Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-26
JOHNS GERMAN EvANeEL 1cA1 CHURCH

when completed the building will present a
handsome appearance. The cost of the i'm
provements will be about $1,000, and when
all is finished it is thought the entire
amount will have been subscribed The
seating capacity of the church will be for
about 500 persons
st. Johns Lutheran Church was organized
in 1854 by Rev. Mr.. Meister, who was the
first pastor. The congregation worshiped
for short time in a hall in the southwest
part of the city until the church was COM
pleted in the latter part of 1854. Among
the members of the congrega ton when it
was first organized are found the names
of Jacob Miller. D. w. Seller George Maier
NJ. f. KOehl, VIM. Gordon, F. Rupp, E. Lis
nitzer, c. w. Theilecke and Mr.. Aueroch.
Other early members, who with their
families are still connected with the congre-
cation, are Conrad Schafer, Eberhart Trus-
helm, Ulrich Ranf Henry kottmann, John
Banf. Eberhart HOFFMAN, Henry Trip, F.
G. Huth, Conrad Weitzel, VIM. Tanner
Christian HUH, John Thomas, Ernest
Huth, Fred Deitz. Fred Herman and others.
Among the former pastors of the congre-
cation who added materially to build up
the membership were the Rev. MIR. Schlegel
Rev. Mr.. Hamburger, Rev. Mr. Hamm,
Rev. Mr.. Leonard, Rev. H. K Miller and
Rev. Mr.. Hennighausen. who Is now pas
tor of prominent charge in Baltimore.
The present pastor Is Rev George Brod-
thage, who took charge in 1897.
Rev. Mr.. Brodthage was born in Ger
many in 1854 He was educated in the
colleges and universities of that country
and is considered a scholar of more than
ordinary attachments. He was especially
well educated in music, and he Is regarded
as fine musician, as well a splendid
singer. His first charge in this country
was at Washington, Ind, where he
preached for several years before coming
to this city. Rev. Mr.. Brodthage is popu-
lar with his congregation, and is regarded
as able preacher
The services lin St. Johns Church were
conducted in German until about five
years ago, when q change was made, and
the evening worship was conducted in Eng
fish, the plan in vogue at the present time.
The Luther League, a society consisting of
the young people of the congregation, was
organized about the time Mr.. Brodtha ge
began his duties as pastor of the church.
and it has been a great factor in the work
of the organization, and especially in the
recent movement for making extensive i'm
proVements.
Last fall there was serious talk of con-
solidating the St. Johns and St. Mark 8
Lutheran churches into body. to be
known as the St. John's-St. Marks Luth-
eran Church, with the object of forming a
large Lutheran congregation in the south
west part of the city, but the plan failed of
realization. The congregation of St. Johns
had been considering the advisability of re-
modelling their structure for the past ten
years, and upon the failure of the plan of
consolidation between the two churches
mentioned the membership Immediately set
to work to procure means for carrying out
the needed improvements, which eliminated
in the present plan of rebuilding. All the
debts on the old church were paid off in
1893. and the church is free from incum-
brance.
The corner stone of the old structure was
found last week during the excavation
for the new building. There were no spe-
ciai marks by which to designate the old
corner stone, but 1t was accidentally found
In the northeast corner of the foundato
below the grade Of the pavement In the
hollow of the stone a tin box, about
six by six by two inches, containing some
old papers, the writing on which was in
distinguished In the new stone tomor-
row will be placed the old tin box the
church periodicals, copies of the Washing
ton daily papers, a list Of the present trus-
tees and members Of the congregation and a
copy of the program of the days exer-
cises.
The building committee which has charge
of the construction of the new church con-
sists of the following members: Martin
Wiegand, chairman: George Ostermayer
secretary. Charles Schafer, treasurer, and
Henry Bieber, Fred. Schiermann and H A.
follows: Rev. Geo Brodthage pastor; H.
A. Rau, president: Martin Wiegand sec
rotary: Chas Schafer, treasurer Uric
Banf, VIM. Tanner, Fred. Schiermann, Geo.
HUH, Henry Kuhn, Henry Bieber, Jacob
| Mueller, Emil Rruehl and Geo. b. Oster-
mayer.
Work in the churches of Washington at
this time Is very quiet The congregations
have materially decreased in numbers on
| the city on their vacations. A number OF
| local pastors are also out of the city enjoy
| ing their annual summer rest, and the
church societies have all suspended active
| work until the cool weather of the fall sets
In. Scarcely any Of the churches are hold