THE THIRD CHURCH

Church under construction in 1905. Most workers are member volunteers.

1905 Picture of Original Church - Schoolhouse (To Left), Church and Parsonage.

On the first of May, 1904 it was resolved to build a brick church, the cost not to exceed $5,000.00. By that time already $3,839.00 had been subscribed. At the August meeting it was announced that some of the most liberal subscribers had left the congregation as soon as it became apparent that a new church building would actually be erected. Apparently their subscriptions amounting to approximately $800.00 had been a bluff and nothing more. But this set-back deterred the interest of the staunch members not in the least. It was resolved to proceed with the church building plans as originally adopted. Actual construction got under way that same Fall. For their courage and vision and generosity those members certainly must be commended. Bear in mind that the congregation embraced only 137 communicants at that time and yet they built a church comfortably accommodating 240. Remember also that a man can easily earn more in 2 hours now than he could earn in a week in those days. This same structure is being used by the Trinity Evangelical-United Methodists today.

We have already called attention to the fact that Pastor Gresens was the father of the first real parochial school. He continued a full teaching schedule in addition to his other pastoral duties throughout his ministry of 21 years. The enrollment varied during those years from a high of 47 to a low of 11. In 1911 the pipe organ was installed at a cost of $1,203.07. Two years later the parsonage was enlarged and modernized. This involved an expenditure of $1,929.66. At that time the congregation embraced 240 souls, 173 of them communicants. Branch #273 of the Aid Association for Lutherans was organized Oct. 9, 1914.