STERLING'S SECOND PASTOR

Immediately after Pastor Lussky resigned, the congregation extended a call to the Rev. John Merkel of Chicago. The installation service was conducted on the 9th of December of that same year. Apparently another attempt was made under this pastor to establish another congregation since the records indicate that a communion service was conducted in Jordan Township September 25, 1885. A second entry listing 16 guests on the 25th of April of the following year concludes all references to this mission attempt. Nothing further came of it. On the 8th of August, 1886, Pastor Merkel was granted a peaceful dismissal in order that he might shepherd the congregation at Mascoutah, Illinois. At that time this congregation numbered 66 communicants and 113 souls.