Lucas Lutherans Celebrate Church Cornerstone Laying
 

Richland Co., Ohio

 
 

Church Records

 
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Lucas Lutherans Celebrate Church Cornerstone Laying

Source:  MANSFIELD NEWS:  03 October 1932, p. 4

 
 
 

Submitted by Jean

 

Mansfield Pastor Gives Principal Address At Homecoming And Harvest Home Festival

Commemorating the pioneer work of early Lutherans in the vicinity, members of the St. Paul's Lutheran church at Lucas met Sunday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the present church edifice.  Many former members and friends gathered to participate in this event and homecoming and the harvest home festival.  The Pleasant Valley Lutheran congregation also joined in the services for the day.

The morning service was given over to the observance of the harvest home festival.  The pastor, Rev. Herman L. Gilbert, preached the sermon on the them [sic], "Hunger."  More than 300 cans of fruit and vegetables in addition to a large quantity of raw foodstuff were arranged about the pulpit and altar furniture in a decorative manner.

Following the basket dinner at noon in the church parlors, the congregation reassembled in the auditorium for the homecoming and 60th anniversary program, Rev. W. F. Barnett, a former pastor of the congregation, had charge of the devotional service.  Rev. Dr. H. S. Garnes, pastor of the St. Luke's Lutheran church Mansfield and president of the Central conference, Synod, of Ohio, delivered the main address.

A recently-prepared history of the congregation was presented by Rev. Gilbert.  This indicated that the congregation was first organized May 16, 1846 with 31 members.  The first officers elected were David Leiter, elder; Jacob and John Crone, deacons.  Some of the early members were David Balliet, Samuel Barr, Samuel Henry and David Henry.  The present house of worship was begun in 1872, during the pastorate of Rev. T. F. Dornblaser, the cornerstone being laid Oct. 26 of the same year.

Mrs. Elvira Hackett and Mrs. Ida Leiter are the two oldest members in point of membership years, Mrs. Hackett having affiliated with St. Paul's church in 1866 and Mrs. Leiter being admitted into fellowship about five years later.

Seven of the 20 pastors who have served this parish during the 60-year period are still living, the oldest one being Rev. T. F. Dornblaser, pastor 1872-74.  The others are: Rev. F. B Heibert, 1889-91, Caledonia, O.; Rev. P. L. Miller, 1901-05, Point Pleasant, W. Va.; Rev. Dr. A. M. Himes, 1918-25, Cambridge, O.; Rev. John M. Warnes, student supply, four months, 1931, Springfield, O., and Rev. Herman L. Gilbert, pastor since Nov. 1, 1931.

Mrs. Mary Rummel, invitation committee chairman, presented greetings and congratulations from former pastors and friends.  Rev. Barnett, the only former pastor present, along with former members and friends, responded to the call for remarks.

Miss Mary Cochel, a daughter of a former pastor, Rev. G. Z. Cochel, is a member of St. Paul's congregation.


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