Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-24

lions Lutheran church, of the South
Side, will soon be fifty years old. and
the members of the congregation are
arranging to appropriately observe the
occasion. Following is a brief his
torical sketch of the church:
The church was organized in May 10,
1850, under the pastoral care OF Rev.
Zimmerman. About twenty families
held their first service in Otis hall,
at Market and Twelfth streets. The
first church committee was composed
Of Thomas Kern, John Wuest, VIM.
Wagner, Christian Hagedorn, Carl
Schwertfeger, Ernest Beoehr, Michael
Hoffman, Frederick Hoffman, Chris
tian Schmulbacher, Frederick Wurster,
John Kettler and Henry Hartman.
This committee was appointed to out
line the future plans of the church. 1t
is said that the first melodeon that
was brought to this city was used in
this hall.
In July, 1851, the congregation pur-
chased a lot for a new building at the
corner of Chapline and Twentieth
streets. On finding that the bids were
rather steep for a new house of wor-
ship, they abandoned the idea of max
ing the improvement. Later they
bought the English Congregationalist
church building at the corner of Mar
ket street and alley IS. The price paid
for the building was $1,000, together
with the lot they had previously pur-
chased.
Rev. Zimmerman resigned as pastor
of the church in 1858, and was sue
ceeded by Rev. Berkemeier, of Pitts
burg. Under the latter minister's
charge the membership Of the church
increased largely and sufficient funds
were raised to build a new parsonage
and buy a cemetery On CaldwelPs run.
At this time a parochial school was
started with a membership of about
one hundred children. Mr.. Carl Mann
was teacher and organist of the insti-
tuition.
In the year 1862, after the congrega-
ton had paid Off a considerable amount
of the church debt and their prospects
seemed bright for future prosperity,
the church building was destroyed by
a cyclone. In the building at the time
of the storm were a number of chill
dren who were attending school, and,
according to the records, three were
killed and others wounded.
The next day the congregation de-
cided to erect a new building on the
same site and later received aid from
congregations of the Lutheran Synod
and also the city. In 1867 Rev. Berke-
meir left for New York and Rev. F. c..
H. Tampa was elected as his success
sor. During his p~astorate an attempt
was made to introduce the English
language at the evening services.
However the attempt proved unsuccess-
full and since then only German SER
vices have been in the church. Rev.
Tampa remained here until June, 1873,
and was succeeded by Rev. T. P. May
ser, of Stantsburg, Pa. After a stay
of eleven months he accepted a call
to a very large congregation at Lam
caster, Pa In June, 1874, the congre-
cation elected Rev. Otto Meerwein, of
Philadelphia, Pa, as pastor, who work
ed very successfully for over ten years
in the church. 1t was during his pas
torate that the congregation bought
the present parsonage on Chapline
street. In 1885 Rev. Paul Ziegelmeyer,
of Germany, was called. While he was
pastor the church enjoyed a period of
prosperity. In 1887 a steeple was add
ed to the building and the Indebtedness
of the church was liquidated. The lat
ter minister remained here until Sep
tember, 1898, when he returned to his
old home in Europe. Afterwards Rev.
r. j. Hob, the present pastor, accept
ed a call from the congregation. To
him it may be said is due in a large
measur the present flourishing condi-
ton of the church. During the past
several years the membership has
greatly increased and Improvements on
a more or less extensive scale have
been made in the various departments.
The church is now practically out Of
debt and its prospects for the future
are exceedingly bright.
The organization in connection with
the church are the Beneficial Society,
Ladies Aid Society, Young Mems So
ciety, Mission League and Young
Ladies Society. The Sunday school Of
the church has a large membership at
present and the choir is composed of
some Of the most talented vocalists in
the city.
The jubilee committee, which was re-
Gently appointed by the congregation,
is making elaborate arrangements to
observe the semi-centennial anniyer-
sary of the church in May Of the COM
ing year. The auditorium Of the ediice
is to be fitted u with thirteen memoir
ial windows for the occasion, as here
tofore mentioned.