the older members of the congregation who 
prefer to worship in the language of their forefathers. German services are held 
on alternate Sundays at 11:00 o'clock. German Lenten services are also 
conducted.

	Choirs and Organ Beauty to Worship

	Organists Eldora Weisser, Rose Kaul, Louise Reimer, Idella Feickert, 
Barbara Maier.

	Apparently the current pastor's wife usually served as organist during the 
earlier years of the congregation. It is known that Mrs. Taubert played the 
organ, and Olga and Esther Arndt also were organists during Taubert's tenure.

	In 1919, when Reverend Reinecke came, his daughter Clara played the organ 
for four years until she left Leola. Daughter Johanna also was organist for a, 
time, and later Hattie and then Erna played for services. After Erna left to 
further her education, Mrs. Reinhold Buechler was organist for about four years 
until she moved to Aberdeen. She was followed by Mrs. Fred (Ernma) Hepperle, who 
also played for the choir and special occasions.

	Reverend Haase brought his own organists with him-his wife and his 
daughter Irene. Mrs. E. W. Hilgemann also played for services after Irene left 
for college. It was at this time that the old reed organ was replaced by a 
Wurlitzer electric organ. Mrs. Allen (Verna) Kulm served as organist from 1952 
to 1956. Mrs. Enoch Schaffer also served as organist at times.

	Having taken lessons, as had Mrs. Kulm, on the Hammond concert organ which 
replaced the Wurlitzer, several members of the congregation began to play for 
services. Rose Kaul and Marcella Hoffman alternated for English services, and 
Mrs. Frieda Hauck and Marcella Feickert played for German services, and the 
former also played for men's choir. Jeanette Schmierer acted as organist when 
she was home on vacation from college.

	Presently using their talents to add musical beauty to church services are 
Rose Kaul, who plays regularly for English services; Mrs. Louise Reimer, who 
plays for German services; Idella Feickert, who accompanies the mixed choir; 
Mrs. Eldora Weisser, who serves as accompanist for the men's choir; and Barbara 
Maier is the youngest and newest member of the group.

	Mens Choir Sings for Services, Broadcasts

	A musical number provided at the meeting of the Brotherhood on February 
13, 195 6, by a quartette consisting of Perry Stoddard, Christ Jakober, Jack 
Kulm, and Andrew Kraemer, led to an effort to organize a men's choir by the 
choir director, Perry Stoddard. About a month later some of our men had 
practiced enough so that they were ready to sing at a Brotherhood meeting in 
Eureka.

	The men's choir sang at their first church service in the fall of 1956, 
and since that time have regularly taken their turn in providing special music 
at services.

	They sing regularly on German radio broadcasts recorded in our church and 
have sung several times at the local PTA and at various institutions. Through 
most of the years, Mrs. Frieda Hauck served as accompanist, as did Jeanette 
Schmierer for several months. The present accompanist is Mrs. Eldora Weisser. 
Pastor Reimer acts as director.

	Former members of the choir include Wm. D. Hauck, Marvin Maule, Pastor J. 
Schmierer, Albert Heyd, Jack Kulm, Albert Breitag, and Ed Hilgemann.

	Front row: Gottlieb Gienger, John Bendewald, Erwin Kempf. Middle row: 
Milbert Koerner, Leonhart Gienger, Jacob Jakober, Gottfried Walth, Pastor 
Reimer. Back row: Ernest Jasmer, John D. Rath, Christ Jakober, Elmer Hoffman, 
Andrew Kraemer. Not pictured: Dr. Karlis Zvejnieks.

	Mixed Mixed Choir Sings on Alternate Sundays

	Front row: Carol Schaible, Carol Hilgemann, Dorothy Neuharth, Dianne 
Hoffman, Violet Hoffman. Middle row: Rose Kaul, Idella Feickert, organists; Mary 
Ann Hoffman, Barbara Maier, Mary Kapp, Delores Hoffman, Lorraine Fauth, Vivian 
Mack. Back row: Leslie Fauth, Larry Hoffman, Wilton Hoffman, Carrold Kempf, 
Randall Fauth, Donald Hoffman, Richard Jasmer, Carrold Kraemer, Richard Reimer, 
Pastor Reimer. Not pictured: Imogene Smolnisky, Georgia Muhlbeier.

	Little is known about the choirs during the earlier years of the 
congregation, except that theirs was an off-again-on-again existence. Mrs. Olga 
Wohlrabe, nee Arndt, whose father donated the land the 1902 church stood on, 
recalls that "Mrs. Taubert, a very fine musician, organized a choir from a group 
of people who couldn't read notes but sang difficult music." Olga and Anna 
Arndt, Olga and Alma Hauffe, Anna Krause, Martha Breitag, Tillie Hepperle, 
Hattie Melchert, Lawrence Schulz, Henry Young, Sr., and John Hepperle are known 
to have been members of that choir.

	Throughout the years the choir was started and discontinued several times 
but would usually sing for special occasions. Luther League choirs existed and 
sang at times.

	When Pastor Haase came to St. James, he organized the mixed choir which 
still sings on alternate Sundays. Choir gowns for this group were purchased by 
both ladies aids. Practices, which were held at the parsonage before the new 
church was built, are now held once a week in the church. The pastors have 
usually directed the choir, except for a few years when Perry Stoddard, Marvin 
Maule, and Jeanette Schmierer directed. Rose Kaul is in charge of the choir 
during the summer months.- At times the feminine contingent of the mixed choir 
sings as a ladies' choir.

	Congregation Takes Pride in New Parsonage

	A white ranch style structure, the present St.James parsonage was built on 
the same site, across the street and northwest of the church, as the old 
parsonage, which was sold and moved in 1958.  Measuring 32 X 50 feet without the 
garage, the  building cost about $24, 000 plus many hours of contributed labor. 
All of the cost has been paid. Members of the building committee were Gerhardt 
Breitag, chairman; William Hauck, secretary; Adolph Schaible, Albert Steiger, 
Edwin Adam, Arthur Fauth, Jacob Jakober, Mrs. Leo Heibel, and Mrs. Irven Kulm. 
Mrs. John Bendewald servedlater in place of Mrs. Kulm. Contractor was the Peavey 
Building Service. The Brotherhood built and paid for a bedroom in the basement, 
and the Ladies Aid supplied the drapes. Dedication services were held on Sunday, 
June 28, 1959, with Reverend T. R. Baudler of Eureka as guest speaker. A portion 
of the parsonage basernent is at present being utilized as much-needed space for 
a Sunday school class. The congregation hopes to meet its need for more room 
with the addition of a planned educational unit to the church.

	Circle I members are: Seated: Bertha Potratz, Christine Steiger, Sophie 
Rath, Minnie Fischer, Rose Jundt, Lydia Kapp, Elma Heibel, Johanna Hoffman, 
Christina Breitag, Elizabeth Jakober. Standing: Anna Jakober, Margaret Potratz, 
Lena Heihn, Barbara Muhlbeier, Esther Breitag, Hilda Guthmiller, Rose Jasmer, 
Louise Reimer, Christina Wolff, Lilly Walth, Christine Hoffman, Eva Tribble, 
Elisabeth Hoffman. Not pictured: Minnie Glaser, Martha Wagemann, Fredericka 
Wolff, Ella Krein, Ida Rath, Esther Jung, Mary Smolnisky, Martha Jung, Ella 
Hilgemann, Christine Hilgemann, Esther Heyd, Lulu Muhlbeier.

	Women's Groups are Active in  Church Projects

	There had been a ladies' aid before Reverend Taubert came to Leola, but it 
had disbanded. The present St. James aid, known as the Frauen Verein, was 
organized January 7, 19 19. Charter members present at the first meeting were 
Mrs. W. Thielen, Mrs. C. Taubert, Mrs. F. Schoenfelder, Mrs. M. Krause, Mrs. J. 
Wallrich, and Mrs. P. Schuchardt. Mrs. Thielen was president, and Mrs. Taubert 
served as secretary.

	Although other records of the group before 1947 could not be located, it 
is known that the organization continued and grew under succeeding pastors. 
Those whom members still here recall as having. belonged to the early aid are: 
Margaretha Reinecke, Martha Joireman, Bertha Pade, Mrs. William Linkernan, Mrs. 
Heye Ferdinand, Bertha Potratz, Emelia Hoeft, Mary Breitag, Minnie Glaser, 
Christina Ruede, Mrs. Gotthilf Stickel, Christina Steiger, Martha Pfeifle, Mrs. 
Henry Reiner, Wanda Hauffe, Katherina Kettner, Minnie Schuchardt, Lena Glaser, 
Minnie Fischer, Mrs. Kutschke, and Emrna Kruger. Dues, set at 10 cents, were 
increased to 15 cents as times got better.

	Available records show that six new members joined the group in 1947, 
which apparently had about 20 members at the beginning of the year. The ladies 
donated the materials as well as their labor on fancy work. In July they paid 
$100 toward kitchen cupboards for the parsonage, together with $50 each by Hope 
and Salem congregations.

	Tillie (Mrs. Jacob) Maier holds the record for tenure of office, serving 
as treasurer until 1956. Johanna Guthmiller also put in many years of service as 
secretary of the organization. Hilda Guthmiller, Alma Heibel, Lilly Walth, Alice 
Wolff, and Ella Hilgemann are others who led the group as officers for a varying 
number of years.

	Taking part in the annual library benefit show in 1948, the aid paid $200 
toward the new organ and bought settings of silverware available through coffee 
coupons. Members recall as a 1949 highlight their sled ride to the home of Mary 
Gienger for their February meeting. Fancy work items donated by a member were 
sometimes auctioned at meetings. $500 was put in a savings account to start a 
fund to be used in the proposed new church.

	On April 6, 1950, at the home of Eva Balliet, it was decided to organize a 
new circle of younger church members, since the aid was already almost too large 
to meet in the homes, and because many of these younger ladies were working 
outside their homes and could not attend afternoon meetings. The organization 
meeting with aid officers was held at the home of Elma Heibel, and the first 
official meeting of the new group was held at the home of Priscilla Hilgemann on 
April 21, 1950. Present were Pastor Haase, three members of Circle 1, and 11 
charter members, namely Priscilla Hilgemann, Wilma Hilgemann, Anna Stoecker, 
Althea Lapka, Vera Kulm, Lorraine Fauth, Gertrud Becker, Alma Hauffe, Violet 
Hoffman, Viola Smolnisky, and Erna Fauth. First officers were Priscilla 
Hilgernann, chairman; Althea Lapka, vice-chairman; Vera Kulm, secretary; Anna 
Stoecker, treasurer, and Wilma Hilgemann, reporter.

	Working together in their efforts to beautify their new house of worship, 
to make the teaching of His Word more effective, and to aid the church's mission 
work, the ladies helped not only to furnish the church basement, but, also, 
Circle I bought the carpeting for the chancel and center aisle and the kneeling 
pads, and Circle II contributed the white and green altar cloths and pulpit 
hangings and pew ropes for the church. With the help of all the women of the 
church, they provided two meals for members and visitors on dedication day on 
September 23. Officers of the two groups at the time were Alvina Schaible, Alice 
Wolff, Johanna Guthmiller, and Tillie Maier, and Gertrud Becker, Wilma 
Hilgemann, Alma Hauffe, and Lorraine Fauth. Donations of $177.72 left after 
costs were used to purchase more tables and a vacuum cleaner for the church. 
Member Ella Hilgemann and her husband donated the 100 complete settings of 
dishes which Circle I had intended to buy. The first meeting in the church 
parlors was held on October 5, 1951.

	Stair treads for the rear basement steps were provided by Circle I, and 
Circle II covered the balcony steps. Both circles donated to the new hospital 
which was being built by the contractor who built our church. To improve Sunday 
school facilities, the ladies of Circle II bought and hung the dividing curtains 
which Circle I sewed.

	Women of the Church, formerly known as Women's Missionary Federation and 
Circle II are: Seated: Ramona Weishaar, Alma Hauffe, Lila Kraemer, Lila Rau, 
Olivia Kaul, Lorraine Fauth, Otillia Maier, Louise Reimer, Alma Koerner, Gertrud 
Becker. Standing: Ruth Hoffman, Violet Hoffman, Laura Schumacher, Elenora 
Hoffman, Bernadine Rau, Adeline Ehley, Olivia Schaible, Olive Lapka, Vivian 
Mack, Vivian Kulm, Lizzie Hoffman, Leone Hoffman, Lorine Neuharth, Leone Kulm, 
Viola Feickert. Not pictured: Maggie Bendewald, Edith Rath, Betty Heibel, Biruta 
Zvejneiks, Violet Schaffer, Lillian Kindelspire, Della Guthmiller, Wilma 
Hilgemann.

	Circle I repaired and refinished about 50 old chairs, and Circle II 
purchased kindergarten tables and chairs. On special occasions both groups 
provide altar flowers.

	The two groups served their first annual community dinner on October 24, 
1953, netting $380.03 for the building fund, to which they generously contribute 
whenever they can. Choir gowns were purchased jointly, as was Martin Haase's 
first gown for his work in the ministry. In 1954 the ladies painted the basement 
and the sacristy.

	In 1955 Circle I added Bible study to its agenda, learning about women in 
the Scriptures. Under the guidance of Pastor Schmierer, Bible study and general 
devotional services became an integral part of the program of both groups. A 
refrigerator, a stove, small kitchen appliances, more silver and dishes, and 
folding chairs have been bought through the years.

	So that invalid or ill members might hear church services, the ladies 
helped to buy a tape recorder. For the church grounds, Circle II, together with 
the church council, purchased trees and shrubs which the men helped to plant. 
The ladies also provided wire and winter covers to protect the plants. A film 
and slide projector and the announcement board in front of the church were other 
Circle II projects.

	To help finance their efforts to keep their church home at its best, the 
groups hold food and fancy work sales and annual suppers and serve for church 
rallies and conventions as well as weddings. Circle II enjoyed both the 
financial returns and fun of such activities as a white elephant sale, serving 
at auction sales, parcel post package auction and pot luck supper, round robin 
food baskets, and aprons for pennies. Sale of Christmas and Scripture greeting 
cards, napkins, and place mats have also become annual projects.

	Pictured at the Julius Hoeft home in 1933 are Circle I members: Emelia 
Hoeft, Hannah Hoeft, Bertha Potratz, Bertha Pade, Wanda Hauife, Minnie Fischer, 
Minnie Glaser, Margaretha Reinecke, Emma Kruger, Katherina Kettner, Martha 
Joireman, Johanna Guthmiller.

	Present officers of Circle I, which numbers 35 members, are Elma Heibel, 
president; Louise Reimer, vice-president; Hilda Guthmiller, secretary; and Lily 
Walth, treasurer.

	Circle II, which affiliated with the Womens' Missionary Federation in 
1957, is now known as the American Lutheran Church Women. With 33 active members 
at present, officers of this group are Lila Kraemer, chairman; Alma Hauffe, 
vicechairman; Bernadine Rau, secretary; and Ruth Hoffman, treasurer.

	Busy in the church kitchen are Maggie Bendewald, Christina Wolff, Rose 
Jasmer, Hilda Guthmiller, Rose Jundt, and Christine Steiger. The kitchen doubles 
as a Sunday school room.

	Mrs. Lena Glasemann, nee Glaser, is remembered by many as their beloved 
Sunday school teacher, for she served in that capacity at St. James for 45 
years. Very active in all phases of church work, including Circle I, she lives 
on in the hearts of those whose lives she enriched by her Christian love, 
understanding, and fellowship.


	Brotherhood members are: Front row: Albert Feickert, John Bendewald, Erwin 
Kempf, Gottfried Walth, Ray Neuharth, Albert Breitag. Second row: Arthur 
Breitag, Ernest Jasmer, Dr. Karlis Zvejnieks, Gottlieb Gienger. Third row: Erwin 
Rau, Albert Heyd, Henry Schumacher, Leonhart Gienger, Pastor Reimer. Fourth row: 
Jake Fauth, Frank Lapka, Carl Wahl, Emil Hoffman, Jake Jakober, John Fauth. 
Fifth row: Elmer Hoffman, Christ Jakober, Gerhardt Breitag, Adam Ehley, Adolph 
Schaible. Back row: Reinhold Hoffman, Jack Kulm, Andrew Kraemer, Milbert 
Koerner. Not pictured: Tom Heibel.

	Brotherhood Plants, Harvests God's Acre

	With 21 men as its charter members, the Brotherhood of the St. James 
Lutheran Church was organized on April 14, 1955, under the leader-ship of Pastor 
John Schmierer. Meeting on the second Thursday of each month, the local chapter 
engages in a variety of activities and projects, such as furnishing 
transportation for vacation Bible camp groups, supporting various benevo-lences, 
and participating in all church -sponsored activities.

	One of the favorite projects of all the members is illustrated by the 
accompanying pictures. Every spring the entire membership plants God's acre-
God's acre in this case consisting of 100 acres which are usually seeded in one 
day. Proceeds from this crop are used for making generous con-tributions to many 
funds, among which are the building funds of our church and parsonage.

	The first crop, planted by 17 members with tractors and the necessary 
plows and drills on April 23, and harvested on Labor Day, 1956, netted the 
Brotherhood a $ 1,000.00 profit. Part of this helped pay for the church's new 
Hammond organ. Albert C. Heyd, Adolph Schaible, and Albert C. Breitag, the 
original committee for the God's acre project, found and leased the SW 1/4-10-
125-68 from Fred Weishaar. Organization officers at the time were Ernest Jasmer, 
president; Gottfried Walth, vice president; Adam Ehley, secretary; L. E. 
Balliet, treasurer; and Walter Glaseman, chaplain.

	Group which planted first Brotherhood crop.

	This year, as in the past, members not able to furnish tractors or 
implements help where they can and provide hearty lunches for their co-laborers. 
All members look forward to the fellowship enjoyed in working and visiting 
together on seeding day and harvesting day.

	The Brotherhood's first officers were Enoch Schaffer, president; Albert 
Breitag, vice-presi-dent; Jacob J. Becker, secretary; John Fauth, treasurer; and 
Andrew Kraemer, chaplain. Present officers are Gottlieb Gienger, president; John 
Fauth, vice-president; Adolph Schaible, secretary; Albert Heyd, treasurer; and 
Ervin Kempf, chaplain.

	All in a row, ready to go.

	Luther Leaguers Enjoy Social Events, Projects

	Facts about early church youth organizations are missing, except that 
records mention that in 1914, under the leadership of the Young People's 
Society, a balcony was added to the church.

	Front row: Randall Fauth, Idella Feickert, Leta Ehley, Carrold Kraemer, 
Wilton Hoffman, Sharon Mohr, Carol Gehring, Leslie Fauth, Imogene Smolnisky, 
Georgia Muhlbeier, Carol Schaible and Charles Jakober. Middle row: Carmel 
Turnwall, Gary Hoffman, Myron Fauth, Milo Hoffman, Dorothy Neuharth, Steve 
Becker, Curtis Schell, Barbara Maier, Carol Hilgemann and Stanley Hoffman. Back 
row: Sharon Ehley, Dianne Hoffman, Richard Jasmer, Donald Hoffman, Larry 
Hoffman, Richard Reimer, Carrold Kempf and Lawrence Hoffman. Not pictured: Jacob 
Jundt, Shirley Kaaz, Myrna Morrill, Margaret Jundt, LaRue Vilhauer, Allen Kaaz, 
Susan Kolb, Lester Weishaar.

	The present Luther League, organized on October 19, 1943, under the 
direction of Pastor Haase, now has about 35 members. The first officers were 
Herman Haase, president; Agnes Jundt, secretary; and Herbert Haase, treasurer.

	Meetings, held the first Wednesday of each month, feature topics prepared 
by members, who take turns giving these talks. League projects include mending 
books and hymnals, conducting sunrise services on Easter Sunday and one service 
during the pastor's vacation, writing to servicemen, sending members to training 
camp, and acting as church ushers. Leaguers maintain a well-stocked library of 
Christian literature for use of the congregation and also provide and care for 
the tracts in the rack in the entry of the church.

	The young people enjoy and participate in league sponsored basketball 
tournaments, roller-skating parties, picnics, and hayrides. Various methods, 
such as "slave week," during which members "sold" themselves and their services 
for various jobs around the community to high bidders for their labor, have been 
used to earn money to support activities.

	Present League officers are: Randall Fauth, president; Leta Ehley, vice-
president; Idella Feickert, secretary; and Carrold Kraemer, treasurer. The 
pastor acts as adviser for the group.

	Junior Lutherans Study Their Church 

	Now known as the Junior Lutherans, the Junior Mission Band, organized in 
August, 1958, with about 50 members, is sponsored by the Women of the Church, 
who provide leaders and teachers. The first chairman was Mrs. Erwin Kaul, with 
Leona Kulm, Elma Heibel, Alma Koerner, Lila Kraemer, Sharon Ehley, Tillie Maier, 
Dianne Hoffman, Marcella Hoffman, Lila Rau, and Beverly Schilling as the first 
teachers. Officers of the original group were Larry Hoffman, president; Barbara 
Maier, vice-president; Dorothy Neuharth, secretary; and Leland Feickert, 
treasurer.

	The pre-school class consists of children up to six years of age. Primary 
class members are first through third graders, and children in grades five 
through eight attend the junior class. Mrs. Albert Feickert served as chairman 
from 1959 to 1961. Mrs. Oscar Maier is now chairman, assisted by Lorine 
Neuharth, Leona Kulm Lorraine Fauth, Alma Harnmrich, and Leta Ehley as teachers. 
Present enrollment is 56. Officers are Allen Guthmiller, president; Jennette 
Bendewald, vice-president; Mary Spitzer, secretary; and Gerald Kaul, treasurer.

	Materials such as workbooks, films and maps for each year are provided by 
the sponsoring group. While past projects have included study of various mission 
fields, this year's topic was "The Story of My Church."
 
	Junior Lutherans are identified an their Sunday school pictures.

	Education of Youth Is Basic Church Function 

	Parish education activities besides those mentioned elsewhere include 
yearly vacation Bible school, usually lasting eight days; Saturday school for 
grades four to confirmation; released time classes for second and third graders 
on Wednesday afternoons; and adult Bible classes, which meet on alternate Monday 
nights under the guidance of Pastor Reimer.

	With enrollment at 150, the Sunday school, under the direction of 
superintendent Albert Feickert and his staff, meets Sundays after services. The 
six age groups are divided into 14 classes. Highlights each year are the 
Christmas program and the family picnic.

	Kindergarten tots listen attentively as teacher Dianne Hoffman tells them 
a Bible story.

	Intermediate Group Is Smallest in Number


	Fifth and Sixth Grades: Front row: Valerie Morill, Linda Schill, Sharon 
Hoffman, Edith Hoffman, Bonnie Treftz. Middle row: Charles Glaesman, Terry 
Morrill, Willard Jundt, Allen Guthmiller, Jimmy Reimer, Jerry Kaul, David Rath, 
Leland Feickert. Back row: Pamela Rau, Sheilah Smolnisky, Mary Spitzer, Susan 
Turnwall, Jeannette Bendewald. Not pictured: Geraldine Glaesman, Milo Hochalter.

	Youngsters from Kingergarten Through Second Grate Form Largest Group 

	Kindergarten, First and Second Grades: Front row: Diana Ketterling, Debra 
Ketterling, Charlotte Hoffman, Debra Blumhardt, Marsha Hoffman, Brenda Wolff, 
Tammy Zvejnieks, Donna Weisz, Robin Rau, Sandra Hoffman, Cheryl Treftz. Second 
row: Peter Weisser, Neil Dockter, Dwight Neuharth, Wanita Hoffman, Michael Kulm, 
Patty Kulm, Jerry Jasmer, David Hoffman, Duane Pudwill, Lloyd Breitag, Jeffrey 
Kulm, Marcia Hoffman, Quintin Ehley, Wanda Hoffman, James Hoffman, Richard 
Wolff, Colin Schaffer, Randy Harnmrich, Craig Blumhardt. Third row: Mark Rath, 
Leland Rau, Rodney Hoffman, Brian Breitag, Susan Glaesman, Inese Zvejnieks, 
Jacqueline Dockter, Darcey Rudolph, Bob Jakober, Rhondi Heibel, Fritz Onken, 
Myra Kaaz. Back row: Randy Becker, Stuart Neuharth, LaDean Hoffman, Larry 
Pudwill, Donald Pudwill, Amy Neuharth, Betty Kranzler, Tarrill Heibel, Evelyn 
Hoffman, Suzanne Weisser, Judy Rath, Mary Kulm. Not pictured: Dale Schilling, 
Noella Hochalter, Wanda Jakober, Jerome Heyd.

	Third and Fourth Grades, or Juniors, Form Four Classes 

	Front row: Karen Rau, Kathy Hoffman, Karyl Schmidt, Joann Guthmiller, Beth 
Rath, Marilyn Hoffman, Patricia Hoffman, Violet Schill, Sandra Treftz, Karyn 
Schmidt, Ollie Weisser, Shelia Rudolph, Karen Schaible. Middle row: Randall Rau, 
Wayne Morill, Rodney Mohr, Keenan Stoecker, Lilita Zvejnieks, Shirley Lechner, 
Joyce Rau, Darell Rudolph, Jerome Muhlbeier, David Kulm, Terry Hoffman, Wayne 
Breitag. Back row: Arlen Gehring, Lynn Koerner, William Hoffman, Douglas 
Breitag, Elmer Smolnisky, Kevin Lapka, Sigurd Zvejnieks, Terry Becker. Not 
pictured: Julie Hilgemann, Norma Kaaz.

	Teens and Seventh and Eighth Graders, or Seniors, Are Advanced Group

	Front row: Shirley Rohrbach, Janice Hoffman, Barbara Muhlbeier, Ruth 
Neuharth, Brenda Maier, Sheila Kranzler, Mary Guthmiller, Eunice Jakober. Middle 
row: Jerry Jundt, Earl Rudolph, Milo Mohr, Kenneth Hoffman, Idella Feickert, 
Carol Schaible, Carol Hilgemann, Myrna Morill, Margaret Jundt, Carol Gehring, 
Sharon Mohr, Georgia Muhlbeier, Jacob Jundt, Lawrence Hoffman. Back row: Keith 
Hoffman, Harvey Lechner, Stanley Hoffman, Wayne Hoffman, Richard Jasmer, Ronald 
Kaaz, Larry Hoffman, Leslie Fauth, Richard Reimer, Robert Kaul, Duane Fauth. Not 
pictured: Marjorie Schell, Barbara Maier, Dorothy Neuharth, Imogene Smolnisky.

	Adults and Teenagers Unite in Education Work of Church

	Teachers and Education Committee members are: Seated: Louise Reimer, 
Vivian Kulm, Lila Kraemer, Olivia Kaul, Alma Harnmrich, Mildred Turnwall, Alice 
Wolff, Elma Heibel, Lorine Neuharth, Leone Kulm, Tillie Maier, Carol Schaible. 
Standing: Pastor Reimer, Violet Hoffman, Carmel Turnwall, Sharon Ehley, Lorraine 
Fauth, Delores Hoffman, Arthur Fauth, Dianne Hoffman, Irvin Kulm, Leta Ehley, 
Milbert Koerner, Alma Koerner, Andrew Kraemer, Viola Feickert, Eldora Weisser, 
Gottlieb Gienger, Albert Feickert.

	Members of the anniversary planning committee selected by the church 
council, and their assignments, are: Rose Jasmer, food; Lorraine Fauth, 
publication; Pastor Reimer, general adviser; Gerhardt Breitag, history; Dianne 
Hoffman, youth; Arthur Fauth, secretary; Elma Heibel, treasurer and food; Dan 
Hoffman, confirmands; Gertrud Becker, publication; Viola Feickert, confirmands; 
Adam Ehley, chairman and history.

	Though this history of the Leola parish can be only a skeleton for the 
deeper spiritual and personal aspects of the experiences it outlines, we hope 
that it serves not only as a memorial to those who did so much to found and 
prosper our church home, but also as an inspiration for rededication of faith 
and effort by present-day members. For the many letters and words of 
encouragement, the help in securing material, and the monetary donations, the 
committee expresses its sincere thanks. To Rose Kaul for her assistance in 
setting up the book and Violet Hoffman for typing goes our deep appreciation.

	As they leave their church after services, members linger to visit with 
friends and neighbors.