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 A
Brief Look at the History of Saint Paul Lutheran Church
May 30, 1898 was a very meaningful day for the Lutherans of the Pine Island
area because the congregation of Saint Paul Lutheran Church was organized. Charter
members were H. A. Wobig, A. F. Wobig, Charles Arndt, Henry Growth, Oscar
Kunz, F. P. Wobig, Frank Haase, A. E. Wobig, Fred Shumack, August Brierfeldt,
Fred Haase, Fred Smutlack, Emil Krause, Frank Manthei, Frank Protcka, Paul
Remarkel, John Krause, and John Augestin. The first church council
consisted of Frank Manthei, Frederick Smutlack, Frederick Smuck, Herman Wobig,
and John Ferber. No mention is made of women on the list of charter
members; they had no vote in the church. In fact, during church services,
men sat on one side and women on the other.
At the annual meeting of 1899, it was decided to build a house of worship
with Louis Ferber, Frederick Wobig, and John Ferber serving as the Building
Committee. The first church was constructed later in 1899. Prior
to this, services were held in the Seventh Day Adventist Church which was
located in the 400 block southeast of Pine Island. The church was built
with donated labor and financial support for the buildings and furnishings
from the Ladies Aid, Luther League, and Men's Club.
The dedication of the church in 1899 was conducted in both German and English. Until
1916, services were conducted solely in German. Until 1955, two communion
services each year were conducted in German.
During its one hundred and four years of growth, Saint Paul Lutheran Church
has been served by many pastors. Early on several "supply pastors" or
students, handled the ministerial duties on a temporary basis, many times
staying only a few days. In the early 1900s, the salaries paid to ministers
ranged from $80 to $200 a year. The minister often had to rely strictly
on the money brought in from certain offerings for his salary. Job
security was also a problem as recounted by a young minister who apparently
displeased a couple of the older congregational member. They wanted
to "throw him out" after he had preached on only a very few occasions.
 The
first parsonage was purchased from Albert Glamm in 1906. The present
parsonage was built in 1919 with Rev. William Zibell being the first pastor
who lived in it. In 1972, the parsonage was refitted with new
siding, shingles, and interior remodeling.
A separate schoolhouse was owned by the congregation for religious instruction. Instruction
was given four days per week for three months of each year. In 1916,
a Sunday School wing was added to the church building.
The present fellowship hall was built in 1957. It was constructed
with one wall of a temporary nature so that it might some day be joined to
a new sanctuary. Building of the current sanctuary began in 1969. It
was dedicated on February 22, 1970. The Lord's
Supper scene from the original altar was built into the new altar, and
has a special significance for many parishioners. The bell
tower holding the original church bell was built in 1970 with memorials
and money raised by the women. The 1300 pound bronze bell was purchased
by the Ladies Aid in 1911. The bell continues to call people
to worship and tolls the age of a member at the time of death. The
pipe organ was first dedicated in 1927. On our seventy-fifth anniversary,
the pipe organ was completely rebuilt, enlarged to 15 ranks, and placed in
the present location in the choir loft. The second dedication was May
20, 1973, with an organ recital by Rev. R. E. Scoggin of Rochester.
The second complete rebuilding began in the summer of 1995. It now
has 26 ranks, 10 of them pipes and 16 electronic. It was dedicated
during our centennial year. In the past, some of our organists served
for only a "thank you" or at most twelve dollars a year. Among
them were Amanda Birkholz, Hedwig Schultz (Mrs. Leonard Lueck), Miss Behrmier,
and our current organist, Katherine Klingsporn, who has served in that capacity
since 1932.
The first baptism at Saint Paul Lutheran Church was Emma Clara Arndt on
August 21, 1898. The first confirmed were Ida Krause, Agnes Stiller,
and Helen Remarkel. William Wobig and Amelia Stiller were the first
couple married in the newly formed congregation. Mr. and Mrs. Fred
Glamm were the firs couple married once the sanctuary was built. The
funeral of Albert Stiller, 13-year-old won of Mr. and Mrs. August Stiller,
is the first recorded burial.
Two of our pastors also served the church at large. Rev. Leo Moench
was called to be a professor of mathematics at St. Paul Luther College, St.
Paul, Minnesota, in 1918, and Dr. E. A. Welke was president of the Minnesota
District of the American Lutheran Church for more than 20 years. Saint
Pal Lutheran members ordained into the ministry were Robert Grendahl in 1959,
Allen Hastings in 1964, Gary Wees in 1990, Carl Glamm in 1995, Matthew Hausken
and Jack and Dawn Coffey in 2000. The membership of the congregation
has grown steadily. There are currently 1239 members. Some significant
examples of change that has taken place include:
| 1942 |
The German Seal of Saint Paul Lutheran Church was recorded
in English. |
 |
| 1944 |
The set of individual glasses for communion was purchased,
replacing the common cup. |
| 1947 |
The envelope system for contributions was started. |
| 1950 |
The building fund was begun for the present church with A.
E. Wobig, Ed Starz, and Marion Hopper serving on the committee. |
| 1954 |
The congregation voted that all women members 21 or older
are now voting members. |
| 1959 |
Lorraine Smith becomes the first church secretary (as a volunteer). |
| 1969 |
A new constitution was adopted. All members 18 years
of age or older could now vote. |
| 1971 |
First Communion classes began for fifth graders. |
| 1973 |
The Sunday School switched to a new concept with the lower
grades attending part of the worship service and then being sent
to Sunday school class. |
| 1974 |
Christian Service Groups were begun and were a big success. |
| 1975 |
A new secretary office was built. New blacktop was laid
on the northeast parking lot. |
| 1977 |
The church library was set up to lend out books. |
| 1978 |
The kitchen was remodeled. We began using the Lutheran
Book of Worship. Carlyle Johnson becomes church custodian. |
| 1979 |
The Glamm property west of the church was purchased. We
sponsored missionary Pastor David Johnson and family. |
| 1982 |
We completed an "every member visit" the by the
Stewardship Committee. |
| 1983 |
Pastor Merln Satrom serves as interim pastor. A new
roof was installed on the Fellowship Hall. The Glamm house
was sold, moved, and the lot became west parking. |
| 1984 |
Pastor Terje C. Hausken was called in July. Diane Webb
became pianist for the choir. |
| 1985 |
Grant Boyer became our parish assistant in June and Pastor
Earl Amundson started as visitation pastor in August. New
carpet was installed in the Narthex, Fireside Room, and offices. The
library was moved to the Fireside Room. |
| 1986 |
The Anna Loos estate was bequeathed to the church. Saint
Paul women began making quilts to give to each confirmed high
school graduate from our congregation at a special recognition
program each May. More than 250 quilts have been presented. |
| 1987 |
Purchased and demolished Darrel Miller property to enlarge
our west parking lot. |
| 1988 |
A new office addition and handicapped facilities were added. Dianne
Toogood became minister of music and served for eight years. She
organized and conducted seven choirs. |
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| 1989 |
Pastor Judd Larson called as associate pastor. Grand
piano is donated by Rudy Mohr. |
 |
| 1990 |
A building fund was established. Chime bells were given
by Rudy Mohr. Several youth attended the Youth Gathering
in Dallas, Texas. Stephen Ministries started training in
October. Pastor Tom Daklefson was called as an associate
pastor. |
| 1991 |
The congregations amended constitution was ratified. We
now have council members instead of trustees and deacons. Lorraine
Smith retired as church secretary after more than 31 years of
service. Karel Titus becomes the new administrative secretary. |
| 1992 |
A five-member committee appointed to raise funds for office
remodeling. Pastor Tom Anderson serves as an interim pastor. The
youth go on a Boundary Waters canoe trip. A campership
memorial in honor of Bill Mahlke was established. The office
began using computers for bookkeeping. |
| 1993 |
Congregation amends the by-laws to establish a Mission Bord. The
church budget for 1993 was set as $196,180. The office
area was remodeled. Youth backpack at Sky Ranch, Colorado. Pastor
John Torris Lohre began as senior pastor starting November 1. |
| 1994 |
An eight-week Grief and Growth seminar was started by interim
Pastor Al Walck. In July, Pastor Gail Madson was called
to be the associate pastor. The youth went to Atlanta,
Georgia for the National Youth Gathering. Responsion benevolence
program was begun. The sanctuary roof was re shingled
and the fellowship hall roof was repaired. Two pouring
chalices used with the common cup for Communion. |
| 1995 |
Congregation approves Mission Board. It administers
Responsion monies to local and worldwide needs. Fund created
for new sanctuary lighting. A fund created for rebuilding
the pipe organ. Seventh graders go on retreat at Good Earth
Village to study the Apostle's Creed. High school students
go on Boundary Waters canoe trip. We adopt a "sister" congregation,
San Lucas Lutheran, in Bogota, Colombia. Carl Glamm ordained
here. |
| 1996 |
Kent Jurgenson becomes music director. The youth go
on Superior Hiking Trail trip along the North Shore. "Fellowship
for Families" was started. Youth and adults work/service
group paint Irene Glamm's house. The west parking lot is
paved. The sanctuary carpet is replaced. "Dinners
for 8" fellowship groups begin. |
| 1997 |
A centennial celebration committee is established. It
oversees a special congregational event each month of the centennial
year. Congregation purchases the adjacent Samuelson and
Holthe properties for $82,000. Youth attend National Youth
Gathering in New Orleans. Youth and adults paint the Arnold
Ferber home as a service project. |
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| 1998 |
100 years old. Pipe organ rebuild dedicated in honor
of Katherine Klingsporn. Custodian Carlyle Johnson
retires after 20 years. New pews upholstery, sanctuary
lights, and landscape. |
| 1999 |
Create 10 for 10 to thank God for 100 years. Purchased
the Keane property $140,000. Lynn Ness is part-time Education
Director. Replace 19 windows in fellowship hall. |
| 2000 |
30 Youth and Alfonso Corso (Bogota, Columbia) attend National
Gathering in Saint Louis. Install two new boilers. Pastor
Gail called to Saint Timothy's. Pastor Kathy Gauger is
interim. Mathew Hausken ordained here. Jack and Dawn
Coffey ordained here. |
| 2001 |
Pastor Kip Groettum begins June 1. Project worship words
to screen (9/9). Scholarship monies to San Lucas in Bogota,
Colmbia. Largest offering for Lutheran Disaster Relief
(911), $3,000. Stewardship picture presentation shows budget
percentages and members. |
| 2002 |
Laura Gathje and Lynn Ness shared Education Director position. Sacristy
taken down to project to back wall. We honor Katherine
Klingsporn for 70 years of service in music to the Glory of God,
1932-2002 and dedicate the picture directory to her. Daniel
Corso comes from Bogota to learn English (stays with Lunde family
like brother Alfonso). |
| 2003 |
A new education, youth, and music wing was constructed on
the north side of the fellowship hall at a cost of $654,126.
Dedication of the facility occurred at both services on November
9. |
| 2004 |
The new addition is being used by youth, Sunday School, music
groups, adult education, and has become a meeting place for the
community. Through generous memorials and gifts landscaping was
completed on the west and south side of the sanctuary and north
side of the fellowship hall. The 11 th Grief and Growth seminar
was held in March. Lori Weis joined the office staff. |
| 2005 |
The Samuelson house at 209 Second Ave. SW was removed and
fill and gravel was added to the property in preparation for
adding a bituminous parking lot to the existing west parking
lot in 2006. Our youth traveled on a mission trip to Appalachia
Kentucky. |
| 2006 |
In February a new contemporary Saturday worship service began.
The west parking lot was completed with cement driveways, curb
and gutter, and a sidewalk on the west, bituminous topping, and
striping for a total of 52 parking spaces at a cost of $43,120.32.
A rock wall was erected on the north side of the west parking
lot by volunteers. Lydia Grant joined the staff as financial
secretary. Our youth traveled to the San Antonio ELCA Youth Gathering. |
| 2007 |
On April 14 the church had an auction that raised $4,204.30
for the parking lot, the building addition of 2004, adult/family
mission trip, and benevolence. A landscape planting on top of
the rock wall on the north side of the parking lot was donated.
Our youth traveled in July on a mission trip to the Blackfeet
Reservation in Montana. A new internet-based education curriculum, “Akaloo”,
which means to follow, began in September for children through
adults. |
| 2008 |
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| 2009 |
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