Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1951-04-19
John Hans'n Home
Open In Garden
And Home Tour

IOpcu LII UdIutu
And Home Tour
Ripley, of Believe it or Not"
fame, once tripled the size of his
fan mail by doing a cartoon strip
stating that George Washington was
not the first President of the
United States and that, in fact,
there had been eight other presi-
dents before George Washington
took office in 1889. The Catch"
to this statement lies in the fact
that eight Presidents held office
under the Articles of Confeder-
alton, before the adoption of Con-
stitution II.
John Hanson of Maryland, was
our first president under consitu-
ton l, in 1881. All those who
would like to see the birthplace
of this man who first held the
country's highest office may do so
from 10 am. to 6 pm. ON Saturday,
April %. On that day, Mulberry
Grove, the house in which he was
born, near LaPlata, in Charles
County, will be opened to visitors
during the 13-day Maryland House
and Garden Pilgrimage. By an
especially interesting coincidence,
Oxon Hill Manor (now the home
of the Honorable Sumner Welles)
where John Hanson died, will be
opened, on April 80, also from 10
am. to 6 pm. during Prince
Georges County Day, of the
Pilgrimage.
Mulberry Grove, like Hanson's
own story, languisHed in neglect
for time, the historic old house
having been seriously damaged in
fire during 1888. Now, however,
fresh interest in John Hanson and
his birthplace has been aroused
because DR.. and Mrs. Edward j.
Edelen, natives of Charles County,
recently acquired and rebuilt the
house, then decided to open it for
the first time during Maryland's
spring Pilgrimage.
Then, too, some of the young peo-
pie moved away, the membership
dwindled, and even some of these
were Indifferent. Anyone ac-
quainted with the situation might
we'll have agreed with Pastor Cob
des' conclusions and recommen-
dation to Synod.
However, the few loyal members
were convinced that their long,
hard struggles and sacrifices would
some day bear fruit. They would
not permit the abandonment of
St. Lukes, nor count it an utter
failure. They were going to
make a brave and determined
stand regardless of what Synod
might say or do. In spite of the
many disappointments and losses
they had experienced, they would
not think of quitting at this crit
ical moment.
So they resolved to call a pastor
in the person of the Rev. S. H..
Puffenberger. He accepted the
call, and in 1914 began a difficult
but faithful ministry. During his
regime of four years a number of
Lutheran families moved from
Virginia and West Virginia to
Maryland, whose interest in the
mission was gained. Thus, the
mission lately considered almost
dead, now began taking on new
life and showing steady growth, SC
that real progress was made. But
trial and difficulty seemed to be
the fate Of this mission, as it now
faced one of it's most serious situa-
tions with the removal of Pastor
Puffenberger to another field Of
labor.
The Mission Board withdrew its
support. The shepherdless flock
once again must face the ferocious
wolves of encouragement and
despair. But once again their
friend and founder, Pastor Doer-
mann came TO the rescue of his UNI
fortunate child. Had it not been
for him and his implicit faith in
the loyal band at Redland, there
would undoubtedly be far differ
ent story written today. He
preached, and in his spare time
admonished and comforted the
supporters of this mission; always
maintaining that some day st.
Lukes would become a vigorous,
self supporting congregation.
How right he was
ITO be continued merit Weck)