The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1919-05-22
zIONLUTHERANS TO
DEDICATE CHURCH
SAUK CENTRE CONGREGATION
WILL HOLD IMPRESSIVE
CEREMONIES SUNDAY.
GERMAN & ENGLISH SERVICES
THE CHURCH HAS DEVELOPED
SPLENDIDLY IN THE LAST
FEW YEARS.

Beginning in very small way
back in 1891 when Rev. HitZamann,
the Lutheran pastor of Long Prairie
began holding German Lutheran ser
wees in Sank Centre the Luther church
work may be said to have started in
this city. Later Rev. A. c. Bartz of
Alexandria assisted.
In 1895 Rev Otto Richter, then
pastor of Unity church, took up the
work in the local field. A Luther con-
gregation was organized in about 1898
and was named Zion Evangelical Luth-
ern Church. The new congregation
was served with a pastor from Mel
rose until 1914 when Rev. L. j..
Lemke of Unity was pastor. During
this period the congregation was re-
organized and incorporated under the
laws of the State of Minnesota; there
were IL incorporators. ~
In the spring of 1915 the congrega-
ton purchased house on the north
side of the river and extended a pas
torate call to Rev. Julius A. Stein
of Devils Lake, N. D. Rev. Stein ac-
cepted the cali and began his labors
here in the early part of June of the
same wear. Zion Lutheran church
then numbered about CO. commune
cants, with less than 100 in the entire
parish. But with the coming of Rev.
Stein new life was injected into the
congregation.
In 1916 the congregation purchased
a lot in the James addition expecting
sl-l> nl,11r
the close of the war. Last TALL TINS
lot was sold and the former Baptlse
church, located on Walnut avenue
was purchased. During the winter
thew purchased the commodious Van
desteep residence corner Third street
and Walnut, just north of the church.
The Zion congregation has been
nsinc the church since shortly aftef
its purchase. A beautiful altar, statu-
ary Rantismal font and other tlxtufes
have been added. 8.
Sunday, May Is, 1919, will be an
ayentfni day in the life Of Zion congre-
cation for upon this date the cosy NJ
tie church will be Dedicated 10 tlae
Lutheran faith with appropriate ceIe-
monies. Services will be held at tne
church in the German language at ~
a. M, Rev. j. Krechmer OF WIZARD
,raacbinp the dedicatory sermon. rev,
Tbeo Gatknecht Of Swanvlllle ana
others will assist in this service. sun
Sav afternoon at 2:30 English services
viii he conducted by Rev. A. G.. KAN
noer of st. Cloud, with Rev. Gutknecn'
and others assisting at the altar: "A
go su ~ tbis service will be the singing
If the very capable choir from tns
Home School for Girls :, ,.:e,,,
zion congregation have beautlIu'
location for their church and parson
ape. and it is safe to say that thes
win continue to develop and prosper
Rev julius A. Stein, pastor OF Zion
lutheran church came to Sank Centre
ahont four years ago upon call from
the congregation. He is a natlve Oh
Indiana where his father was also
lutheran minister. The Sank Centre
nastor is a graduate of the Lutheran
school at Seward, Neb., and Con
cordia Seminary, Springfield, Ill. ne
was active in carrying on tne wa,
activities and Red Cross work. ano
Jnr;no his residence in Sank CenI!e
has made many friends outside OF MS
church. 11c
Zion church has at present ~
communicates or adult members: .as
whole parish in charge of Rev, Stem ten
numbering 225. Services are con,
d1cted in the English and German
Iano1ae,,s. but the Sunday Scnooi M
+be English language only: "A class
of ofe p Young Young people is now being pre- l.;
e esn language live live Ladies, AID AID
iuncts of the congregation.
The officers of the congrega.aodliI
are: j. Gritzmacher' Emu o1 = A
and Alex Paschke, deacons; r. "a
fischer aiu secretary; A. Volkman, treas
urer. F. A. Fischer and EDWIN s,.
Scbwanke were appointed as the COM PM
mittee to purchase the parsonage anu
church.