The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-06-20
Church

schill and Carl Furtney.
The Rev. Harley c. Sipe. was
born at Hartford City, Indiana, and
went 10 Ohio at the age Of u. His
high school education was obtained
at 'Wapakoneta, Ohio, where he
was graduated in 1919 with second
highest honors in a class OF sc.
Receives Degrees
After an interval of two years he
entered Capital University, Column
BUS Ohio, from which institution
he received the A. B. degree in
1925. After completing the requir-
ed three-year course in the Theolo.
gical Seminary. he was graduated
In 1928. Together with four others
out OF class of 25 Pastor Sipe re.
ceiyed the degree Of Bachelor Of
divinity, bestowed upon those who
fulfil the required standards Of
scholarship and write a thesis sat
isfactory to the faculty OF the Sem
mary.
In August. 1928, Rev. sipe was
installed as pastor Of St. Pauls
Lutheran Church at Lindsey, Ohio
where he served until February OF
1892, when he was called to Faith
Congregation, Toledo. Ohio, his
present charge. Under his lead.
ership a Parish Hall was built by
the Lindsey congregation, and cleo.
trio lights were installed In The
Parish Hall Church and parsonage.
through the building OF nearly
three miles Of line by the members
Of the congregation and other in.
terested individuals.
Membership Increased
During the 10 years of labor in
Faith Church at Toledo the active
confirmed membership has increas-
ed from 1875 TO approximately 300,
and the present baptized member
ship is close to 500. The gain in
membership so far this year ex-
ceeds that Of any previous year in
the history of the congregation.
Official acts OF Pastor Sipe in
clude 229 baptisms, PA confirma-
lions, 70 funerals and 62 weddings,
exclusive OF this year.
The material progress of the
congregation has also been out
standing. In 1887 an eight-room
frame parsonage with an oil-burn-
ing furnace and garage attached
was erected at a cost OF 5000 and
in 1871 the Church building was
enlarged and remodeled at a cost Of
$500. New pews were installed
in February, 1914, for the sum of
1926. A new organ is on order and
a substantial portion OF the cost
has already been gathered. The
Fair Share of Benevolence Quota
of the American Lutheran Church
has been overpaid for the past sew
eral years. Local benevolence
causes have also been very gener-
ously supported. The average con-
tribution per member for all caus-
es is among the highest in the
Michigan District, and twice as
large as the average in the Amer
lean Lutheran Church. The re-
ceipts in 1914 were six times as
large as in 1882. The congregation
became self-supporting at the be
ginning Of this year, and will cell
citrate the twentieth anniversary Of
its organization in January, 1916.
Active In Community
In addition to the work in his
congregation, Pastor Sipe has been
active in community life, with par
ticular emphasis on the work OF
the Parent Teachers Association,
both local and city-wide. He is a
charter member OF the Toledo
P.T.A. Mems Chorus. which, until
the war interfered, made many ap-
pearances, both locally and in other
parts of the state. For two years
he served as n member OF the fac
ulty OF the Toledo Training School
for Church School leaders sponsor
ed by the Toledo Training School
for Church School leaders sponsor
ed by the Toledo Sunday School
Association.
He has served the Lutheran
Church at large in various capaci-
ties, having held executive posts In
the Toledo Local Pastoral Confer
ence, the Fremont Local Pastoral
Conference, the Northwestern Ohio
Sunday School Teachers Associa-
ton, the Ohio Conference Of the
Michigan District, the Michigan
District and the American Luther
an Church. For more than ten
years he was publicity director for
the Michigan District, and from
1888 TO 1914, served in a similar ca
pacity for the American Lutheran
Church. Since 1884, Pastor Sipe
has held the position Of secretary
treasurer OF the Lutheran Minis
tiers Aid Society of the American
Lutheran Church, and for the past
two years has been vice president
Of the Ohio Conference Of the Mich
igan District. He is enrolled In
the graduate department of the Chi
cago Lutheran Theological Semin-
airy, at haywood. Illinois, studying
the courses leading to the degree
OF Doctor OF Sacred Theology.
Pastor and Mrs. Sipe are the par
ents of three children. Theodore.
16. is a junior at Libbey High
School, Toledo. and member OF
the National Honor Society. Eve