Messiah Lutheran Church & Education Building

THE SERVICE AT THE CHURCH DOORS- Nov. 23, 1952

By the grace of God Second Avenue Lutheran was rapidly outgrowing its limited facilities for educational, organizational and worship purposes. Word was circulated that the Congregation was ready to sell its property to another church. The Episcopalians found the Parish Hall just what they wanted but could not visualize how they could use "so large a church." A movement was under way nationally to affect a union between the Evangelicals and the United Brethren. When the United Brethren Church was severely damaged by fire, they joined the Trinity Evangelicals in their church, and - of course - found their building too small for the combined parish. Our property was appraised at $45,000.00; the Trinity Ev. United Brethren Church offered to pay $44,000.00; the offer was accepted on the motion of the oldest voting member in attendance at that congregational meeting (John Simantel: "I move that we sell everything except the preacher's furniture."), and a contract was signed by both groups July 28, 1950 specifying "possession shall be given on or before October 1, 1952."

Everything moved ahead with commendable dispatch from that time on. The Building Committee had been meeting for a year and a half already, getting prepared for whatever assignments might be made. At their recommendation Architect Herbert Brand of Chicago was engaged, basic floor plans were drafted according to a study the Committee had made of potential needs, the plans were adopted by the voters with the addition of one more bay (adding some 17' to the length of the Nave), the estimated cost of $270,000 was approved, the decision was reached to contract for cost-plus construction as much as possible, and the Committee was authorized to make all necessary decisions, coming back to the voters for counsel and decisions only when the Committee deemed this essential.

This was indeed a unique and wonderful way to move ahead. The Committee worked together very well, stayed in touch with plans and construction at all times and was able to implement improvements through the Architect as construction proceeded by virtue of this power to act. Only their families could fully know and appreciate the hundreds and hundreds of hours they devoted to this project of love. The Pastor was a key member of this unit, as well as of the Building Fund Committee, working closely with both all the way through.

Ground was broken March 11, 1951, a new name (Messiah) was adopted in place of the geographical identification it would leave behind (Second Avenue), and the Second Avenue property was vacated by the contract deadline, even though construction was not finished and services and meetings had to be conducted in the basement for seven weeks.

"Hair-raising" is the best word to describe one experience prior to this move. Permission had been granted Trinity Congregation to begin excavating the basement of the church while we were still using it. They assured us the contractor would shore up all supports, so no problems would arise. The early service had barely gotten started one Sunday when these supports started to crack. Someone had foolishly laid the supporting cement blocks on their sides instead of in the normal upright position and the sound of their cracking and the sagging of the floor nearly caused a panic. Pastor Mueller had noted this potential problem the night before, recognized immediately what was happening, and ordered the congregation to remain seated, as the ushers would direct the people out slowly in controlled units. All went well. Services were conducted in the parish hall that day. From that time on the contractor acted more wisely!

The joyful three dedication services, with 2,800 in attendance, took place November 23, 1952 in fulfillment of the motto adopted and followed for this venture of faith: "All to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10,31. The Building Fund Committee had hopefully targeted $5,000.00 as a goal for special offerings Dedication Sunday. The response was much more than they dreamed possible: $10,779.75.

THE CONGREGATION FOR THE DEDICATION SERVICE

John Wenk, captain of the volunteer workers, reported 6,510 hours of volunteer labor were invested by members by Dedication Sunday. This helped materially to keep construction costs within reasonable limits. The outbreak of the Korean War inflated the cost of both materials and labor, so that the final cost escalated to $300,000.00. The details of construction and the story of the symbols are recorded in the dedication book.

THE FIRST COMMUNION SERVICE with the Rev. M.H. Mueller assisting his son.

At moving time the Pastor and his family were located in a rented home on West 13th Street. When it became evident that the parish was supporting the indebtedness program adequately, the voting members decided to build a parsonage west of the Church. They decided it should cost about $25,000 and be of brick construction. The fact that the Congregation chose to build again with no more strings attached than that pays tribute to the effectiveness and faithfulness of the Building Committee, as well as it demonstrates the continued cooperative enterprise and harmony so characteristic of this congregation these many years. Significantly, again it was an older voting member (August Plautz) who made the motion to get parsonage construction under way.

The finance program developed by the Building Fund Committee was also unique. The Committee believed this program could be launched and sustained effectively without house-to-house canvassing through the Subscription Plan already in use since 1946 for the Building Fund and General Fund if the Church Council, the Building Committee and the Building Fund Committee would pre-pledge toward the program and thus lead the way for the rest of the members. It worked beautifully; the "people had a mind to work" and responded generously.

This same Committee also developed the details of a Certificate of Indebtedness program under legal counsel to guarantee the necessary funds without creating a mortgage. All certificates were purchased by members as needed; non-member residents offered to invest as well, but their assistance was not needed. Though the Congregation authorized a total indebtedness of $105,000.00, only $90,000.00 was needed. By the grace of God all indebtedness was liquidated and celebrated with a "mortgage burning" in the public services January 15, 1961. The congregation had determined to "do great things for the Lord and expect great things of the Lord." Consistent with this purpose it had registered very substantial increases in offerings for Missions and Charities, as well as for local needs. Today this same property is insured for $535,000.