Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-08-06
WILL LAY CORNER
STONE FST.jOHN
LUTHERAN CHURCH
German-English Congregation,
Established 1888, to Have
Imposing Structure.

One of the finishing artistic embel-
lishments OF the new st. Johns Ger
man-English Lutheran Church, the
cornerstone of which will be laid with
appropriate ceremony tomorrow after
noon at Avon VENUE and South Tenth
street, this city, will be a beautiful
$500 biblical memorial window. This
commemorative feature is the gift of
the Ladies' Aid Society. both senior
and Junior. and the Young Peoples
Luther Society.
The three societies have largely
aided the official board of the church
in their efforts to promote the erection
of the new $4,000 edifce.
The cornerstone will be laid at 3
o'clock, and the officiating clergyman
will be the Rev. Frederick Bosch, pas
tor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of
Manhattan. An interesting program
has been arranged. in which an invo-
cation. singing, an address outlining
the history of the church and the lay
ing of the stone by the president of
the church board will be the special
features.
A copy of the Newark EVENING
STAR of today will be inclosed In the
box in the cornerstone.
Visiting CIergymen VIII Take Part.
The pastor of the church, the Rev.
o. E.. Braune. who succeeded the
Rev. G.. Doering on June q, 1903,
will assist in the service. It is
expected that several visiting clergy
men will participate in the ceremony.
The church, when finished, will pos
sess a commanding Gothic outline, and
will be constructed of tapestry brick
n have a terra Gotta trim. The cost,
with the interior equipment, will be
nearly $4,000.
st. Johns Church is the Oldest Luth-
eran Church in the State and one of
the Oldest missions brought forth by
the Ministerium of New York.
AS far back as the year 1927 the Min
isteriunl realized that something ought
to be done for the Lutherans living in
the growing settlement of Newark, but
all attempts were seemingly of no avail
until the year 1888. when on October 10
Dr.. Geissenhainer succeeded in organ
izing st. Johns First Evangelical Luth-
eran Church with eighteen charter
members.
The first services were held in a hall
over a carpenter shop in Harrison
street (now Halsey, south of Market
street, between Market and William
Streets. The young congregation grew
SO quickly that it was soon found nee
essary to look for larger quarters. A
hall was secured in Market street, cor
ner of Beaver street, which answered
the purpose until property was ac-
qufred and a church erected on Me-
chanic street, between Broad and Null
berry streets. This church was dedi-
Gated on November 10, 1910, the birth
day of the great reformer. DR.. Luther.
Dissention Engendcrs Debt.
Unfortunately a dissension arose
soo afterward. The matter was
brought to court, but the proceedings
were of such duration that in the end
the congregation found itself in debt.
Nevertheless, under the pastorate of
the Rev. Ebert, the congregation be-
gan to flourish and was enabled to ac-
quire the present property in the year
1852.
The following pastors served the con-
gregatton: The Rev. L. Schmidt, the
Rev. Philip Merkle the Rev. Winkler,
the Rev. Marschoff. the Rev. Seibel,
the Rev. Raegener. whose widow wor-
shipped with US until a few years ago..
ana the Rev. Mr.. Ebert. The Rev
Philip Keug accepted the call In the
year 1867 and served the congregation
over twenty-five years. The Rev. G.
Doering. now emigrant missionary in
New York city. began his pastorate in
April. 1895. During his time the re-
manning debt was lifted inc the old
organ replaced by the present one.
The Rev. MI. o. Braune has beer pas
tor since June q, 1908.
Come of the names mentioned as first
members Of this church are: ]. Disch,
c. zuiauf, G. Bauer. B. H. Nolte. H.
Gansz, William Brooke, j. Leibbe,
Grau and Wiegman.
The flock expect to occupy the new
edifce the second week in November.
The buyers of the old church in Hal
sey street, L. 8. Plaut & Co., have
given the congregation the privilege
of worshiping in the edifce until De-
cember l. When the structure is va
Gated it is understood that it will be
demolished and a mercantile building
erected on the site.
The building committee looking after
the erection of the new church consists
of Frederick Kilgus, president; Arthur
Bgner, secretary; Henry Egner, jr.,
Charles Landmesser, sr., A. L. Braun
and the Rev. DR.. Braune.