120th Anniversary Perspective – 1974

The early pioneer families coming to Port Washington endured the hardships that most settlers faced as they came to the frontier to forge a better way of life. With meager resources they built their homes and founded a community, but missing were the ringing of the church bells, the melodious sounds of the organ, the singing of the Christian hymns and the preaching of God's Word. Itinerant pastors were not sufficient to meet the spiritual needs of these God-fearing people, so as was often true on the frontier, the first sustaining spiritual leadership was provided by a school teacher. A Mr. Guenther, small in stature and a tailor by trade from Germany, filled the double role of teacher and spiritual leader, baptizing, burying and celebrating the sacrament of communion.

It was Pastor Fleischer who gathered the evangelical Christians of Port Washington and in January, 1854 organized a congregation that was incorporated according to the laws of the state of Wisconsin, Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church. The first confirmation class composed of thirteen children was received into the fellowship of the church on October I of that same year. Services of worship in these early days were held in the public school house.

The decision to have a church building came a step closer to reality in May, 1856 with the purchase of a lot at a cost of fifty dollars; construction began the following spring. Donations and volunteer help were not sufficient to meet building needs. Though money was scarce, a source to borrow $63.00 at 12% interest was found. Two members were appointed to solicit funds from the wealthier members and from other churches.

Disagreement among the membership as to detail design of the new church building (for each had in his mind's eye the fond recollection of his home church), denominational interference on the question of doctrine, a new confessional group luring away members, weakened the unity of the congregation and brought on a consequent financial crises.

Subsequently the church was sold at a sheriff's sale in September 1859. Mr. Ernst Barth, himself one of the leaders, not wanting the church to fall into the hands of strangers, bought the new building for $349.30 and arranged for the congregation to repay his purchase price over a ten year period.

The congregation had no organ and so a cantor was appointed to lead in the congregational singing. To unite these strong-willed German peoples of many different native dialects into a harmonious singing body was no easy task. The first song leader too was a school teacher.

The tenth anniversary was celebrated April 3, 1864. For the festive occasion a new altar and pulpit were installed. The confirmation class on this day numbered 22 young people.

Early pastorates were short; there were interims with no resident pastor. On June 8, 1872 the congregation reorganized itself as Friedens Evangelical Church. Friedens Church and St. Peter's Church, Saukville were one charge and were served by the same pastor until 1888 when St. Peter's congregation was strong enough to be self-sustaining.

A massive tower was added to the church in 1872; the bell in the steeple was provided by the Ladies' Aid at a cost of $368.32.

A commendable forward step was taken during the two and one-half year ministry of Pastor G. Ebling with the building of a parsonage next to the church in 1882.

Pastor E. C. Ernst began pastoral duties in September, 1884 and labored diligently to increase the membership. Along with some of the membership, it was his hope to raise sufficient funds beyond the $600 needed for the pastor's salary to also support a teacher for a parochial school.

Not all members supported the idea of a parochial school; July 22, 1888 four members withdrew their membership over this issue and became the nucleus for St. John's Lutheran Church of this city.

Friedens congregation had grown; the desire for a larger church building resulted in a contract being let in April 7, 1889 with total building costs amounting to $7,394.85. A grateful people, having given of time, talent and treasure, gathered to dedicate to the glory of God a completed church building, October 13, 1889. Able leadership during this time was supplied by Pastor Ed Schrader.

Though the need for an adequate building for church school use was expressed before 1890, it was not to become a reality until the turn of the century. It was in 1901 that the congregation undertook to build a two-story brick unit complimenting the church in design on the adjoining lot purchased some years prior for $570.00. Two large rooms served as convenient meeting areas for group meetings and church school programming; total building cost was $2,862.00. The unused portion of the lot provided and informal park area serving all church buildings.

The first vote for electric lights for the church was defeated in 1902 but were voted in three years later. It was about this time that women were received into full church membership and a youth organization begun.

1906 — Rev. G. Erhart is pastor. It was voted that caskets not be opened at church funerals. During his pastorate central heating was installed in the church; the parsonage received an addition; a central hot-water system and electric lights were installed. A brotherhood was organized, concrete walks were placed on church property and a concrete steps built at the front church entrance.

Pastor S. Lefkovics assumed pastoral duties February, 1912. In preparation for the 60th anniversary September 6, 1914 the church and parsonage were painted and the church interior was redecorated. A new ten register pipe organ was installed by the Schuelke Organ Company at a cost of $1,600.00.

Offering envelopes were approved in 1915; in 1919 it was voted not to have any English services — it was not until 1924 that English services were introduced on a once and then twice a month basis. German summer school was discontinued in 1926.

A basement constructed under the church and furnace improvements cost $8,405.45 in 1925. The first individual communion set was purchased in 1929; the 75th anniversary was observed. The constitution was translated into English in 1930 but it was voted that there would be no change in the church name.

The Rev. H. Armin Fleer was called as pastor in 1932. Major remodeling (1933) and an addition of 35 feet to the church was completed at a cost of $13,000. The organ was moved from the church balcony and placed in the new chancel area; the organ chamber with its decorative pipes was built in the choir loft centrally located behind the altar and pulpit. Because of the denominational merger (1934), the church was now a part of the Evangelical and Reformed Church.

In 1939 the Rev. F. L. Rodenbeck began his pastorate here. The events of subsequent years report various remodeling and redecorating projects to the parsonage and other church buildings.

The 90th anniversary was observed (1944) with sons of the congregation in the ministry and former pastors invited as guests. Seventy-seven men and women from the congregation were in the service of World War II. The congregation reported 700 members.

Weekly bulletins were introduced into the worship service in 1946. An electric hot water heater was installed in the parsonage (1947). Daily Vacation Bible School was started in 1950. Synod apportionment quota was met in full.

The Rev. C. H. Boland assumed his pastoral duties at Friedens Church in 1962. Hobby shop classes were begun for youth and adults. A comprehensive $45,000 renovation project was undertaken involving sanctuary redecoration, a new church heating system, ceramic tile on basement walls, a modern kitchen and parsonage remodeling. The 100th anniversary was observed in 1954. The art glass sanctuary windows, installed for the 60th anniversary, were now re-leaded and protected with storm glass.

As a result of the denominational merger in 1957, Friedens Church became a part of the United Church of Christ.

With the purchase of property immediately to the west of the church (Milwaukee and Van Buren Streets) space was provided for the development of a hard-surfaced parking lot. The financial indebtedness incurred was liquidated in 1966 when the congregation met the challenge to raise sufficient funds to match the gift of an anonymous donor.

Pastor Philip J. Schowalter and family moved into the freshly redecorated parsonage September 15, 1967. With the help of the Conference an in-depth study was undertaken regarding the Christian education program of Friedens Church. Recommendations were made relative to curriculum and how to adapt present facilities to greater usefulness. A Christian education committee was established. It soon became apparent that adaptation had its limits and that major remodeling or additional facilities were necessary for effective programming.

Memorial gifts in 1968 provided four sets of paraments, including the pastor's stole, corresponding with the colors for the seasons of the church year. Subsequently the choir also secured stoles to compliment the church paraments. With the adoption of pew communion in 1969, memorial gifts provided a service of eight bread and wine trays made of brass-tone polished aluminum.

A new two-car garage with white aluminum siding replaced the former yellow brick structure behind the church that had over the years served as a dwelling, school house, and in more recent times a garage. Creature comfort was provided by upholstered pew cushions, a gift from Lillian and Roy Shippam in loving memory of Arthur A. Aggen who had donated the pews in 1954; they were installed in time for Christmas services December 1970.

With the death of Arthur A. Aggen in March of 1969 Friedens Church became heir to $110,000.

As a result of the United Church of Christ emphasis, "The Local Church and God's Mission", the church council, in May 1969, appointed a planning committee to define the role of Friedens Church for this time. A part of the task was to evaluate present program and to make positive suggestions for short-range and long-range goals.

Congruent to the study undertaken at Friedens Church were the serious efforts of a joint study committee composed of members from Friedens Church and Congregational Church during the span of time from August 1969 to February 1970. Circumstances which precipitated the appointment of such a study were the resignation of Pastor Yons at the Congregational Church, some indications of building needs there and our own study and projection for remodeling or major building needs.

The time seemed right for a feasibility study regarding joint program planning, including a common plan for meeting physical plant needs. Serious study and research took place; two separate properties proved to be more of a liability than an asset. The committee reported that while common programming might begin immediately, a projection should be made for a common new facility in the near future.

When the report, based on the above findings, was shared with the respective parent bodies, the proposal to merge was turned down. Consequently each church continued to further its individual plans — Congregational Church calling a new pastor and subsequently entering into an extensive remodeling program and Friedens continuing its study and ultimate building program.

In May of 1970 a report was made to the council and subsequently to the congregation. Physical needs in the areas of Christian education were emphasized as a concern to receive top priority. Further needs highlighted in the report were — church office, pastor's study, counseling rooms, secretarial space, storage of equipment and supplies and rest rooms.

Continued study revealed that existing buildings did not lend themselves to easy remodeling and at best would not be adequate. Consultation with various builders made it evident that more professional help would be required to determine the feasibility of making changes to old buildings and to make certain that state code requirements would be met.

A Building Committee was appointed in October, 1970. Their study underscored that the same needs existed and that architectural consultation would be required. The congregational meeting January 10, 1971 authorized the hiring of an architect to draw up plans to meet present and future needs. The feasibility study carried out by Stubenrauch and Associates of Sheboygan was presented to the congregation in June, 1971 and positively received A more detailed plan calling for remodeling and new construction was not accepted by the congregation in January, 1972; more study and another proposal was called for.

On May 21, 1972 a revised plan was approved. The general contract was awarded to D. M. & C. M. Frey, Inc., of Hartford, Wisconsin. Ground-breaking took place October8, 1972. The new unit, attached to the southwest side of the existing church building, consists of four major class rooms/multi-purpose rooms, washrooms, a pastor's study, office and equipment room. It has street level access; the large foyer leads into the church sanctuary. Many of the furnishings are new.

A fitting plaque attached to the wall just inside the entry reads: "To the glory of God by Arthur A. Aggen and the Members of this church". The cost of the new facility, including landscaping is about $168,000.00; indebtedness is $30,000.At a special congregational meeting in August, 1972 the congregation accepted a monetary gift from Mrs. Anna Goldberg and her late husband Max, for the purpose of constructing a new parsonage. Subsequent plans were developed; construction was undertaken by Antoine Builders, Inc., in September, with basic completion to the two-story Colonial style, four bedroom manse in April 1973. Total construction cost was $40,000.

Upon completion of both structures, the Sunday school building (1901) and the former parsonage (1882) were razed. A painting, a gift to Friedens Church, of the former parsonage can be seen in the foyer of the new church addition.

The new facilities were dedicated at a special service of worship on Sunday, November 4, 1973. The Rev. Roy Alberswerth, Southeast Association Minister, was the guest speaker. An open-house of both buildings was also a part of the program of the day. Formal landscaping was not completed until the summer of 1974.

To be sure, major programs of this nature involve the cooperation — time, talent and treasure — of many individuals, however, major planning and detail decision making must be left to a smaller group, a budding committee. The Church Building Committee — Mrs. Orvill Bathke, Mrs. Samuel Beer, Mr. Luke Bocher, Mr. Chester Dobberpuhl, Mr. Fred Gall, Miss Edna Guenther, Mr. Warren Hadler, Mr. Ed Kohn, Mrs. Harvey Kowalke -Secretary, Mrs. Robert Eischen Legate, Mr. Olaf Nielsen, Mr. James Schmit - Treasurer, Mr. Francis Swatek, Pastor Philip Schowalter, Mr. William Travis- Chairman, Mr. Richard Westerbeke.

The Parsonage Building Committee — Mrs. Anna Goldberg, Miss Anna Guenther, Mrs. Myron Johansen - Secretary, Mr. Walter Kruke - Treasurer, Mr. Walter Schaefer - Chairman, Pastor Philip J. Schowalter.

Not all facts, figures and names can be included in a brief history. But in the 120 years of existence many lives have been touched by the ministry of Friedens Church. Of the five sons sent into the Christian ministry, one is living today, the Rev. Carl H. Nagel, Kerrville, Texas, now in his 101st year. The only living former pastor, the Rev. Christopher H. Boland living in retirement in Burr Oak, Michigan.

The commitment and dedication of faithful men and women have given us a heritage that is rich and colorful. The challenge to take up the torch and be about a ministry that shows concern for persons is ours. We have been provided good tools, the opportunities for spiritual growth and service were never greater. We are now making the history which will be written tomorrow. God grant that we may be true to our calling!

— May 15, 1974