The Washington herald., 1907-09-22
SUNDAY MORNING CHAT.

Grace Evangelical Luther n Church. 10
Gated ou Thirteenth street northwest. is
thirty years old to-day. and will cele-
b-ate the anniversary with sermon this
morning by Dr. c. II. L. Schuette. gen
eral president Of the Lutheran Joint
synod of Ohio, now holding its annual
meeting in Grace Church. The members
feel a double pleasure in DR.. Schuettr' 5
presence to-day. - he preached the ded-
icatory sermon OF tbs present house Of
worship. Rev. II. r. Ackler. of Peru,
". Va. VIII occupy the pulpit this even
ing. fine musical programme has been
arranged.
This church organization was brought
about mainly through the efforts of a
Few young people, most or whom be-
lOneed 10 the German Lutheran Trinity
congregation, Of this city. who wished
10 establish, in the English language.
"a true. conservative Lutheran church. IN
which the doctrines and practices Of the
pure Lutheran Church should prevail.
The pastor and members are required by
the constitution to adhere TO the Smaller
0dAtAlliSAll ga A-4AAAtAt Ai4t @NAtE1AlAtA NtAA-
fession." and other confessions of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church. prominent
among them being the formula of con
cord" Grace Church. it is said. has al
ways maintained its conservatism and
has Loyalty and consistently chung to the
historic rites and doctrines Of the de-
nomination.
The church organization was effected in
the summer of 1876, and the first year
they hello their services in the German
Lutheran Church, at the corner Of Sixth
and z streets northwest During this
period the congregation had no regular
pastor, the pulpit being supplied by min
listers from Baltimore belonging to the
Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of
Ohio But the enterprising young mem
bers were on the lookout for place to
locate their church home, and before long
lot was bought on Thirteenth street
between Q and r streets. where a frame
chapel was built, and there was great re-
joicing when on August Is. 1871. it was
dedicated. and at the same time Rev F.
G. Tressel was installed as first pastor
the dedicatory sermon betty delivered by
Rev. DIT. n. 10y, professor of theology
in the Theological Seminary at Columbus.
Ohio. As soon as they began to worship
in the little chapel a Sunday school was
organized in which pure Lutheran in
struction books and literature We're used.
The first officials of the congregation
were: J. c. Preinkert, president; Z. T.
Eberbach, secretary; c. c. Stutz, treas
urer; L. T. Stutz and J. P. Stinzing,
trustees.
The church fiourished. and the growing
membership and Sunday-school made
larger and more commOdious building
necessary, and plans were made which
finally matured in the erection of tie
present artistic stone edifice. which was
built on the Old site, and dedicated
January Il, 1887. the sermon being preach
ed as has been stated. by Or. Schuette.
Rev J. T. A DOermann was installed
pastor January s. 1898. and under his
faithful ministry Grace Church continues
her usefulness and prosperity
Beside the anniversary celebration at
Grace Church. the annual meeting Of the
Concordia district OF the Evangelical
Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio has been
holding its sessions there since last We'd
nesday morning. Tomorrow the synod