The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1908-05-08
HISTORY OF CHURCH.
Was the First Church Organization In
Norfolk.

the church begins the history of Nor.
folk.
The colony of German Luthcrans
who founded Norfolk spent the years
1872 to 1866 in lNouia, wis From
there In the fall of 1865 two men,
Herman Braasch, sr., and Fred Wag-
nCr sr, were sent out To visit Ne
braska by those who were DESTROYS
of new home and who had heard OF
the good land In Nebraska These
first explorers of Madison county re-
turned and reported we'll OF the coun-
try.
The people were enthusiastic and
many were willing to leave Wiscon-
sin. In May 1866 the founders of the
St Paul congregation left IXOnia. The
majority of the Lutheran St Paul
congregation of Ixonia and some OF
the congregation at Mayville, Wis,
came to Norfolk, arriving in the mid
die of July. The Journey was made
overland with OX-tCams There were
rivers to ford and numerous bridges
to be built over streams which could
not be fordCd.
a brush shed was erected and the
first religious services were held by
the Northfork. Herman Braasch con.
Quoted the services. Herman Braasch,
Martin Raasch and G.. Roehrke were
the first deacons of the congregation
at lXonia and called pastor before
they left Wisconsin.
In the fall OF the same year Rev.
John Heckendorf, who had been called
as pastor, followed the immigrants to
Nebraska, arriving in October. He
attended to the duties of his Office as
soon as he arrived. Services were
held in the homes of the pastor and
Herman Braasch. The pioneers were
soon convinced of the necessity OF a
house OF worship and to that end pur-
chased about twelve acres of land.
The first church building, log church
24X30, was then erected In Norfolk,
then hamlet a little more than a
year old.
Pioneer Church.
This was the pioneer church not
only of Norfolk but of this part Of
the state. The ground upon which
it was erected is still the present
church grounds. 1t is said that the
nearest church was at West Point
Until January, 1872 the public schools
of Norfolk were taught in the old log
church
Norfolk's first church was soon too
small. At the Lords Supper many
were compelled to stand outside. A
new church was demanded by the
situation. The congregation went to
work in courageous manner, and In
the face of difficulties.
In 1878 a frame church, 30X50 was
built. 1t had been decided to build
this church in the time OF Pastor
Heckendorf, but the building was ded-
| cated after the arrival of Rev. M.
Pankow.
The pastors who followed Pastor
Heckendorf were Rev. NJ. Pankow.
Rev. A. F. Siegler, Rev. P. II. Hoelzel
and Rev. John Witt.
The st. Paul congregation has al
ways contributed to the institutions
of the Wisconsin synod and has sent
many students to its colleges. In
| 1901, in the time of Rev. Phi. Hoelzel,
the Norfolk congregation Joined the
district synod of Nebraska, a branch
Of the Wisconsin synod.
OF the pastors, Rev. John Hecken-
dorf came in October, 1866 at a time
when the people were poor and often
distressed. During the years he
stayed the membership increased. The
first church was built and 1t was re-
solved to build the second. The con.
gregation was Incorporated August
16, 1876. The first pastor died in
1877
His successor, Rev NJ. Pankow, was
installed at the same time that the
frame church was dedicated. The
new pastor met with great success,
the membership increasing rapidly
During his administration the congre.
cation built a school house and called
the first teacher. Rev. Mr., Pankow
also preached at Hadar and Stanton
and founded a congregation at Hos
kins.
Rev. A. F. Sieger was installed in
| May 1892. The parsonage was re-
built.
Rev. Phi. Hoelzel succeeded. He
was installed in November, 1899. He
was a very true pastor. He died
April 80, 1904
Rev. John White, the present pastor
was installed July 3, 1904. In the
past four years the congregation has
laid out two new roads, improved the
church property, rebuilt the teachers
dwelling, accepted a constitution for
the school and cemetery and now ded-
icates handsome $22,5OO church.
Rev. John Witt is a pastor worthy
to succeed the pastors who have gone
before him. He is an earnest, inspir-
ing, vigorous man, a true preacher
of eloquence, learning and understand.
ing, a minister who has the hearts Of