April 5, 2015
In Our History – Before she passed, Doris Durkee Heidorn was a member of the 125th anniversary committee. When we talked about our St. Stephanus memories she had so many. There was one Easter memory that she mentioned several times and that was the Easter Lillie Cross. The cross was a metal frame well over 5 feet high and constructed to hold more than 100 individual blossoms. It was a gift from Raymond and Helen Snyder in honor of Helen’s brother, Harold Wurdell, who was killed in World War II. Ray, a welding instructor, fabricated the frame and the lilies were purchased from Dey Brothers Floral. We can find only one picture in the archives of this display at the front of the church. If you have one and would be willing to share please contact the office.
April 12, 2015
In Our History – Today is the anniversary of the April 12, 1992 dedication of the St. Stephen fresco in the lobby. This is one of the many blessings that followed the damage done by the 1990 wind storm and subsequent remodeling. The new entry and annex provided an empty wall that called to artist, Karla Faith Ness. Karla was a member at that time and approached the congregations with a proposal to create a fresco. Karla worked with Pastor Siedenburg, Judy Brinkman, Gloria and Howard Schultz, and Doris and Philander Durkee to develop a theme. It was decided to depict the story of St. Stephen from the book of Acts. Historically frescos were commissioned in an age when the majority of people were illiterate and told a story in a series of scenes. Consequently, the St. Stephen’s mural is meant to be “read” left to right. The creation of a fresco is a technical and time consuming process. A series of historically accurate sketches were developed followed by full scale oil paintings. From these tracings were taken to maintain proportions. The wall was prepared with two layers of plaster. The image was then painted with a third layer while the plaster is wet. Colors were mixed into the plaster and painted on top to be absorbed as it dried. To avoid premature drying the mural was painted in small sections approx 2’x2’. This is a true work of art and one we should not take for granted. We are blessed by its presence.
April 19, 2015
In Our History – April 9, 1948 was the first meeting of a society for “social and other projects” in the congregation. Until an official name was chosen they were called the Mixed Couples Society. The name proved a challenge and was discussed monthly until November when they narrowed the options to: Couples Club, Friends, and The Beau Knots. At the last minute a new name was suggested. The Mixers was chosen “by a good margin’. Prior to having a name the group agreed to not restrict membership to married couples, not collect dues, and to restrict lunch to dessert and coffee (with noted exceptions). This was a wonderful group to research because they took careful minutes which were consolidated and preserved for almost 20 years. Early members included Gene and Dorothy Stach, Ron and Audry Guith, Russell and Gertrude Anderson, Herbert and Delores Wachholtz, and many more. Average monthly attendance was 25-50 people. Social activities included sleigh rides, hiking, scavenger hunts, roller skating, volleyball, and bowling. They were also active volunteers including providing an annual fish pond at the congregation picnic, serving at banquets, and staffing the nursery during 10:30 services. They provided financial support to many including Walther League basketball uniforms, and furnishings for the new education center. An interesting entry in July 1949 notes the following picnic expenditures: $7.52 beer, $4.75 pop, $1.00 ice, $0.33 peanuts and $3.75 dixie cups. No further expenditures for beer could be found. The mixers met into the 1970’s when they informally dissolved.
April 26, 2015
In Our History – The first St. Stephanus structure, two years before the church, was a school house. This two-story structure included a steeple with a bell. The ringing of this bell marked the school day for students for more than 50 years. In 1951 children would begin attending the newly dedicated Central Lutheran School on Lexington. On April 14, 1957 the parish school bell tolled for the last time. That is when the original school house was torn down to make room for the education center and parsonage. The bell currently resides on a farm in Wisconsin where it is used to communicate with family and workers as they go about their day. This seems a fitting retirement for a school bell.
While the current church building was completed in 1981there was no bell in the steeple until 1986. In December of that year a new bell was dedicated. It was a gift from Mrs. Gottfried Hartlieb in memory of her husband. The bell was purchased for $200. It weighs 1800 lbs and is inscribed “Soli Deo Gloria”. It continues to enhance our worship experience to this day.