Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1951-04-26


attended. The Sunday School and
Church attendance increased until
in 1910 a record of 1872 was reached
with a goal of $50 real objective.
Pastor Hershberger had the dis
tinction of serving st. Lukes longer
than any other resident pastor.
A building fund was started early
in his pastorate, since the con-
gregation had never owned par
sonage. Thus, when he left in the
fail of 1915, the congregation,
realizing the need of a parsonage,
and through the prompt action of
VIM. E. Smith, was able to secure
the present parsonage and future
site of our new church.
In the meantime, the Rev. George
P. Schmidt received the call to
St. Lukes which he accepted in
December 1915, but with the pro-
viso that his ministry at Redland
begin the first Sunday in March
1916. Pastor Aaron Anderson Of
st. Pauls, Fulton served the con-
gregation well in the interim.
The second World War was over
and the many young men of St.
Lukes who had served in all branch
esof the armed forces were return
ing home and taking their places
again in the ranks of the church.
Pastor Hershberger had to face a
very severe handicap in the absence
of 25 of the best young men, some
being in the service as long as four
years.
The economic, political and social
conditions were now quite different
from what the early pastors had
to face. Even church life and work
was quite different. Many forces
and things were competing for the
time, talents, strength and finances
of our people. The Church, as the
center of its peoples interests and
activities, was being seriously chal-
lenged. In many sections of our
country the rural church was clos
ing its doors and admitting defeat.
But the rural areas needed the
church now as never before!
Not knowing past history of st.
Lukes, or the sturdy character of
its members, but realizing their
need of a shepherd, and believing
in them and in the promises of God,
we began to build. We were fully
aware of the small budget here
tofore raised, and the $4,000 mort
gage staring us in the face, but
we were just as sure that God
would continue to bless His church.
After five years we are amazed
at His goodness and thrilled by the
harvest He has given us. The will
ingness to work and give on the
part of the members was demon
strated in the complete renovation
of the parsonage. The hearty
cooperation of the congregation
and their response to the pastors
recommendations and pleas soon
filled the church with worshippers,
and entirely liquidated all debts.
The annual budget has been in
creased threefod, the new church
fund is nearing the $4,000 mark
the organ fund is $500 and the
average church attendance is $50
with the Sunday School averaging
ITO. We are now confronted with
the pleasant prospect of planning
the construction of a new church.
In this connection we wish to ex-
press our sincere thanks to the
Eastern District of the ALC which
through Dr. w. E. Schuette, gave
st. Lukes subsidy of $500 for
two years, that is, from March
1916 to February 1913. This en-
abled US, figuratively speaking, to
catch our breath and get on our
feet, with the advent of a married
minister and the increased cost of
living.
We are not doing much to the
old church since we expect to build
as soon as possible. But we have
received some needed equipment
In 1886 the robes for the choir, and
later paraments for the altar, pull
pit and lectern in all the liturgical
cOlors were made for the most
part by Mrs. Dorothy Fraley. VIM.
E. Smith donated new mimeo-
graph which made it possible to
have neat, four page bulletin to
distribute weekly at church serv-
ices. He also later gave four bro
caded silk stoles in the different
liturgical colors. In December
1916 the baptismal font was given
by Mrs. Martha Lowry and daugh-