1878-First meetings held in Siebelt Goldenstein's home.
1879-First written records show a baptismal service on May 4.
1881-Cemetary association organized.
1882-Congregation formally organized Constitution drawn up Property for church and parsonage donated by Harm Davis First church built.
1883-First resident pastor called First parsonage built.
1898-Ladies Aid Society organized, New church building erected
1930-English language introduced, West side addition to church built
1942-Work of the church continues despite Hastings Naval Ammunition Depot, cutting territory in half.
1948-Seventieth Anniversary Year, Collection reach all time high of $8,000. Fifty year old organ replaced with new organ. History of church Written in book form. Electric light and power plant installed.
1953-Seventy fifth anniversary year. Envelope system introduced, Lutheran brotherhood organized. Memorial windows installed.
1955-St. Paul's of Glenvil and Immanuel near Hastings form one parish. New parsonage constructed, dedicated May 6, 1956. 1960-Ground-breaking for present church, July 31
Cornerstone laid for present church Sept.25. 1961-First worship service in new church, March 12. Present church dedicated, April 9.
1964-Ladies first exercise voting privileges at annual meeting in January. Church indebtedness retired at a special service on April 12.
1968-Ninetieth anniversary Special Congregational dinner for all living members over 70.
1972-Outside bulletin board and cross placed.
1975-Colored glass windows installed. Eight sons of the congregation have answered God's call to the ministry.
God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm. Ye fearful saints fresh courage take, the clouds ye so much dread, Are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.
These words of the song writer came to mind as we were scanning the written and unwritten records of St. Paul's Lutheran Church west of Glenvil, Nebraska. One hundred years ago faint beginnings were made of what is today an essential part of the religious life in the country southeast of Hastings. Located in the open country, it is meant to serve the rural people, the same people by and for whom it was started so long ago, and, it may be recorded, without any modern home missions assistance. It was, in those early days, a self-sustaining mission church.
The earliest unwritten history of the congregation goes back to 1878, when the late Henry Stamer recalled how every other Sunday, Henry, Sr. gathered up his family and went to church, for a time in Siebalt Goldenstein's home which was located east of the present church and later to a rural school house, now gone but was located about two miles north of the present church.
It was the established practice of the good people in this region to attend these services. These were the first Lutheran services conducted by Lutheran preachers, as far as our information goes. How long before the Stamer family's arrival traveling preachers and Pastor Henry Sickman of Hastings did supply incoming pioneers with Word and Sacrament escapes our information. But, it may safely be assumed that when this sturdy Pastor Sickman had established, in 1878, First St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Hastings, located at 5th and Burlington, he immediately proceeded to branch out to serve Lutheran immigrants wherever they could
be found within traveling distance of his home in Hastings. Our St. Paul's Church is known as the oldest of the rural churches in the Hastings region. To this place they came from Inland, a town older than Hastings, from Pauline, and all the country in between, not to speak of those in and around the town of Glenvil, then a newly established railroad station.
No doubt, it was a loosely woven structure of church fellowship that existed in those early years. The organization amounted to nothing more than a treasurer who would handle the collections for the payment of the preachers as they made their more or less irregular calls in this territory and then moved on. As for Pastor Sickman, there was a general agreement for services on every other Sunday, weather permitting. He would be met at home with a lumber wagon, provided with the latest gadget for comfortable riding, a spring seat, shortly after noon, and conveyed to the respective place of worship, either a home or the school house mentioned before. After the service there was lunch for him, and another member took him back, usually about nightfall. This went on for several years.
The first written records of the activities of the young congregation refers to a baptismal service. It was on May 4, 1879. Here are the names of the first children, baptized by Pastor Sickman: Harm Harms Ideus; Anna H. L. Heye; Manne Kempen Peters; and George D. Stroemer. These were the first in a long line of children who in the course of these years were received into the fellowship of the children of God by the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
Though regular minutes of what was going on were not kept until a constitution had been adopted and the building of a place of worship decided upon, the records of the cemetery association give us a glimpse of how this group of Lutherans though without a church building at the time, went by the name of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. According to their minutes, the cemetery association, early in 1881, was organized and incorporated "by members of St. Paul's Lutheran Congregation". All these happenings indicated how our church did not come into existance all at once as a fullgrown adult, but went through the stages of childhood as a mission by and for pioneers of the prairie of central Nebraska. The original site of the cemetery was donated by Siebelt Goldenstein.
As has been shown the congregation's earliest positively known beginnings reach into the year of 1878. By 1882 the time was ripe for a more solid organization. This was accomplished on February 3, 1882, According to the title page in the first record book. For May 27, the first meeting is recorded. The immediate need for a more perfect organization was the desire to have a church building. The congregation had acquired a piece of land which had been donated by Harm Davis. Next thing was to draw up a constitution. This was, what we may call a liberal document. Pastor Sickman had helped. It stated, "We recognize the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament and accept its interpretation as found in the symbolical books of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, which are the Augsburg Confession, Luther's Catechism, and the Heidelberg Catechism, in as far as they agree with each other. We consider denominational differences as unimportant in regard to man's salvation, and leave those matters to be decided by every one for himself according to his own conscience. The place of women in the church was not overlooked in this constitution. They should be seen but not heard. Women whose husbands did not belong to the church could become members, but had no right to
take part in congregational meetings. Widows and single women, if it was desired, could be given the right to vote. However, the list of members present at each meeting, as long as such a list was recorded in the Secretary's book, does not show any woman's name at any time. It simply meant that for all practical purposes, this was a man's church. At the same time, provision was made that any confirmed person who had reached the age of 21, could be admitted to voting membership, but none made use of it, that is among the men, before they had entered the blessed estate of matrimony and more or less were on their own. This was the universal practice in all congregations of this nature and background. Those present at the organizational meeting of May 27, 1882, were: J. D. Heye, D. H. Stroemer, G. H. Hinrichs, G. M. Stroemer, S. Goldenstein, H. Stroemer, Anton Classen, H. E. Stroemer, W. 0. Van Boening. As absent were listed: L. Goldenstein, P. Peters, and 0. Theesen. The first officers elected that day were: G. H. Hinrichs, director; J. D. Heye, Secretary; and L. Goldenstein, treasurer. These were the charter members. The next step was the erection of a church. Land for this purpose had been donated by Harm Davis, as mentioned above, namely the southeast corner of his farm, located in the southwest quarter of section 1, township 6, range 9. There was enough land not only for building a church and parsonage, but also for other buildings, garden and pasture. With an annual salary of $300 the minister had to use every possible means to provide the wherewithal for his family. With a garden and pasture for livestock his problems were considerably eased. Henry Stamer, Sr., Henry Stamer, Jr., and Louis Heye were the chief architects of building the place of worship which the people had been wishing for over the years. The total cost amounted to $529.42 and there was a balance left in the fund when all bills had been settled, namely $11.18. A far cry from costs of today.
The ministerial supply seemed to have been for a time somewhat uncertain. Quite a number of pastors' names appear in the records of the treasurer, men who came from distant places, stayed a few days and then went on to their next appointment. Such was the method in those days in churches which had no resident pastor. It was found necessary, to secure a minister of their own, to proceed to build a parsonage. This was done in 1883, immediately followed by extending a call to the Rev. H. Juilfs from the Wisconsin Synod. Things moved along nicely until 1886, when some disagreement led to his resignation. This he tendered on Psalm Sunday, in the midst of the holy season of confirmation and Easter. He then moved to a farm one mile northwest of the church and gave up the ministry. However, that same year he promoted the organization of a new church and became the first charter member of what is today Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenvil. The next pastor was G. F. Stuecklin, called on the very day when Pastor Juilfs resigned. He stayed less than a year, and the congregation went again to Pastor H. Sickman of Hastings to take over. lIe ministered regularly from early in 1887 to 1891. During this time the parsonage was rented to other occupants. Another short-term minister was F. W. Buehler who returned to Germany. Up to this time there had been no separate synod to take care of the German speaking element within the General Midwest Synod, now the United Lutheran Church in America. In 1892, the Midwest Synod had come into existence and to them the congregation turned in securing a new pastor. He came in the person of George Endrulat who stayed until 1898. A year later he died at Home City, Kansas, having been an ailing man for some time. But during his ministry the congregation increased and when Pastor Fr. Gensichen came in 1898, everything was ready for expanding the work. This first church building was no longer large enough to hold the worshippers. Pastor Gensichen was
an outstanding pulpit orator and seemed to have drawn the crowds. So it was resolved to build a new church and work began without delay. Enthusiasm must have run high in those days, for in addition to the cost of a new church it was resolved to purchase a bell and also a new organ. The bell weighed 1,600 pounds and cost $99.00. The price of the organ was $54.00, and it served till 1948, exactly fifty years. The speakers of the day of dedication were Pastor Denning and Professor Neve of the Western Theological Seminary, then at Atchinson, Kansas, and later at Fremont, Nebraska, since 1919. The total cost of the new church came to $2,100.63.
The year of 1898 saw not only the beginning of a new church, but also the organization of a Ladies Aid Society. On September 25 the same year, Mrs. Gensichen organized the women of the church. The names of those who were present for this occasion were: Tina Peters, Gertrude Peters, Anna Heye, Hintje Opperland, Lena Ockinga, Alma Hinrichs,Johanna Stroemer and Hildegard Gensichen. Pastor Gensichen stayed until 1905; when Pastor Carl Goede entered the field. Under him, during 33 years of ministry, much happened, and in 1938 when he retired, it was an entirely different world from what it was in peaceful1905. During these years, the coming of the automobile, better roads, the radio, and above all, the consequences of a world war had made themselves felt. During his pastorate seven young men decided for the Christian ministry. These were Siefke deFreese, Klass deFreese, Herman Goede, William Goede, Carl
Goede, Henry Goede, and Carl Goldenstein. An eighth who went forth into the work of the church is Grant Van Boening, in 1946. Comparing the recorded meetings of the earlier days with those of the present century, a remarkable change can be noted. Sometimes, apart from the routine business of treasurer's report and the election of councilmen, nothing more exciting was put down than, for example, "Resolved, that we get a new bucket and broom for the church". The bucket referred to was for drinking water, kept in the vestibule of the church for thirsty babies and others. Another time, the only resolution passed was, "Resolved, that the manure pile shall be kept at least ten feet from the barn. In the new century the contents of business meetings changed. In 1907 the confessional article in the constitution was changed and the Heidelberg Catechism was eliminated. This must have been no easy task for Pastor Goede. But also the care for the occupants of the parsonage was brought out more than before.
Salary was increased from year to year, in keeping with the advanced cost of living, and the members decided by vote "to furnish the minister annually with at least ten bushels of grain from each farm". That took care of his livestock. By 1917 someone must have been getting a kink in his neck from trying to see the preacher in the high pulpit. It was resolved "to lower the pulpit to a more convenient height for the worshippers to see the preacher". Henry Stamer got the job.
It was the custom for many years for the men to sit on the east or right hand side and the ladies and children to the west or left hand side during services. This was gradually changed through the years until now the practice is all but forgotten. In 1929 the agitation of the use of English seemed to have taken definite form and a petition was circulated. The vote was 22 for some English and 16 against, being short of a two-thirds majority, necessary for changing the constitution. Nevertheless, English began to be used in 1930. In 1934 the constitutional question came up again. Klass R. Hinrichs moved and Henry Westerman seconded it to change the
constitution to the effect, "to introduce English into church and Sunday school as the welfare of the congregation may warrant it". The necessary majority was for it. There was also a building program during this period. In 1929 the Ladies Aid Society asked the congregation to build a basement. The idea found much favor, but was postponed for discussion at the annual meeting in 1930. Here, the men took over. There were several propositions: (1) to build a basement; (2) an addition to the west side; (3) an addition to the north side; (4) a new church, the west side addition advocates won. It cost $984.96. The Ladies Aid gave $250; $300 was borrowed from the bank; the rest was raised by subscription. This part was later purchased by Henry C. Hinrichs, Sr. and used as an addition to the Martin Hinrichs home. The last ten years of Pastor Goede's ministry were difficult years. On the one hand, the advocates of German or English could not always agree; and on the other, the crop failures during the early and middle thirties did not perk the spirits either for enthusiastic church activities. In 1938 he resigned and moved to a farm in the quiet hills of eastern Oklahoma, but the peace of a carefree retirement was not to be his for very long. Only four years later he passed away, having been preceded in death by his wife about a year or so earlier. Their resting place is at Bennington, Nebraska.
The Rev. Hans M. Biedenweg was his successor. A combined farewell and welcoming party marked the change-over, preserved in a group picture of the entire congregation in front of the church. This ministry lasted for three years, when Pastor Biedenweg received a call to the oil-rich country south of Russell, Kansas. From 1942 to the end of 1945 the Rev. R. Moehring was the pastor. A re-arrangement of the English-German schedule for services was made, and also the common service liturgy introduced. As anywhere else where shifts in language had to be made, they were trying times for both pastor and congregation. Pastor Moehring also helped reorganize the church school and an adult Bible class was added.
Early in 1942, shortly after the arrival of Pastor Moehring, a calamity struck the membership of our congregation which, for the moment, seemed to all but wipe it out of existence. The laying of the Hastings Naval Ammunition Depot cut squarely through the middle of the territory served by our congregation. For the fearful ones it seemed to be the end. Some of the most faithful members moved to distant place others found farms more or less near by. Nevertheless, the losses were a shock to the congregational life. But, trusting in God's guidance, the work continued. Crops were good and so were the prices. The members who remained went deeper into their pockets and so the church went marching on.
In 1947, Henry F. Stamer, Sr., after 45 years of service as clerk of St. Paul's Cemetery Association, hands over records to his successor, August Valentine. The seventieth anniversary year of 1948 found St. Paul's congregation growing and active. A celebration was planned to which all the sons and daughters and former pastors of the congregation were invited. For this Herman Janssen was to see that there were plenty of cobs in the basement. Collections that year reached an all time high of around $8,000.00 some of which went for synodical purposes, Lutheran World Action, Friendship Train and food parcels to Germany. Improvements closer to home included and electric light and power plant, modernizing the parsonage, laying sidewalks, rejuvenating the church school equipment and above all replacing the fifty year old organ with a Wurlitzer electric organ.
At a special meeting of March 20, 1949 it was decided to hold the annual meeting of the cemetery committee in conjunction with the annual meeting of the congregation on the first Wednesday of January each year.
At the councilmen's meeting of April 25, 1950, Pastor Schroeder asked about helping the Glenvil Immanuel Lutheran Church with their services every Sunday until they found a pastor for their church. This was approved by our congregation as he had received a letter from the president of their synod stating that he would be welcomed. This was the beginning of pleasant relations with our sister church.
At the annual meeting of 1951 it was decided to use memorial funds for a neon cross to be put on the church steeple. Its light showne across the miles for almost twenty years until the cross was removed when the old church was replaced by the new. That year, a new heating system was installed; an overhead air-condition type in the church assembly and individual gas burners in Sunday School replaced the old coal and wood furnaces and stoves.
In 1952 St. Paul's applied and was accepted for membership to the Midwest Synod. Our constitution was brought up to date using the new proposed Synodical constitution as a model. It was decided to accept the sample model constitution as a whole as the easiest and simplest way to bringing our constitution up to date.
A Lutheran Brotherhood was organized in 1953 by the men of the church and was active for several years before being dispersed. The envelope system was also introduced as a means of collecting at this time and is still used by those members who desire.
This was also the year of St. Paul's 75th anniversary. The church memorial windows were decided upon as a project for this important occasion. Families of the congregation donated towards the windows or to honor their deceased loved ones. The committee for the windows were: August Valentine, Remmer Itzen, Dick Heye, Paul Stromer, Will Kemper, R. K. Hinrichs, and Simon Van Boening. These beautiful windows were later removed and installed in our new church which was built in 1961.
Around this time through the efforts of Pastor Martin C. Schroeder, State Spur 18E, past the church and parsonage became black-top rather than gravel. This made necessary the construction of a new fence for the cemetery.
At the congregational meeting of 1955 a committee was appointed to investigate the possibility of a new parsonage or to remodel the old. Karl Enninga, Paul Stromer, August Valentine and George Bohien were to serve on this committee. Pastor Schroeder, having reached retirement age some time previously, decided to relinquish his services at this time. On Sunday, March 20, 1955 a special congregational meeting was held for the purpose of deciding for St.
Paul's Lutheran and Immanuel Lutheran Church near Hastings to hire one pastor to serve both
congregations. The motion came to a vote and carried, 43 for and 4 against. At a joint council meeting of March 22, 1955 it was decided to write the president of the synod for a pastor who was suitable and willing to serve the newly formed parish with each church paying one half of the salary, one half car expenses and one half of the pension fund. Pastor Paul Moeller just recently out of seminary became pastor of St. Paul's. Thus he along with his wife Shirley and young family became the next occupants of the parsonage as well as pastor for Immanuel near
Hastings.
It was soon decided to go ahead with a new parsonage. Construction began on September 14, 1955. The new parsonage was occupied on November 4, 1955. It was dedicated May 6, 1956 with Pastor J. C. Suter of Hildreth as guest speaker. The old parsonage was moved to Hastings and used as a nursing home for a number of years. It was known as Parkside Nursing Home, 1036 South Lincoln.
In the year of 1959, the members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Glenvil, decided it was necessary to either add a basement to the present church or a new church to accommodate our Sunday church activities. A building committee was appointed. On July 17, 1960, the congregation voted to build a new church at a cost of $52,000.00 with Engel Construction Company as contractors. Ground-breaking services were held on July 31, 1960 with Pastor Martin G. Schroeder, Jr. of Messiah Lutheran Church, Grand Island as guest speaker. Participating in the ceremonies were: Edgar W. Burgett of Hastings, architect, Arnold Engel, Hastings, Clarence E. Stamer, Charles Hunt and Reemt Saathoff, building committee; Rev. Martin Schroeder, speaker, Rev. Paul H. Moeller, present pastor; August Valentine, Wessel Murman and Harold Janssen, members of the building committee.
On September 25, 1960 the corner stone laying was held with Dr. R. Frobenius, Assistant to President of Synod as guest speaker - Documents contained in the cornerstone are a list of baptisms up until 1960, the Lutheran magazine dated September 21, 1960, a copy of Central States Lutheran dated September 1960, Constitution and by-laws of the congregation, seventieth anniversary history book and bulletins of the parsonage dedication, ground-breaking and cornerstone laying. The beautiful altar which was brought here by team and wagon years ago, was moved into our new church and will continue to be used and admired for many years to come.
On March 5, 1961, the last service in the old church was held and moving into the new church began in earnest on Monday, March 6. On Sunday, March 12 the first worship service in the new church was held.
During the night and early in the day a late spring snow storm threatened to force postponement of the day of dedication which was scheduled for April 9, 1961. The storm subsided somewhat and there was a good attendance for all three services making a day of exceeding joy for the Pastor, congregation and friends to give thanks unto the Lord. Dr. Alfred Young, president of the synod spoke ar the morning service, Rev. Martin Schroeder, Sr., of Lincoln spoke at the afternoon service and Rev. Grant Van Boening spoke at the evening service. All services were well attended with Rev. J. A. Bahnsen, Rev. Harold Schmidt of Immanuel of Glenvil; Rev. William Goldbeck, Rev. Martin Schroeder, Jr., Rev. Henry Faucet of Hanover Presbyterian as other guests.
In November of 1963, Pastor Moeller accepted a call to Wisner, Nebraska. During the next few months St. Paul's depended on students from Central Seminary in Fremont as their Sunday speakers. From these young men a call was sent out and accepted by Pastor Robert Shewanick. He served as Pastor from June 14, 1964 until July 31, 1966.
It was at the annual meeting of 1964 when eight ladies decided to attend and exercise voting privileges. Thus, St. Paul's was no longer only a man's church.
A special service was held April 12, 1964, to retire the indebtedness with Rev. Paul Moeller of Wisner as the guest speaker.
Once again St. Paul's was for a time without a regular Pastor. A call was sent out to Rev. J. C. Suter of York, Nebraska. He accepted and preached his first sermon on January 1, 1967. During the next week our new pastor was stricken with a serious heart attack and was unable to resume his duties again until April 16, of that year.
On October 13, 1968 St. Paul's observed her 90th Anniversary by having a congregational dinner for all living members over 70 who lived near enough and were able to attend.
Many other improvements have been made in our Church in recent years. The basement floor was finished and dividers placed for separate Sunday School classes. Glass panels were installed in front of the stained glass windows. The narthex of the church and the back steps were carpeted; a safe was purchased for the preservation of church records. Air-conditioning was installed in the parsonage in 1977. The old chancel carpeting was replaced in 1971. Individual communion glasses were initiated about this time.
In 1972 an outside bulletin board and cross were placed from the Larry Murman memorial fund.
On September 16, 1975 we were saddened by the sudden death of Rev. Suter after surgery in Omaha. A call was sent to Rev. Richard D. Novotne on November 6,1975. This call was answered and he delivered his first sermon and was installed on December 7, 1975.
About this time a canopy was placed in front of the church and the windows were replaced with colored glass. Two of our former pastors have chosen St. Paul's cemetery as their final resting place. They are Pastor Martin Schroeder and Pastor J. C. Suter.
To commemorate this, our Centennial year, several projects have and are being done. The first, the Central District Pastors and Lay meeting was held at St. Paul's on January 17th.
Congregational, family and group pictures were also taken for the Pictorial Directory. Mrs. Suter, our former pastors wife and Mrs. Novotne, our present pastors wife were honored by ladies of the congregation on their birthdays which occurred in December. In February a Congregational birthday party was sponsored by the Lutheran League. Tables were decorated for each month of the year and members of the congregation sat at the table of the month of their birthdays. Skits were performed by the leaguers and songs sung by all. Birthday cake, coffee and tea were served.
On March 15 the L. C. W. had an evening luncheon, to honor Sunday School and church workers. St. Patrick's Day decorations were used with entertainment and ceramic Praying Hands given as favors to each honoree. An old time German service was held on Sunday, April 9th with Pastor Ralph Ritzen, Midland College at Fremont giving the message in German. Ladies of the congregation provided a German Choir. A fellowship hour of German kuchen and coffee followed the service. The Abundant Life Singers from Midland College provided the April 30th service, followed by a congregational pot luck dinner.
On Sunday, May 14th, Pastor Hans M. Biedenweg of Burlington, Washington, who served our congregation from 1938-1941, paid us a visit and delivered the sermon which was enjoyed by young and old.
Our big day is tentatively set for the second Sunday in October. Events planned for that weekend are a Communion service on Saturday evening with Dr. Swanson, Synod president bringing the message. Pastor Grant Van Boening will give the Sunday morning message, followed by a pot luck dinner. In the afternoon a service will be held with Pastor Paul Moeller as guest speaker.
All former pastors and their families, all former members and confirmands are being invited along with all present members.
Several other family nights will be held during the year with slides being shown by members of the congregation. A Centennial plate, with drawings of the three church buildings, designed by Barbara Goldenstein, was made and is available for anyone wishing a souvenir of the Centennial celebration. Christmas cards with the inside of the church with trees and decorations have been ordered and may be sent for Christmas in 1978. A Centennial banner was designed by Mrs. Novotne and one member of each family helped put it together. It is displayed in the front of the church on a stand made by Harold Janssen. Also, money was raised to replace the thirty year old organ with a new $4950 Wurlitzer organ. A new piano for the Sunday School was purchased from David Bohlen memorial funds. Our congregation also pledged $8,174.00 for Strength For Mission, a three year extra mission project in which the Lutheran Churches are involved. Besides our growth and improvements here at home the members of St. Paul's have taken seriously their missionary projects and have always met or surpassed their benevolences.
In addition to the previously mentioned sons of the congregation who answered God's call to the ministry, recognition should be made of six other pastors who have definite relationships with the congregation. They are Pastors Louis deFreese, Kenneth deFreese, Paul deFreese, Theodore Moehring, Martin Schroeder and Daniel Schroeder. Two grandsons of Pastor Carl Goede are also serving in the ministry-Pastors Karl and Paul Koening. In all probability our pioneer forefathers could not have even dreamed what has happened to their humble and devout beginnings in 1878. But no matter how far we have advanced beyond their beginnings, we must not forget that what is here now, is the fruition of their hopes and labors, faith and prayers. To them we owe a great debt of gratitude.
