Early History of St. Paul Lutheran Church (German Lutheran Church):  1851-2002
 

Richland Co., Ohio

 
 

Church Records

 
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Early History of St. Paul Lutheran Church (German Lutheran Church):  1851-2002

Sources:  This information has been compiled from various sources, including LUTHERANISM IN RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO - BICENTENNIAL PUBLICATION, 1776-1976 - MANSFIELD NEWS JOURNAL - CHURCH RECORDS

 
 
 

Submitted by Marilyn

 

1851 Rev. Joachim Schlandermundt came to serve the German Lutherans and the Reformed.  He remained until 1855
March 5, 1852 A constitution of 26 articles organized The Evangelical Lutheran and High German Reformed Church of Mansfield, Ohio.  This constitution was signed by the heads of 86 familiets.  Women did not have a voice in Church affairs until after 1920 when they were allwed to vote then the church started to change.
1856-1857 Rev. H.F. Belser
1858 Rev. Christian Sapper
1859-1862 Rev. H. Hess
1860 First Church building at 88 W. Third St. corner of Weldon and W. Third   (known as  the little red brick church)
Mar. 1, 1861 Church incorporated as The Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed St. Paul's Church.
1862    Rev. F.H. Herzberger Sr.
1863 Rev. F.H. Herzberger Jr.
April-June 1863 Rev. J.C. Schulze
Oct. 1, 1863 to April 1867 Rev. Herman A. Schmidt.  changes name to The St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.  We do not know what happened to the reformed interest.  
June 1867 to Nov. 1869 Rev. Conrad Kuehn.    The first church was built on the second lot west of Weldon in 1869 the church purchased the first lot west of Weldon and the lot directly behind it on the northwest corner of Dickson and Weldon.  there was a house on that lot it became the first parsonage.  Later it was the janitor's residence.
1869-1873 Rev. G.H. Trebel
1873-1890 Rev. Ludwig Krebs (pastorate of 17 yrs)
March 18, 1888 Church catches on fire.  Put out in time to save building . Remodeling takes place.
1890-1891 Rev. Ludwig Leemhuis
1891-1897 Rev. Richard R.F. Boethelt
1897-1903 Rev. George U. Preuss
April 10, 1898 Easter, last service  held in "Little red brick church"  Church torn down to make way for new and modern church.  In just 364 days the old church was torn down and the new one built.
April 9, 1899 New church dedicated and services held in new church.  The church was totally complete because the next week there was a church convention held there.  The members of St. Paul worshipped in the YMCA for that year when the new church was being built.
1903  The question of doing every other Sunday morning worship in English came up.  Council voted to keep all Sunday morning services in German.  The English speaking Lutherans didn't like this decision and a number of them withdrew to begin St. Matthews Lutheran church.
1903    Rev. J.P. Hertz
1903-1907 Rev. A.B. Markley
1907-1913 Rev. J.S. Herold
Nov.1, 1908 Mortgage burned.
Spring 1910 Brick house at 94 W. Third St. bought for a parsonage.   Old parsonage on corner of Dickson and Weldon bocomes Janitor's home.
1914-1916 Rev. Louis H. Ziemer; dispute over Lutheran doctrine,  Rev. Ziemer leaves church with a number of members and starts Grace Gospel Tabernacle later becomes Mission Alliance
1916-1919 Rev. E.J.E. Kuhlmann
1919-1923 Rev. F.W. Rohlfing, D.D.
1924-1929 Rev. Herbert A. Bosch
1929-1932 Rev. E.F.C. Stahl   In 1931, a new constitution was written and from that time forward only English would be used for the services.
1932-1947 Rev. Herman L. Gilbert
1942-1947  During WWII, 88 members served in armed forces.
1947-1953 Rev. John G. Gensel
1952 Celebrated 100th anniversary
1958 Land purchased at 2010 Park Ave. West. Mr. and Mrs. E. Quinn
1954-1965 Rev. John R. Long
1959 Fund drive begins
July 2, 1961 Ground broken for new church building
Jne 3, 1962 Dedication of first church unit on Park Av. W.
1965-1982 Rev. Robert Barr
1983-1991 Rev. Ronald E, Daley
1992-1993 Rev. Edward Brandt
1993-1996 Rev. William Matlack
1997-1998 Rev. Phil Kuntra
1998 to present Rev. Jerry Rhea
1999 Car rams church building
March 17, 2002 Church celebrates 150th anniversary with Bishop Marcus Miller of Northeastern Ohio Synod as guest speaker and a luncheon served immediate after service. 

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