May 3, 2015
In Our History – Fire damages church - Plans were underway for the celebration of our 35th anniversary. These plans were halted when on the evening of May 4, 1925 a fire broke out doing extensive damage to the sanctuary. This tragedy became an opportunity to add 23 feet to the back of the church, increasing seating by 160. New furnishings included the marble altar donated by Miss Magdeline Brandt, altar cross donated by Mrs. August Wilke, and altar candle holders donated by Mr. and Mrs. Otto Abel. At this same time a stained glass window was commissioned by the Richter family in memory of August and Alvina Richter. The remodeled church was dedicated later that year on December 13, 1925.
May 10, 2015
In Our History – Woman’s suffrage ratified May 10, 1982 - During the late 70’s there had been several attempts to pass woman’s suffrage with little success. Then in the early 80’s Richard Arnold chaired a committee that produced a significant revision of our constitution. One of the changes provided women voting membership. The new constitution was ratified on May 10, 1982 with 36 votes for and 4 against. At that voter’s meeting all present were asked to ‘affirm their intentions to fulfill the duties of a voting member’. After receiving affirmation they stepped forward to sign the new constitution. Forty seven signatures were received including several women. Other changes to the constitution created our current Parish Planning Council. Dorothy Marschke became the first woman to chair a board. Many women appeared on the newly created boards and began reporting at voters’ meeting. In June 1984 Esther Eye became the 1st woman PPC officer as Financial Secretary. In June 2010 Leah Van Dassor became the first woman president. What a nice coincidence that we celebrate the anniversary of woman’s suffrage on Mother’s Day.
May 17, 2015
In Our History – Anniversary of organization – On May 26, 1890 The German Evangelical Lutheran Saint Stephanus Congregation, Unaltered Augsburg Confesses was organized by members of the Trinity Congregation. Pastor Richard von Niebelschuetz was called as our first Pastor and served for 16 years. As a congregation we have joyfully remembered and celebrated this anniversary. In 2015 an anniversary book was created to mark the 25th anniversary. It was produced entirely in German. Subsequent books were created to mark the 50th, 75th, and 100th anniversaries. We know the church was preparing to celebrate its 35th anniversary when a fire delayed those plans. Records can be found for plans to mark the 80th and 90 anniversaries. As we celebrate our 125th year let us give thanks. Soli Deo Gloria.
May 24, 2015
In Our History – St. Stephanus and WWII – As we celebrate Memorial Day let us remember that during World War II one hundred and thirty three members of St. Stephanus served in the armed services. The following were killed in action.
On Palm Sunday 1944 a service flag was presented to the congregation by the Nurse Corps of the MN State Guard. The service included a roll call of all members of our church in service. The flag was donated by Mrs. Paul Schauffert. It was six feet by four feet. One blue star for each service person formed a cross with gold stars in the center for those killed in action.
May 31, 2015
In Our History – The Sentinel – From May 1943 to September 1945 a small group of women from the congregation edited a 6 to 8 page newsletter called ‘The Sentinel’ that was mailed to our members serving in the armed forces. There were 133 members serving and this was before computers and printers. Copies were typed, mimeographed, addressed and mailed. It must have been wonderful for our service men and women to receive this news from home. Each issue was filled with a message from the Pastor and then pages of short newsy updates, jokes, and letters from servicemen. These letters were received from around the globe; ‘somewhere in The Philippines’, ‘somewhere in Australia’, somewhere in France’, one was just from ‘somewhere’. Each month there were updates of weddings which took place all over the states, depending on where the groom was stationed before going overseas. Issues of The Sentinel are archived and represent a unique period in history and a unique service in response to the time.