125th Anniversary Perspective – 1979

Founded in 1854 in Port Washington, Wisconsin, Friedens has a rich heritage spanning nearly a century and a half. Below is an account of the first century and a quarter of our history. It is taken from a 1979 publication written to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Friedens Evangelical Church.

Contents

1. Introduction

As we worship in our beautiful sanctuary, let us reflect for a few moments upon our God-loving forbears. They gave up their homes in Germany and elsewhere. Before arriving in the Town of Port Washington they endured a long and dangerous sea voyage and a rugged overland passage.

Many of Port Washington's first inhabitants came from the eastern part of our country where they had first settled in America. Some German families were among the early settlers, but the greater influx of German emigrants came during the 1847-48 unrest in their Fatherland.

2. A Difficult Life

Life was not easy. Forests had to be cleared and homes needed to be built; food had to be provided and money was scarce. Greater than the physical suffering was the loss of spiritual guidance. Although three different itinerant Lutheran pastors did come to Port Washington occasionally over a period of a few years, (1854-1855) the spiritual needs of those first families were not fulfilled. They turned to the Schoolmaster, Günther by name, who led services in the log school-house and to Jacob Eckel, who led fellowship services in his home when no preacher was available.

3. Congregation Incorporated

By 1853 a Pastor Fleischer arrived and immediately proceeded to organize the congregation "according to the Laws of the State". Three public notices, December 25, 1853 to January 8, 1854, informed the people of a meeting. At the meeting it was decided that the Congregation should be incorporated as the CORPORATION OF THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN FRIEDENS CHURCH IN THE TOWN OF PORT WASHINGTON. A constitution was adopted and six superintendents were elected. The Incorporation papers are dated July 1, 1854 at 2 o'clock and were signed by Herman Schulties, Registrar.

4. Confirmations

It is interesting to note that on October 1, 1854 a class of children was confirmed by Pastor Weitbrecht. Among the names of the confirmands are Carl and Samuel Granther and five (5) Runkels. Pastor Weitbrecht encouraged the growing congregation to build a church. In May of 1856 a lot was bought from Richard Owens for the sum of $50.00. Although $63.00 was borrowed at a 12% interest rate and money was solicited from the congregation and well-to-do individuals, actual building was delayed until the spring of 1857 due to the inability of congregation members to agree upon design and furnishings. It was also difficult to unite a congregation of persons with diverse Christian backgrounds and to force American Lutheran thinking upon all members. Methodists were winning members and were meeting in private homes to conduct their worship services.

The struggling congregation had financial problems as well as internal problems and things went badly. On September 9, 1859 "on order of the Sheriff" a public sale was held. The sparsely furnished church was sold to Mr. Ernest Barth for $349.30 as he did not want the Church to change hands. He charged no interest and gave the struggling young congregation 10 years to pay the debt.

5. Draft Riot

During the early Civil War years, Port Washington was involved in a draft riot. Among those arrested was the lead singer Schmalensky. Because there was no organ, the lead singer was responsible for getting everyone to sing the same melody. This was difficult as there were as many different melodies as there were "homeland" churches represented.

Twenty one children were confirmed in 1864, the tenth anniversary year of the congregation. A new pulpit and altar were built for the festive occasion. Although finances were always a problem, the congregation grew. The Frauen Verein (Ladies Aid) was organized by Pastor Kleinert. Through the years this, the congregation's oldest organization has given financial aid for all major projects.

In 1872 Pastor Frank came to Port Washington. He served two congregations — Port Washington and St. Peter's, Saukville — as did Pastor Ernst until 1888 when St. Peter's became self sustaining.

In 1872 a massive, fortress like tower of field stone was added to the brick church. Alien the church was rebuilt in 1889, it was difficult to demolish the tower. The Frauen Verein purchased a bell for the new tower for the sum of $368.32. A member of the congregation climbed the hill every day to ring the bell which was one of the largest in the county.

6. Parsonage Built

The congregation dissolved in 1872 but was immediately reorganized as the German Evangelical Friedens Congregation of Port Washington, dropping the word "Lutheran".

Under efficient and forward looking leadership the congregation was ever building — not only membership but facilities to carry on a meaningful religious program for men, women and children.

In 1882 a parsonage was built and again the Frauen Verein contributed. The first record of officers and the first president was noted in 1884 with John Popelka, President; R. Stelling, Secretary; G. Günther, Treasurer. In September, 1884, Pastor Ernst was called to serve the congregation. His salary was $350.00 a year plus a free house and the use of the garden. Women were recognized as early as 1886 and were eligible for full membership. The membership was growing and facilities were becoming crowded.

A parochial school was being conducted. In 1887 it was decided to call it the Congregation School, and members were assessed $2.50 per year. It was difficult to collect the assessments — some members were dissatisfied and consequently four members who refused to pay lost their membership. Eventually they organized St. John's Lutheran Church.

7. A New Church And School

A new and larger church was needed to take care of the increasing religious programs of a growing congregation. As early as October, 1888, subscriptions were collected for the new church which was voted for by the congregation in April, 1889. The contract for $3225.00 with a Cedarburg firm did not include the materials for, or putting in, the foundation. This was the responsibility of the members of the congregation. The total cost of the building amounted to $7394.00. A used pipe organ bought for $300.00 from the Kilgen Company in St. Louis added to the beauty of the dedication service on October 9, 1889. Because of the building program, the rite of confirmation was celebrated at St. Peter's Church in Saukville.

A German school was conducted during the school year and during the summer months by Pastor Schrader. By 1892 a larger school building was needed. Efforts to raise money for a new school house were unsuccessful as the congregation did not want to take on more debts so soon after the new church was built. Not until 1896 were two lots adjacent to the Church bought for $570.00 from Mrs. Schreck. The agreement to build a new school building or parish hall was reached in January of 1900. However, the contract was not let until April of 1901 with definite stipulations as to placement in relation to the Church and to the parsonage.

Although the Union Cemetery had been founded in 1854, a committee of church members was appointed in 1894 to search for a three to five acre parcel of land for a church cemetery. Nothing suitable was found until 1899. At that time, the owner refused to sell, so the committee was disbanded and the plans were dropped.

By 1899 the parsonage was becoming inadequate. An addition was built and again the Ladies Aid gave financial assistance.

Women did not have voting rights at church meetings until 1903 when they were granted full church membership with voting rights.

8. 50th Anniversary

The second Sunday of September, 1904, was a celebration day. The 'congregation was commemorating its 50th Anniversary. As the congregation was ever growing and being aware of the changing needs of its members, a youth organization was organized in 1905 and a Maener Verein (Men's Club) in 1909. It is interesting to note that the organizations were required to pay for wood used to heat the meeting room.

The congregation voted "no" to the installation of electric lights in 1902. The question was again brought up and in 1905 the vote was "yes."

9. The First Organ

Although the congregation was growing in numbers and was making a spiritual impact upon the community, problems both small and large seemed to be a part of the growth. More money was needed for current expenses and for the janitor, the organist, and the organ pumper who was raised from $5.00 to $10.00 per year in 1910. In 1905 the organist was allowed fifty cents extra for funerals and weddings.

There were many suggestions regarding collection of dues. These included: only paid-up members could be buried from the church; new members to pay 1/4 of the yearly dues in advance; read names of those in arrears at the quarterly meetings. A 50% assessment of annual dues was levied in 1910 to pay debts.

Port Washington's population included people who could not speak or understand the German language. The Ladies Aid was instrumental in instituting English services at the school house. This helped to build church membership.

10. A New Pipe Organ

In preparation for the congregation's 60th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the church building in 1914, Reverend Lefkovics was asked to contact Andrew Carnegie "for rules to get help to buy a new organ." Mr. Carnegie promised to give $750.00. On April 19, 1914, a committee of Alex Kuhn, Sam Guenther and William Wilke was authorized to buy a new pipe organ. A 10 register organ was ordered from the Schuelke Company in Milwaukee for $1,600.00 less $100.00 allowance for the old organ. The Church and the parsonage were redecorated. Stained glass windows donated by various congregation members were installed and Anniversary Sunday was celebrated in September of 1914. Church services were held in the school house during the period of redecoration.

The church records indicate that a written agreement was drawn up to rent the upper room of the school house to School District No. 1 for nine months for the 1915-16 school year. This agreement was renewed for the following year. The School District was responsible for heating the building, for inside cleaning, for taking care of sidewalks and accident liability insurance. English Services.

Collection envelopes were used on a trial basis from 1916 to 1923 when the congregation voted to make the system permanent. By 1919 some members of the congregation were beginning to question the lack of English services. The question was brought up at a congregational meeting on the fifth of January, 1919. The vote was "no English services." In April, 1922, however, the congregation voted for English services one Sunday per month; in 1924 a trial period of three months was voted for English services two Sundays per month. In July of 1932 the congregation voted that "commencing on the first Sunday of September and regularly on every Sunday thereafter, as well as on Christmas and New Year's this congregation offer services in the English language, and that in addition thereto this congregation offer on the first, third and fifth Sunday of each month, as well as on Christmas and Easter, services in the German language and that the time of all such services be left to the discretion of the Pastor of this congregation, provided, however, that such services be held between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 12:00 noon."

English was becoming the language of the church. The German summer school was discontinued in 1926 for lack of attendance. The constitution was translated into English in 1930, the minutes were written in English instead of in German in 1932 and by 1934, the fifth Sunday of German services was eliminated. It was agreed that services in the German language would be offered on the first Sunday of each month and on the following Sundays: Easter, Pentecost, Reformation and Christmas.

In 1923, a committee of men and women was appointed to study the feasibility of remodeling the school house by adding 25 feet to the front and raising the old part. After a careful study the congregation concluded that the expense was too great for the possible benefits to be derived.

11. Church Name Changed

In 1934, Friedens Church, as a part of a denominational merger, became Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church. As a result of another merger in 1957, Friedens Church became a part of the United Church of Christ. Some congregation members unsuccessfully worked for a name change from "Friedens"' to "Peace."

After the use of the individual communion glasses was voted down in 1925, the traditional cup continued to be used for communion services until 1929. The beautiful silver chalice graces the altar-communion table at our communion services today and is frequently used at weddings or other group meetings or special services where the sacrament is served. A tradition begun in 1976 in recognition of Maundy Thursday, is the Agape Feast. The worship experience is in the church parlors with the congregation gathered about tables, a symbolic meal, hymns, Scriptures, prayer and the Lord's Supper served at the tables makes this symbolic of the Upper Room experience.

12. More Renovation

Although Friedens was never considered a wealthy congregation monetarily, it has always been wealthy in its faith in God, and in its deeply devoted leadership. and in its dedicated members who willingly gave physical and financial help. Again, a major project was voted. On March 5, 1933, the congregation voted (by 67-13) to "proceed to alter and add to its present church building a thirty-five foot addition; remodel the altar, pulpit and sanctuary; relocate the organ from the balcony to the west end (front of sanctuary), provide a choir space, replace necessary heating parts; provide basement stairway and carpeting." Although no further major projects were undertaken until 1952, money was needed for improvements, for the upkeep and repairs of church property and for organ repair and electrification.

Major renovation was again voted in 1952 to include: a new church roof, re-leading of stained glass windows, storm glass for windows, a new heating system, remodeling of the church basement and the rebuilding of the front wall and steps of the church. Shortly after this (1954) the sanctuary was again redecorated and the parsonage was remodeled. Because of the parking problems around the church, the property located at the southwest corner of Van Buren and Milwaukee Streets was bought and developed for a church-owned parking area.

The church council was reorganized in 1963 to include deacons and elders as prescribed by the new organization under the United Church of Christ.

Since the Congregational Church of Port Washington was also a part of the United Church of Christ, and since both they and Friedens were studying building needs, committees from both churches met (1969) to study the feasibility of a merger. There being no agreement, the committees were disbanded.

13. Generous Donations

Several large gifts were made to the Friedens Congregation. In 1960 Mr. Arthur Aggen donated money for new pews which were dedicated in March, 1961. Pew cushions were installed by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Shippam in December of 1970 in memory of Mr. Aggen. Upon Mr. Aggen's death in 1969, Friedens was again remembered with a gift of 60% of his estate.

In May, 1972, legal papers were signed accepting stock and cash from Mrs. Anna Goldberg and her late husband, Max, for a new parsonage in memory of husband Max Goldberg. The Aggen bequest was used toward the cost of the new Christian Education Building. The congregation was divided as to the fate of the old parsonage and the old Sunday School building until it was learned that code restrictions made it unfeasible to remodel either facility for church purposes. Both buildings were razed and dedication services for both new buildings were held on November 4, 1973.

1978 memorials from the Chester Dobberpuhl and Ernest Merzdorf families provided new pews and carpeting for the choir loft.

Continuing the policy of maintenance and preservation and beautification of the properties, the church sanctuary was redecorated in 1976, the outside trim painted in 1977. The church and the parsonage grounds were beautifully landscaped in 1974, and the parking lot was resurfaced in 1978.

14. 125 Years Of Dedication

The struggling congregation organized in 1854 with no church building, little money, but with an unshakeable faith in God has endured. The 125 years of Friedens United Church of Christ were not easy. During the early years had it not been for men and women whose strong faith in God was as much a part of their daily lives as making a living, the church might not have survived and nourished. These were strong men and women with a purpose for which they made sacrifices in money and in personal effort. It is interesting to note the names of early members whose descendents are still active in the congregation.

On October 6 and 7, 1979, as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the organizing of the congregation and the 90th anniversary of the present church building, let us remember and give thanks to our dedicated forebears whose belief in God and His spiritual support would not be denied and to those, who during the following years, have continued to build a congregation that has been a positive factor in the building of the City of Port Washington and in building congregations elsewhere. Sons of the congregation include Ernst Grauer, ordained in 1894; Carl Nagel, ordained in 1895, Carl Grauer, ordained in 1906; Louis Moessner, ordained in 1908, William Johnson, ordained in 1921, Darrel Schultz, ordained in 1960 and Luke Bocher, presently attending Eden Seminary.

On Anniversary Sunday, October 7, 1979, worshippers will be using new hymnals donated by Mr. George Zahn and accompanied by the newly rebuilt and reconditioned pipe organ paid for by donations from members and friends of the congregation.