Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-07-01
IS Able TO SUPPORT ITSELF
st. Stephens Advanced From a
Mission 10 a Church.
THE CHANGE EFFECTED RECENTLY
Excellent Condition of the Eng
lish Lutherans.
The Mioisterium Of PennEyIvanin, Upon
Which the Congregation Bad Depended
far Aid, Notified That the Continuance of
ats Assistance rs Not Necessary.
Communicated.

Communicated.
There have been three distinct and
separate movements OF Lutheranism in
this city.
The first ons takes us back to the
beginning days of this settlement. The
Swedes who landed on our shores were
Lutheraps. Their first place of worship
was in Fort Christina, which stood
not far removed from the present Old
Swedes. Crane Hook Church, which
spot was marked by the Historical
Society several months ago, was their
second church home. Old Swedes, now
an Episcopal Church, was the third
and last Swedish Lutheran Church
In this city.
The second Lutheran movement, be-
gan in the year 1s4s. In that year
Ziun'a German Lutheran Church was
organized. This movement, not like
the former, is still in existence. The
German Lutheran Church is TO-DAY in
q f1ourishing condition. The congre-
cation will build, on the corner of
Sixth and jackson streets, costly
church edifice.
The third movement of Lutheranism
began with the closing days of the year
1855. At that time the Rev. William
A. Sadtler came to this city to en-
deavor to effect the organization of an
English Lutheran Church. The be-
ginning of ST. Stephens Church was
rather insignificant. None but the
most ssnguine would have thought that
after eight years that feeble beginning
would be self-supporting congre.
cation. Mr.. Sadtler, after having can
vassed the field, was able to organize a
Sunday school, which met in one of
the upper rooms of the Wilmington
Institute Building. There, likewise,
st. Stephens congregation came into
existence. The congregation was
organized on December 7th, 1883. The
membership OF the congregation was
but II. The first officers we're Jacob
A. Ringwalt, Henry F. Robeen and
Edwin B. Sadtler For a time the
congregation worshipped in Fletcher
Hall, No. 604 Market street. The
members soon felt the need of per-
manent house of worship. The result
OF this feeling was the purchase of an
unoccupied church building on Tatnal
street above Seventh. This was quite
an undertaking for the young and
feeble congregation. At the time,
when the church was formally con.
Hecrated to divine service, April 7th,
1889, Just four months after the con.
gregation was organized, the member
ship consisted of 81 persons. st.
Stephens has had three pastors. Mr..
Sadtler's pastorate came to a closl
September 2Sth, 1890 He resigned tC
enter upon the educational work of thu
Gturch. The second pastor, the Rev
Lewis j. BicKel, was hero from Novem
her 9th, 1890, till April 10th, 1895
The present pastor, the Rev. Frederic
Doerr. has been pastor Of St. Stephen
about two years. The present officer
are: Trustees. Levi A. Bertoette
Jacob Butz. Andrew Hitler, James b
Oberly and Edwin B. Sadtler; Deacons
Samuel j. Baer. j. p. Jacobs, Charlie
Il. McCaig, Peter Oyercleer, Sr.
Henry F. Robelen and DIR. George A
q membership of little over 20O. Tb
congregation has not only grown il
membership, but materially also. j
the beginning days the greater part @
the PASTORS salary was paid b
the Ministerium of Pennsylvania ST
Stephens has been mission of th
Pennsylvania Ministerium for eigh
years. At this years meeting of th
Synod, which was held in Lancaster
little over a week ago. it was formal
announced that st. Stephens felt th
time had come to relieve the Synod {
further assistance. This dispositio
on the part of st. Stephens congrt
cation was commended by the mit
siUnary superintendent in his annui
report. The interior of st. Stephen
during the past year, has been change
considerably. Persons who have nc
seen it since 1t became a Luthera
home of worship would not recoguil
it to be the same place. 1t is 1
churchly an interior as there is in tn
city. few months ago 81, 81
pipe organ was consecrated. With ii
present membership and equipmen
ST. Stephens Church promises to
even more successful than st. Stephen
Mission was.