New Britain herald., 1914-07-15
REV. A. C. I. STE[CE
 IS GIVEN RECEPTION
IW''nty-fith Anniversary Of 0lG.-
 Datlon Cause for Social.

A surprise reception in honor of the twenty-ffth anniversary of his ordination to the ministry was given to the Rev. A. C. Theodore Steege, pastor of St. Matthew's German Lutheran church last night by his parishioners and the members of the Connecticut Valley Pastoral confer ence. The anniversary was cele- brated not only with service and addresses by members of the congre- gation, but also by more tangible signs of regard, a purse of $100 given by his congregation and other minor gifts.
 The reception was a surprise to MT. Steege, his first knowledge of it be- ing when two of his congregation called at his house last evening and told him that business of importance required his presence at the church. When he reached the church MT. Seege found a large congregation as- sembled. An anniversary service was held, sermon being preached by the Rev. $. F. Chaser of Meriden and music being sung by the choir. At the close all those present were in- vited to the Parish hall for a so- cial.
 Purse Presented at Social.
 Before a crowded hall, after fur ther selections by the choir, Profes- sor L. Wagner of the parochial school, who acted as master of cere- monies introduced as speakers var ious persons present. MT. Adolph Wyck spoke for the congregation. mentioning the esteem in which MT. Steege was held and showing 1t by the gift to MT. Steege in behalf of the congregation of one hundred dol lars in gold. Mrs. H. Wuchert spoke for the Ladies' society. August Luetke for the Young Peoples so- ciety and Miss Angelis Surke for the choir. Then two members of the pastoral conference addressed the gathering, the Rev. l.. A. Linn of Westfield, Mass, and the Rev. w. von Schenk of Rockville. MT. Stege replied to the speakers with evident pleasure and gratitude.
 MT. steegc's Past Life.
 The ordination to the ministry of MT. Steege, which was commence rated last night. took place on July IA, 1889, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. MT. Steege was the son of a minister of the German Lutheran church and was born in Ida, Michigan in 1867. He was educated in Dundee, Illinois where his father Is still minister, having celebrated the fiftieth anni- versary of his ordination last year. After the ordination of MT. Steege he was pastor of a church in Council Bluffs for six years and after that in Lyons, Iowa for ten years. Tn that town, in 1899, MT. Steege's first wife died leaving two of their own and two adopted children. By his second marriage MT. Steege has four children.
 In January 1906, MT. Steege be- came pastor of St. Matthew's church in this city, taking the place of the | Rev. William Moenkemiller. who be- | came professor in Concordia college. | St. Paul Minnesota.
 Out of Town Ministers.
 In addition to the congregation, | the reception last night was attended | by members of the Connecticut Val | ley Pastoral Conference which was l held yesterday in this city because | the accustomed meeting place In | Hartford was unavailable. The min | isters present at the conference were. | Rev. J. Kavash of Hartford, S. F. Glaser of Meriden, w. von Schenk of | Rockville, l.. A. Linn of Westville, Mass, August Bruner of Holyoke, F Miller of East Hampton, Mass, and o. Duessel of Bristol. The Rev. F. w. Hassenflug of Middletown, who was unable to be present at the was here in the evening.
 The conference, which meets | monthly, was concerned yesterday | chiefly with a report on a new hym- nal for the German Lutheran church In this country and Canada. The af- ternoon session considered various questions of pastoral life.