Pella Lutheran Church

Historical info of Pella Lutheran Church

Historical info of Pella Lutheran Church

Name/Title

Pella Lutheran Church

Scope and Content

Historical information on Pella Lutheran Church for 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Waupun, WI. *Facts are typped and was scanned with mistakes, if any, left uncorrected. HISTORY OF PELLA LUTHERAN CHURCH Seventy seven years ago in 1899, a small group of Lutherans banded together and decided to form a congregation to be called "Pella". For a short time they met in their homes. Rev. O. Hanser came from Horicon to conduct services. Later a church was purchased from the Baptist congregation, formerly known as the Free Will Baptist Church, and located on the corner of Franklin and S. Madison Streets. Charter members and their families included Albert Voight, Theodore Gill Sr., Christoph Cords, Julius Voight, August Zohr, William Giese, Charles Buchto, and Mrs. Carl Luebke. From 1899 to 1903, the congregation was served by the Rev. E. Monhardt of the town of Burnett. His successor, the Rev. A.J. Grothe, of North Burnett, served Pella for eight years. Pella's first resident pastor was the Rev. William Lochner, who was ordained and installed July 21, 1912. In 1916, he accepted a call to Pittsburgh and the Rev. Karl Ries became pastor at Pella. During Pastor Ries' tenure, the Congregation grew and improvements were made to the church building. On May 22, 1927, the Rev. Otto E. Mueller was installed as pastor and he served longer than any other pastor. During his service, the congregation installed its first pipe organ. Up to that time the singing was accompanied by a hand pump organ. For most of his 22 years as pastor, the home or the west side of the old church on E. Franklin Street was the parsonage. Pastor Mueller resigned and retired in May 1948. Following his resignation, the Rev. B.C. Gumz took his place and was installed May 30, 1948. In the fall of that year a-parsonage at 414 Carrington St. was purchased and completely remodeled for the pastor and his family. In 1949, the congregation began seriously planning for a new church building. Even though the costs were considered high, the church was built at 315 S. Madison St. at a cost of $150,000 including furnishings. Dedication services were held Sept. 17, 1950. During Pastor Gumz's pastorate the congregation experienced a steady growth necessitating more space for educational purposes and two houses south of the church, the Johnson and Cleveland homes, were purchased. After serving Pella for nine years, Pastor Gumz accepted a pastorate in Manitowoc, and the Rev. Ralph J. Hess was called. During his five years of ministry, the church began to plan for a new educational unit. In May 1962, Rev. Hess asked to be relieved of his duties to become a full time chaplain at Central State Hospital, and his assistant, Rev. M. A. Zapf was called to North Burnett. The congregation issued a call to Rev. W. C. Stoehr of Sheboygan. He was installed in July, 1962, and still is serving as the pastor. Plans for the educational building were finalized during the winter of 1962-63 and ground breaking ceremonies were held May 19, 1963. It was completed the following year and dedication services were held In June, 1964. Additional properties were purchased to be used as parking areas, and a lot across from the educational building on Madison Street was purchased 2 as a site for the new parsonage. Rudolph Pautsch was named chairman of the parsonage building committee and after much preliminary work, a colonial type structure was completed in Sept. 1970. As the congregation grew, it became evident that more professional help was needed. A retired parochial school teacher was hired part time as director of education and music. Three years later, a full time director was hired in the person of Edward Bernthal. A pipe organ was needed for worship service and John Thomas, head of the University of Wis. Stevens Point, organ department helped lay the ground work which resulted in the purchase of a 29 rank Reuter organ. The organ was installed in August, 1974 and was dedicated with special services and concerts Sunday, Sept. 29, 1974. Pella Lutheran Church celebrated its 75th anniversary with special services of praise and thanksgiving Sunday, Oct. 6. Two morning services were held with the Rev. Karl Barth, president of the South Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod conducting the service, with the Rev. Otto E. Mueller, former pastor, assisting. The reunion service was held in the after noon and invitations were sent to all former members. Special music was provided by the Choirs. A gift of $5,000 was sent to the Korean Lutheran church, in thanksgiving for the many blessings received by the Pella congregation. Only six pastors have served Pella during its 77 years, and only one, Rev. Lichner, is deceased. At the time of the 75th anniversary, 1,094 baptisms had been performed, 1,124 persons were confirmed, 354 marriages were solemnized and 303 persons were given a Christian burial. Member-numbered 1,210 persons of whom 850 were communicants. Activities in the congregation include youth bowling, basket ball, volleyball, horseshoe league, and slow pitch softball, plus the church projects. The congregation has made its school rooms and gym available for the CESA 13 special education students.

Acquisition

Accession

2016.0075

Source or Donor

Waupun Area Chamber of Commerce

Acquisition Method

Donation