to Read More - St. John`s of Newburg

Jesus Christ
Yesterday, Today, Forever!
Church and School (1861)
Church (1926), School (1906) and New School in Background (1957)
The New Church (2001) attached to the School (1957 and 1979)
THE EARLY BEGINNINGS
“In all places where I record My name, I will come and bless thee.”
Ex. 20, 24 (KJV)
One hundred and fifty years ago, the Lord also caused his name to be recorded at the place which now is the
village of Newburg, and true to his promise, his name has come and blessed many who came to hear his Word.
The village of Newburg was founded in 1847, when Barton Salisbury sent one of his workmen by the name of
Watson to the place where the Village of Newburg now stands, to build a log house.
In the spring of 1848, he came to the place himself, built a dam, a sawmill, and a gristmill.
These were the beginnings of Newburg. The founder was assisted by two nephews who shared their uncle’s vim
and push. They built some of the first houses, among them the first hotel, the Webster House.
It was during the construction of the latter that Barton Salisbury lost his life. He was working on the roof when
one of the rafters broke, and he fell down into the basement. He was mortally injured and died soon afterwards.
He intended to make Newburg the most important place in the county, but his life was cut short, and his vision
never materialized.
At this same time German Lutherans began to settle in this area. The Lutheran Church in America at the time,
being in its infancy, had not the men or means to serve the scattered settlers with the Word and Sacrament.
Among the preachers who came through the area were many false preachers who tried to draw them into their
fold. Some people were misled. Others were aware of these preachers and could not be swayed.
Those who remained steadfast, whom the Lord selected to be the founders of our congregation, were:
Founders
________
Place of Birth
____________
Johann D. Bruns
Jacob Bloecher
Michael Geidel
Herman Jahr
Jacob Schmidt
Friedrich Seidemann
Traugott Seidemann
Heinrich Wilkens
Carl Maercklein
Johann Fuchs
Kingdom of Hannover
Duchy of Hessen-Darmstadt
Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg
Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg
Duchy of Hessen-Darmstadt
Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg
Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg
Kingdom of Hannover
Pommerania
Duchy of Hessen-Darmstadt
Year
of Immigration
________________
1845
1852
1844
1847
1849
1853
1853
1849
1852
1848
Residence in 1860
________________
Town of Farmington
Town of Saukville
Town of Farmington
Town of Farmington
Town of Saukville
Town of Farmington
Town of Farmington
Town of Farmington
Newburg
Town of Saukville
Before a congregation had been founded, these early settlers, in order to not be without the Word and
Sacrament entirely, called on pastors living at some distance to serve them. This was only at rare intervals.
Those Lutherans living in the Town of Farmington were served by Pastor Kluegel of Milwaukee and met at the
home of Mr. Geidel, and those living in and around Newburg were served by Pastor Dietrichsen, also of
Milwaukee, and met in the school house of Newburg.
1
THE ORGANIZATION
PASTOR J.H. ROELL, 1859-1863
Meanwhile, Pastor J.H. Roell came from Port Richmond, New Jersey, and joined (1858) the Wisconsin Synod,
which had been organized on December 8, 1849. He was first stationed at Port Washington. From there he
came to West Bend. After he had organized a congregation there in 1858, he seems to have directed his
attention immediately to Newburg. The following year, on April 2, 1859, the Lutherans of Newburg and
vicinity met under his guidance and organized the “Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische St. Johannis-Gemeinde”
(translated: “German Evangelical Lutheran St. John’s Congregation”). The first trustees elected were: Johann
Bruns (secretary), Carl Maercklein, Johann Fuchs, and Pastor Roell as president. The Articles of Incorporation
are recorded in the Court House of Washington County, at West Bend, in Vol. A, Record of Religious Societies,
on pages 37 and 38.
At the 1860 Synod meeting, held in Fond du Lac, May 31-June 7, St. John’s-Newburg, Muskego, St. PetrasMilwaukee, Platteville, and Ahnapee (Algoma) were accepted as members of the Wisconsin Synod. The
following year Friedrich Seidemann was the first lay-delegate from St. John’s to attend a synod convention,
which was held in Watertown, Wisconsin, on May 25, 1861.
No sooner had the congregation been organized when they felt the need of a place of worship. The members
were not abundantly blessed with earthly goods, but God had given them a good measure of faith, which gave
them courage to undertake the building of a church. Accordingly, in 1860, the resolution was passed and a
building committee of five members was elected: J. Bruns, H. Wilkens, H. Jahr, J. Bloecher, and G. Zinke.
Two lots were bought from Simon H. Van der Cook, in the Van der Cook Addition to the Village of Newburg,
for $150.00. The deed contains these interesting provisions, to-wit:
“Provided always, that said lots shall be used only for purpose of erecting thereon a Church and such buildings
requirable for the congregation of said society. Provided also, that said Trustees and their successors in office
shall have no power of selling said Lots or part thereof, neither to lease them, nor the buildings which shall
hereafter be erected thereon, without the consent of each and every one and singular member of said society,
so that a veto of one member shall make such sale or lease null and void. And if said society shall be dissolved,
or the members thereof withdraw as not leaving even one member, then said Lots and the buildings thereon
shall belong to the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Wisconsin and adjoining States, and for that purpose
only to be used by any other society of the same name and kind.”
At the Columbus synod meeting (June 14-18, 1862), the following report was recorded:
”Pastor Roell submitted that his Newburg congregation in connection with the building of its church had
adopted a by-law and obtained legal sanction of it, to the effect that the new building would become the property
of the synod in case the congregation would disband or assume another name than Evangelical Lutheran. Such
a by-law, however, was not approved by synod, it being objected that synod in no case was after the earthly
goods and property of its congregations, that it must not even place itself in a bad light, as though it were seeking
earthly profit and worldly power; that it rather must detest and abhor the attempt of other denominations and
synods in this way to obtain the rule over congregations, and that its duty is to silence every pretext of
congregations that are suspicious of synod’s obtaining their property when they become members.”
2
On June 20, 1862, the Wisconsin Synod executed a document relinquishing all its rights under the provisions
of the deed. The following is a translation of the original document:
“The Evan.- Luth. Synod of Wisconsin and other states certifies herewith that they will relinquish their rights
to the church of the Ev. Luth. Congregation in Newburg, Washington Co., WI, and that the mentioned
congregation is herewith entitled to change or have changed the here-mentioned modification in their bill of sale.”
Johannes Bading, President.
J. D. Huber, Treasurer.
Phil. Koehler, Secretary.
Watertown, WI., 20 June 1862.
On these lots a church building measuring 32x44x20 feet was erected, the cornerstone of which was laid June
16, 1861. The speakers on this occasion were the former President of the Wisconsin Synod, Pastor Johann
Muehlhaeuser and Pastor Meumann. The church was not completed until January 1, 1862. Though there was
no furniture, the building was immediately used for worship. When, during the spring and summer of this year,
altar, pulpit, baptismal font, and pews had been procured, the church was dedicated by Pastor Roell with the
assistance of Pastors Phillip Koehler and Jacob Conrad to the service of the Triune God, August 13, 1862.
Pastor Koehler preached in the German language, while Pastor Conrad delivered an English sermon. It goes
without saying that this was a day of great rejoicing for the little congregation. Their hearts’ desire, to have a
place for worship, was fulfilled. Fitly could they express their joy with the words of the Psalmist:
“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young, even thine altars,
O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.” Ps. 84, 1-3 (KJV)
This building served the congregation for sixty-four years. In the record of the congregation, the cost of the
church is given at approximately $2,200.00. There are four receipts in the files of the congregation, signed by
T. E. Van der Cook, which read “on payment of church contract,” totaling $1,137.26. T.E. Van der Cook later
built (1864) St. John’s Church in West Bend. There are also several other buildings in Newburg that could
have been built by him. Mr. Van der Cook died in 1869, and he is buried in the Newburg Union cemetery.
The following year, 1863, Pastor Roell became known as one leading an immoral life. On the basis of the
charges brought against him, he was deposed by this and the West Bend congregations, and was also ousted
from the Synod. Later Pastor E. Hoyer records that President J. Bading in 1883 received a letter from a Pastor
Holke, in which Pres. Bading was advised that Pastor Roell repented on his deathbed. Though Pastor Roell’s
conduct is deeply to be deplored, yet he must be given credit for the excellent work of organization he did here.
It was through him that the Lord guided our congregation so that it became affiliated with a church body, the
Wisconsin Synod, whose aim and object is to teach the Word of God in truth and purity. For this we are deeply
indebted to the grace of God.
3
THE DEVELOPMENT
PASTOR G. VORBERG, 1863-1865
Not long after Pastor Roell’s departure, God provided this congregation with a faithful
servant in the person of Pastor G. Vorberg, who was installed December 22, 1863.
Pastor Vorberg introduced the system of keeping records of all official acts, such as
baptisms, confirmation, communion, marriages, and burials. He also made a record of
all such acts which had taken place prior to that date, and of which no entry had been
made. Since his tenure, minutes are also kept of all meetings. In a meeting on February
1, 1864, he proposed a new constitution, which was accepted, and the old one was
burned. At one time trouble seemed to have arisen because some members neglected
to pay the sums they had pledged for the liquidation of the congregation’s debts.
Stringent resolutions were passed, but it seems the matter was finally satisfactorily
settled. During his pastorate here at St. John’s, Northwestern College in Watertown
was established in 1865. Later in 1866, he along with Gausewitz, Mayeroff, and others, were elected to the first
Board of Trustees, then called Northwestern University.
After two years of service here, Pastor Vorberg received a call from St. Matthew’s congregation of Milwaukee.
St. John’s congregation was loath to let him go. Before Pastor Vorberg left, he recommended Pastor C.
Gausewitz of Port Washington, who was called in a meeting of November 13, 1865.
PASTOR CARL GAUSEWITZ, 1865-1872
Pastor Gausewitz entered his new field of duties the last Thursday of the year 1865.
During his pastorate of six years only the regular routine business occupied the
meetings. It should be noted that Gausewitz was a confessional Lutheran and a close
friend of Johann Bading, president of the Wisconsin Synod. Gausewitz was one of the
representatives at the colloquy between the Missouri and Wisconsin synods on
October 22, 1868. It was here that the two synods achieved complete agreement in
doctrine and practice.
Pastor Gausewitz was called by the Zum Kripplein Christi Church in the Town of
Herman, Dodge County, Wisconsin.
PASTOR ERNST MAYERHOFF, 1872-1883
Before Pastor Gausewitz left, he installed his successor, Pastor Ernst Mayerhoff, on
the 11th Sunday after Trinity, 1872.
In 1874, the congregation bought a bell from the John Stuckstede & Bro. Foundry of
St. Louis, MO., at the cost of $320.90. Jacob Bloecher is mentioned as being especially
instrumental in securing the bell. The bell was received for installation in the week of
December 14, 1874. Five years later it cracked, and was sent back to the foundry to
be recast. On a bill of August 18, 1880, we find that to 641½ pounds of old metal, 51½
pounds of new metal were added, giving the bell proper a total weight of 693 pounds.
The cost of recasting was $38.53, which was paid by the Frauenverein (Ladies’ Society).
4
This same bell was placed in the second church tower in 1926, and in the
third church tower in 2001. It has served the congregation for 129 years.
In a meeting of February 17, 1882, Traugott Seidemann reported the
purchase of about one acre of land lying northwest of the church property
and adjacent to it, for the sum of $125.00. This land was bought for a private
cemetery of the congregation. In regard to the method of burial, it was
decided that the graves should be made in rows in the order in which the
deaths occur. Married people were permitted to reserve a burial place beside
their deceased spouse. The cemetery was fenced in at a cost of $31.83.
In the following year, 1883, an organ was bought. The cost of the organ, together with the Choralbuch and
book of interludes, was $118.06. Mrs. D. Poggenburg practiced the melodies of our beautiful church hymns
according to the Choralbuch with a number of older and younger people and succeeded in improving the
singing of the congregation.
PASTOR EDUARD HOYER, 1883-1904
In the fall of the year 1883, Pastor Mayerhoff received a call to Forest, near Fond du
Lac, Wisconsin. He was succeeded by Pastor Eduard Hoyer, who had been pastor of
St. Paul’s congregation in Platteville, Wisconsin, for five years. He was installed by his
predecessor on the 24th Sunday after Trinity, 1883. Until now, confirmation classes
had been conducted in the church, except during two winters, when Herman Koenig
and Dietrich Poggenburg had offered their homes for this purpose. In 1884 a schoolhouse was erected at a cost of $219.88 for confirmation instruction and Sunday School.
The building was completed by fall. The building committee in charge was: D.
Poggenburg, Jacob Bloecher, and Joh. Beimborn. The following three years, school
was taught in July and August in the German language by students from our colleges.
In the meeting of January 11, 1887, Pastor Hoyer reminded the congregation that on
August 13, it would be twenty-five years since their church was dedicated, whereupon the congregation decided
to celebrate the occasion. Numerous improvements were also decided upon. The roof was re-shingled, the
tower point was redecorated with a double cross, the walls were whitewashed, the woodwork was painted and
varnished, and new windows were provided. A committee of three, Herman Koenig, Christian Kelk, and Johann
Rau, was entrusted with this work, which was done in a most satisfactory manner. In addition, two candlesticks
and a flagon for communion were purchased. The money for these latter items, as well as for the ornament for
the tower, was solicited by the Misses Rosa Schmidt, Emma Plenzke, and Marie Erler from the women and
young people of the congregation. They collected a sum of $54.00.
Pastor C. Gausewitz preached in the forenoon, and Pastor E. Mayerhoff in the afternoon.
Student Plocher of Watertown taught school in July and August. Through his efforts a choir was organized
which sang for the Jubilee. The West Bend choir under the direction of Teacher Schneider assisted.
In the year 1894, Mrs. William Plenzke and Miss Helen Thode presented the congregation with a black altar
hanging and pulpit antependia for use during the Lenten season.
Since 1895, a summer school was conducted from April to June. No names of teachers are recorded, except that
of Miss Elsa Hoyer, who was engaged in 1899, had taught for several years.
In 1896, a new organ was bought and an entrance hall built on to the church.
5
In 1899, it was voted to build an altar niche with a
sacristy on the south end of the church. The
committee members entrusted with this work were
John R. Laubenstein, Gottfried Zinke, Henry
Schmidt, Gustav Koenig, and William A. Plenzke.
A blueprint from this project is in the church
archives. At a special meeting on June 11, 1899, it
was resolved not to carry out this plan because the
church was too old. Rather, a new church should be
built and the same committee would serve. In
January of 1900, this idea was voted down. Two
were in favor and 20 were against it. At the May 6
Interior of Old Church as Renovated in 1900
meeting, it was voted to make necessary
improvements in the church. A new floor was laid,
a new vestry, altar, and pulpit were built, and twenty-three new pews were purchased from the Manitowoc Seating
Works, Manitowoc, Wisconsin for $166.40. Due to these changes, the interior of the church presented an entirely
new appearance. Later in 1902, the roof of the church was renewed. The entire cost of the renovation amounted
to $600, including an Altar Bible.
Pastor Hoyer organized the St. Johannes Frauenverein (Ladies’ Society) in 1899. Before this time, it was a
group of women who would get together for fellowship and the good of the congregation. In the archives
there are German minutes from 1899-1915 for the Frauenverein.
In the meeting of January, 1904, a committee, consisting of John R. Laubenstein, William Plenzke, and Fred
Erler, was appointed to canvass the congregation in order to find out whether the members were willing to raise
their dues so that a yearly salary of $500.00 would be assured. In March, the committee reported that the
required amount for the salary had been pledged, whereupon Pastor Hoyer declared the congregation to be
self-supporting and resigned as its pastor. The congregation immediately proceeded to call its own pastor. The
call was sent to the Candidate of Theology, William C. Mahnke, a graduate of our Theological Seminary of
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, who accepted the call.
Pastor Hoyer recommended several paragraphs to be added
to the constitution, relating to the school, admittance of new
members, announcements for communion, and meeting of
the church council, all of which were accepted by the
congregation.
During the summer of this year, the congregation purchased
the lot and dwelling house lying southeast of the church
property and adjacent to it, for the sum of $850.00, to be used
for a parsonage.
Pastor Hoyer served this congregation twenty-one years.
6
Old Parsonage with
Old School House Annexed
c. 1906
SELF SUPPORTING
PASTOR WILLIAM C. MAHNKE, 1904-1916
Pastor William C. Mahnke was installed as pastor of this congregation July 24, 1904.
In the fall of the same year he opened a Christian school, which he conducted five days
a week for eight months, in the German and English language. From the beginning,
the attendance was very good. The second year, fifty-four pupils were packed into a
room measuring 18x24. This congested condition was relieved by building a new
school, 24x36, in 1906. The building committee was: John R. Laubenstein, Paul
Krueger, Herman Ponath, Herman Benike, and Fred Yahr. The building was completed
and dedicated in August. Pastors J. Jenny and Ed. Hoyer delivered the sermons, both
stressing the necessity and the blessing of a Christian training for our children. The
cost of the school house was approximately $1,000.00. Siloah Congregation of
Milwaukee presented two stoves for the school house. The old school house was
moved and annexed to the parsonage.
In October, 1908, a new barn measuring 22x32x12 feet was built, costing $300.00. The committee in charge
of this project was Henry Roever, Gustav Koenig, and Gustav Zinke. A telephone was placed in the parsonage
for the first time.
In 1908, the Frauenverein presented the congregation with a chandelier and nineteen oil lamps costing $50.
Later in 1914, when the new parsonage was built, it provided the building with a gasoline lighting system. In
1910, the upstairs room in the school was finished to be used as a confirmation classroom; a horse stall was also
built in the barn. In 1911, the town constructed sidewalks in front of the parsonage, church, and school.
The confirmation classes from 1909-1916 gave the
following gifts to the congregation, respectively: Three
collection plates, hymn board and one hundred numbers,
baptismal decanter, large and small Agenda, German pulpit
Bible, host box, chalice and communion set for the sick.
Confirmation Class — 1909
On April 18, 1909, the congregation celebrated the 50th
anniversary of its founding and organization. Pastors E.
Mayerhoff and Ed. Hoyer delivered the German sermons,
and Pastor Carl Gausewitz, the English sermon. At this time
the congregation numbered seventy-three voting members,
and fifteen women members, and was free of debts. Two of
the founders, Jacob Bloecher, Sr., and Traugott Seidemann,
lived to enjoy this day.
In 1913, the congregation allowed the pastor to have English worship services. There is no further mention of
this in the minutes, so it must have died for lack of interest at this time.
A new parsonage was erected in 1914, on the site of the old one. It was a spacious eight room, two story house,
with a kitchen annex, and provided hot water heating. The cost was $3,164.00. John R. Laubenstein, Ben Fick,
and Henry Roever constituted the building committee. John F. Laubenstein was treasurer.
In September, 1916, Pastor Mahnke received a call from St. John’s on West Forest Home Avenue in Milwaukee,
which he accepted. He served this congregation twelve years.
7
PASTOR ADAM PETERMANN, 1916-1942
The congregation then called Pastor Adam Petermann, of St. John’s congregation, near
Covert, Michigan, where he had been pastor for four years. He accepted the call and
was installed by his predecessor on December 3, 1916.
Until 1924, the services of the congregation had been conducted in the German
language only. In July of that year, English services were introduced for those who
desired them. They were held on the third Sunday of each month. Later the fifth
Sunday of the month in which it occurred was added, and also the evenings of the
days after the three main church holidays.
In 1926, a new church was erected. The committee in charge of the building operations
was Frank Wilkens, John Grotelueschen, Walter Seidemann, Carl Schille, Sr., and
Oscar Gerlach. A plan of financing the building was adopted by which each member was to pay his subscription
in four annual installments and also pay the interest on all deferred payments. Walter Lange of Milwaukee was
engaged to draw up plans. The contract was let to the West Bend Construction Co. The last service in the old
church was held on the sixth Sunday after Trinity (July 11) 1926. On August 29, the cornerstone was laid.
Services were held in the afternoon under the shady trees between the parsonage and church site. Pastor C.
Gausewitz, of Milwaukee, son of the former pastor, preached the sermon on Eph. 2:19-22, in the German
language to a large audience. On the fourth Sunday in Advent, December 19, 1926, the church was dedicated.
Three services were held, Pastor E. Hoyer preached in the forenoon and Pastor Wm. Mahnke in the afternoon,
both in the German language, and Prof. John Meyer preached an English sermon in the evening. Despite the
inclement weather, all services were well attended. The women of the congregation served meals in the
basement of the church. The total cost of the church was $20,925.00. No new furniture was purchased except
twenty-four new pews from the Northwestern Publishing House, Milwaukee, and a new carpet from the
Westphal Furniture Store of West Bend. The old altar and pulpit were retained with minor changes.
Dr. Arno Kratzsch of Milwaukee, who was born and raised in this congregation, always took a keen interest in its
affairs. In the midst of its building activity, he offered the congregation $500.00 on condition that it would
perpetually care for the graves of his parents and relatives in the town cemetery, which the congregation accepted.
Mrs. Emma Chesak donated a brass crucifix and four brass candlesticks to the congregation
for use in the new church. The crucifix is still used during the season of Lent.
The pump organ, which was brought from the old church, proved to be too small for the
new church. In the fall of 1933, the congregation bought a used Vocalion Two Manual and
Pedal Reed Organ and electric blower for the sum of $375.00 from the Roesler-Hunholz
Organ Co. of Milwaukee. It was played for the first time at the Thanksgiving service,
November 30, 1933.
As a jubilee gift, the confirmation class of 1934 gave an English Bible to the congregation.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the congregation was observed on June 24, 1934. Pastor Wm. Mahnke
preached in the German service held in the morning, while Pastor Wm. Hartwig, a son of the congregation,
was the speaker in the English afternoon service.
During the depression years, the congregation had difficulty paying off the debt on the new church. In 1936,
money had to be borrowed to pay the interest on the loan. The minutes of the congregational meetings during
this time show that many committees were appointed to visit the members who were in arrears in their dues.
Often unexpected expenses put the faith of the members to a severe test.
8
In 1937, the church roof leaked and needed repairs. The following year the interior of the church was painted
at a cost of $400.00. The following year the interior of the church was painted and stenciled by Henry Schille.
The two stained glass windows, “the Good Shepherd” and “Christ at Hearth’s Door”, were also installed at this
time. The voters often studied the financial status of the congregation, and in 1942, they decided to try the
envelope system beginning in 1943.
On August 30, 1942, Pastor Petermann was suddenly stricken with a serious illness. The congregation granted
him a leave of absence. Having somewhat recovered, he resumed preaching on Thanksgiving Day and also
continued instruction of the confirmation class. However, on December 15, he again became ill and was taken
to Milwaukee Hospital where, on December 17, our merciful Father relieved him of all pain and suffering and
took him to his eternal home at the age of 55 years.
Funeral services were held in his beloved St. John’s church on December 21. Pastors R. Buerger, S. Westendorf
and Wm. Mahnke officiated at this and the committal service. His mortal remains were laid to rest in Graceland
Cemetery, Milwaukee. Thus ended the longest ministry of any pastor in the history of this congregation. Pastor
Petermann served the congregation faithfully for 26 years.
PASTOR ALFRED MAASKE, 1943-1950
Soon after Pastor Petermann’s death, the congregation extended a call to Pastor Alfred
Maaske of Mukwonago, Wisconsin. He accepted this call and was installed on
February 28, 1943. That summer, an attempt was made to liquidate the remaining debt
on the church. According to the records, this work was finished two years later. The
parsonage received a coat of paint.
Second Parsonage
The congregation suffered a serious blow on
December 15, 1943, when the 29 year old parsonage
was destroyed by fire of undetermined origin. The
downstairs furniture and the church records were
saved. However, since the firemen were hampered by
sub-zero weather, the Maaskes lost their furnishings and clothes which were on
the second floor. Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire. The congregation
rented a house.
The very next month the congregation resolved to
build a new parsonage of brick veneer. The
following served on the building committee:
Adolph Beimborn, Fred Beimborn, Alfred Mey,
Arthur Wendt, and Herman Wilkens. Because our
country was engaged in World War II at the time,
materials were not easily acquired. In fact, some
boards were salvaged from the burned-out
parsonage to be used in the construction of the new
one. The new $9,000.00 parsonage was not
dedicated until 1946.
On June 25, 1944, the congregation observed its
eighty-fifth anniversary. Pastor Wm. Mahnke was
one of the guest speakers. In 1946, the constitution
was revised and translated into English. The
Parsonage Fire (1943)
9
congregation voted to set aside one Sunday each year for a collection for our Lutheran charitable institutions.
The following year the church festival envelopes were replaced with monthly envelopes for missions. About
this time the first monthly bulletins were sent out.
In 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Gerlach donated a tract of land south of the church property. In the next few years,
additional lots were purchased from Mr. Gerlach for $3,000.00 and from Mr. Henry Redlinger for $900.00. This
was, indeed, a wise move in view of the future school, which was already being discussed at that time.
On September 18, 1949, the congregation observed its 90th anniversary with two English services. Pastor
Wm. Mahnke and Prof. John Meyer of our Seminary were the guest speakers that day. That same year Pastor
Maaske was presented with a gown and an automobile by the congregation. Door collections were taken from
time to time for our Synod’s program in behalf of the war refugees. Mrs. Anna Beimborn gave the congregation
an oak lectern in memory of her husband Fred Beimborn.
Having faithfully served the congregation for six and one-half years, Pastor Maaske accepted a call to Manistee,
Michigan, in July, 1950.
PASTOR WALDEMAR ZARLING, 1950-1956
Pastor Zarling was installed on August 27, 1950. Previously he had served Mount
Calvary Mission Congregation in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The following summer, 1951,
the interior of the church was painted.
For some years, the congregation recognized the need for a teacherage. At times, the
congregation rented a home for the teachers, and at other times the teachers had to
find their own dwelling. In 1952, a new
house was purchased from Adolph
Laubenstein for $12,600.00. This house is on
a lot adjoining the southeastern part of the
church property.
The old barn was torn down and a two-car garage was built in back
of the parsonage in 1949.
Extensive church repairs were made in 1955. Tie rods were placed in
the roof, and the front of the church was caulked. Church signs were
placed on the highway on the eastern and western outskirts of town.
Parsonage (1946)
Teacherage (1952)
During Pastor Zarling’s ministry, many new families moved into this
area, and not a few new members were gained for our church. The
German services were still held once a month by Pastor Zarling. His
father would write the German sermons for him and he would read
them. At the end there were only a couple of families that would
attend. There is no mention of it being discontinued in the minutes
of the voters’ meetings or the council minutes. So the use of the
German language died a quiet death during the last year of Zarling’s
pastorate. In 1956, Pastor Zarling received a call to a mission
congregation in Benton Harbor, Michigan. His mission zeal
prompted him to ask for a peaceful release, which was granted by
the congregation.
10
THE SECOND CENTURY
PASTOR GERHARDT KIONKA, 1956-1966
Pastor Wilbert Gawrisch of West Bend served as vacancy pastor for two months. The
congregation called Pastor Kionka of Stoddard, Wisconsin, in February of 1956. He was
installed on April 15. That same spring the congregation voted to build a new school.
For many years, two of the councilmen served as the school board. But with the new
school and increased enrollment, the need for a larger school board added an article
to the constitution calling for a three-man board. The first men who were elected to
the Board of Christian Education were: Ray Geidel, chairman; Armin Schwengel,
secretary; and Walter Dobberphul, treasurer.
In the January, 1958, meeting, the following were appointed to the centennial
committee to make plans for the 100th anniversary of the congregation: Adolph
Laubenstein, Neal Hinds, Frank Wilkens, Glen Barnes, Pastor Kionka, and Merlin Gerner. When the latter
transferred his membership to Fredonia, he was replaced by Alfred Mey. The committee was authorized to
have an anniversary booklet printed.
The following year the centennial of St. John’s was celebrated on three Sundays. The first service was on June
14, with President Arthur Holboth as speaker of the festival service in the morning and Pastor Jonathan
Mahnke, son of William Mahnke, preaching the confirmation reunion service in the afternoon. A memorial
service was conducted on July 12, by Pastor Alfred Maaske, and the afternoon Synod service by Waldemar
Zarling, two former pastors. On August 23, another confirmation reunion service was held with Pastor Kenneth
Roever preaching. The afternoon service was on Christian Education and Pastor Martin Petermann preached.
Both were sons of the congregation. The Ladies’ Auxiliary prepared noon meals for all three Sundays.
In 1960, a garage was built for the teacherage. In October, a motion was made to try two morning services for
four weeks. In 1961 it became permanent: early 8 a.m. and late service at 10 a.m. Holidays and special occasions
were to be left up to the pastor and council.
The church was again repaired in 1961 with work on the steeple, blown insulation, and painting the interior.
Church services were held in the school basement while these improvements were made.
The Synodical Convention of 1961 voted to suspend fellowship with the
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and called for an orderly termination of
joint projects. This was the end of a cherished fellowship in existence for over
ninety years. It was particularly hard on St. John’s and Pastor Kionka. His
father-in-law was a Missouri Synod pastor, and the congregation had former
members transfer to area Missouri Synod churches. A special meeting was held
to explain the differences between the two synods.
An organ committee was appointed by the church council in 1962. This
committee was in charge of taking care of the finances for this project. The
organ couldn’t be purchased until all monies were there. The dedication was
held in the evening of October 20, 1963, for the new Allen organ. The old
organ was sold to Mrs. Fisher of Cedarburg.
Organist Damrow
on the Allen Organ
In 1966, Pastor Kionka accepted a call to Christ Lutheran in Menominee,
Wisconsin. Pastor Breiling of Good Shepherd served as our vacancy pastor.
11
PASTOR LEO SCHEELK, 1966-1969
Pastor Leo Scheelk was installed on July 3, 1966. At this time seminary students began
helping with communion distribution. They were paid $3 per service. The interior
and exterior of the church were painted.
The 110th anniversary was celebrated on April 13, 1969. The seminary chorus sang for
this occasion, and Pastor Kionka was the guest speaker.
In August of 1969, Pastor Scheelk submitted his resignation. Prof. A. Schuetze served
as our vacancy pastor.
PASTOR DALE ARNDT, 1969-1977
Pastor Dale Arndt was installed October 26, 1969. In 1970, morning Lenten services
were held for the first time with the school children attending. Vacation Bible School
was held for two weeks in summer. The Lutheran Boy Pioneers group was organized
and met in the church basement. In fall, a Kindergarten class was started. Mrs. Ray
Geidel was called to be the teacher.
The mothers’ room was moved to the church basement in 1971, and bathrooms were
installed. The wall separating the old mothers’ room and narthex was removed, making
a larger entrance. A Girl Pioneers group was started in the fall.
In 1972, a mower was donated and a new garage and maintenance building to house
it was built by Geidel Bros. A committee was formed to gather pricing and funding
information on building a gymnasium.
In 1973, Mark Laubenstein was approved to be our lay delegate to the study committee regarding the new
Lutheran High School. At the annual meeting in January of 1974, the information on the school was discussed
and it was resolved to join the new Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School Association. According to the
official records of KMLHS, St. John’s became the first congregation to join this association, and it still enjoys
the privilege of supporting this Lutheran high school to this day.
Approximately 10 acres of land were purchased from Mr. Zulejar for the playground and cemetery. This land
is often referred to as the church woods because of all the pine trees. In 1975, a piece of land, 25 feet by 500
feet, was sold to Holy Trinity Catholic Church for an addition to their cemetery.
Since 1972, discussions were held at voters’ meetings concerning a gym and classroom addition to the school.
At a special voters’ meeting in 1977, it was voted on to build a multi-purpose room and classroom for $218,000.
The constitution was revised and approved. The New International Version of the Bible would be used in all
church services, taking the place of the old King James Version.
The first senior class graduated from Kettle Moraine in 1977. Five students from St. John’s were among the class
of fifteen: Jeffrey Awve, David Geidel, Cheryl Lemke, Rebecca Schille, and Paul Wilkens.
In 1978, Pastor Arndt accepted a call to Minnesota. Before he left, he held ground breaking for the school
addition held on April 1. Prof. Balge accepted the position of vacancy pastor.
12
PASTOR EDWIN BIEBERT, 1978-1991
Pastor Edwin Biebert was called from Franklin, Wisconsin, and installed on September
10, 1978. At the 1979 April Voters’ meeting, rules and regulations governing the new
multi-purpose facility were adopted. Furnishings for the new addition had to be
approved by the church council. At this time, church repairs were again needed.
Reinforcing the building with steel beams and tie rods, extending the roof and other
repairs were required. Ceiling fans were also installed at this time. This was finished
in 1980.
On November 11, 1979, the new school addition was dedicated. Christmas Eve
services were held in the gym from this time until the new church was built in 2001.
The constitution was again revised in 1981. In 1982, Thursday night services were
started during the summer. The following year they were dropped and, in 1985, were reinstated.
The Sampler, the service booklet of new hymns and liturgy, was used from Advent, 1986, to Pentecost, 1987.
This was an introduction to the new hymnal that was being formulated for the Wisconsin Synod.
Pastor Biebert retired in August, 1991, and moved to Mercer, Wisconsin. The congregation called Prof. James
Tiefel from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary as vacancy pastor. Professor Tiefel continued many of the
administrative duties for both church and school. He also initiated a Sunday morning adult Bible study that
remains quite active to this day. One of his Bible studies was the pilot of “The Way Lutherans Worship”, which
was designed to introduce the new hymnal (Christian Worship) to our synod’s members. It was during this time
that seminary student (and future pastor), Jon Baumann, helped Prof. Tiefel with the vacancy.
PASTOR GREGORY L. BEY, 1992-1996
Pastor Greg Bey accepted the call to be the next pastor at St. John’s. He came from
our WELS world mission in Indonesia. He began his pastorate in March, 1992.
It was at this time that the congregation requested the services of our WELS Parish
Assistance Program. St. John’s was among the earliest congregations in the Synod to
enter the Parish Planners Program. It gave the congregation and its new pastor a
wonderful opportunity to review the congregation history and plan for its future. The
review of the constitution, which was a natural outgrowth from the work done with
the Parish Planners, resulted in an overhaul of the by-laws that included the
restructuring of the church council, boards, and committees. Another by-product of
the congregation’s planning for the future was its decision to build a new church.
There were two new additions to worship under Pastor Bey. In 1992, St. John’s started offering individual cups
during the Lord’s Supper for the first time. In 1994, Christian Worship
– A Lutheran Hymnal, the new WELS hymnal, was used for worship.
Pastor Bey ended his pastorate at St. John’s in July of 1996, when he
accepted a call back into WELS world missions to our mission in
Bulgaria. Professor James Westendorf accepted the call to be vacancy
pastor, and he received assistance from seminary student, Aaron
Christie. This was also the genesis of St. John’s securing the
assistance of senior seminary students on an annual basis. A list of all
seminary assistants can be found later in this book.
Angel Candlesticks a gift from the Bey family.
13
PASTOR JON A. BAUMANN, 1997-PRESENT
In May, 1997, Pastor Jon Baumann was installed as pastor at St. John’s. Previously he
had served at Faith Lutheran, Huron, and Willow Lake Lutheran, Willow Lake, South
Dakota for five years. The plans for a new church building were temporarily put on
hold until Pastor Baumann could get firmly established at St. John’s.
1999 saw two mile markers at St. John’s. The first was our congregation’s 140th
anniversary. The theme of that year was “Building on God’s Blessings of Word and
Sacrament.” The year was highlighted by three festival services. The first service was
on April 18, with WELS president, Rev. Karl Gurgel, preaching on the blessings of
baptism. The second service was also our annual Mission Festival, on July 11, with
Professor Mark Zarling from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary preaching on the blessing
of the Gospel in the Word. The third service was held on October 31, with Professor James Korthals from
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary preaching on the blessings of the Lord’s Supper.
The second mile marker was the kick off of a three-year financial campaign for the funding of the new church
building. The theme of this campaign was a spin-off of the anniversary theme: “Building on God’s Blessings”.
The financial campaign was run by WELS Capital Funding Services (now defunct), and headed up by Rev.
Dan Malchow. It started with a series of cottage meetings in which we made information available to every
member of St. John’s. This culminated in a special initial offering, our Christmas Gift to Jesus, in which the
people of St. John’s responded with a combined gift of over $200,000. Throughout the whole financial
campaign, the Building Committee and Financial Campaign Committee promised the congregation that we
would not touch any of the offerings designated for the new church building in order to fund any shortfall in
the operating budget or other unforeseen expenses. By the grace of God, we were able to keep that promise.
In the next three years, the Building Committee for the new church had many long meetings, in which they
worked at planning every detail of the new church. They also had numerous special congregational meetings
in which they presented various aspects of the new church and asked for congregational input and approval.
All of this was very tedious, but it was done in order to foster a congregation-wide ownership of the building
process. The following were members of the Building Committee, and we thank them for the many long hours
of dedication they gave to this whole project: Del Boehlke, Larry Geidel, James Ksioszk, David Geidel, Ken
Prahl, Nathan Scheunemann, Warren Gerner, John Jahn, and Conrad Scheunemann.
On a very cold and windy Sunday in March of 2001, we held a special ground-breaking ceremony, in which
all the members were invited to take part in turning over a shovel of dirt (if they could break through the
frost!). Throughout the rest of the year, it was interesting to watch people drive by during the week, and
especially after church on Sundays, to see the progress. On our Mission Festival in July, the members were
invited to write their names on the steel studs before the walls were enclosed in sheetrock. Once the building
was enclosed, many members dedicated countless hours and numerous materials. The estimated cost of the
building was $1.4 million, but we will never be able to calculate or put a price on the talents, energy, donated
materials, and prayers that were used in this building. The first service was held on January 13, 2002.
2004 saw the 100th anniversary of St. John’s Lutheran School. We held a special anniversary service on our
Mission Festival in July, in which we had an “all student” and “all teacher” school reunion. The festival speaker
was Professor Daniel Leyrer from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, and he preached on the great Christian education
psalm, Psalm 78. We had many former students and teachers in attendance, and the day was enjoyed by all.
In October of 2007, we were able to recognize another great gift of God’s love: the burning of the mortgage
for our new church. The members of St. John’s were very focused and faithful in going above and beyond their
budgetary offerings in making special gifts toward the mortgage payments, both in weekly offerings and
remembering St. John’s in their wills. However, in the end, the glory belongs to God that this task was
accomplished, and we can now focus on doing more of God’s kingdom work outside our own walls.
14
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION
OF
ST. JOHN’S NEW CHURCH
As you approach our new church, perhaps the first thing you notice is its location. There were two
accomplishments we wanted to realize in the placement of this church. We wanted it attached to the school
building for easier and greater use of our facilities, and we wanted it to be visible from Highway 33. Or maybe
you noticed the size of the building, offering room which we very much needed. Or maybe you noticed the
parking lot, which is nicely paved and contains 110 spaces, and is lit throughout. Or maybe you noticed the
ground-level entrance, now making both the church and school accessible to all.
Upon entering the church, you will find a large
narthex. This spacious room lends to easier visitation
and fellowship before and after services, as well as
overflow seating for at least 100 people. The sanctuary
allows for the seating of 320 people in the pews alone.
The unpadded pews with tile underneath, minimal
carpeting, and acoustical tiles on the ceiling give us a
sound quality that is not found in many other churches.
We retained many features from the old church: the
large side windows letting in ample sunlight, the two
stained glass windows of Christ, the decorative wood
beams and corbel accents on the ceiling, the baptismal
font, the Paschal candle, and of course the old altar,
which was repainted to match the color tones in this
Old Altar repainted to match this church
church. The bell and carillon have also been saved
from the old church, so as to continue to invite all for worship as well as adorn the every day life of the village
with the ringing out of beloved Christian melodies. At the entrance, below the new date stone, we also have
included the date stones from the 1861 church and the 1926 church.
The new furnishings not only compliment the old; they also help accent the worship. There are the oak pulpit,
lectern, and free-standing altar, the oak flooring in the chancel, the round stained glass window fashioned to
emulate the design and age of the other stained glass windows, and last but not least, the ample lighting and
the speaker systems for both organ and voice. Other highlights include Corian window sills throughout the
whole church and window treatments to minimize the sun from the east and west. The windows are designed
to receive stained glass in the future. There is also a 27 inch slope in the sanctuary floor and stepped flooring
in the balcony to assure that every seat has a good view of the
chancel.
New organ dedicated in 2002.
The balcony was purposely kept small, both for fire code and
function reasons. It is restricted to the choir and church musicians.
It has removable chair seating to allow for a larger instrumental group
or handbell choir, or for the choir to stand together as a group. It also
houses the control panel for our sound system. The centerpiece of
the balcony, of course, is our new organ – the 3 manual, 38 rank Allen
Protégé AP-30, complete with two MIDI consoles. It was dedicated
on March 24, 2002.
15
Aerial 1959
Aerial 1984
16
17
Aerial 2008
There are two sacristies, one for the Altar Committee with ample working and storage
space, and one for the pastor with the conveniences of a side entrance and bathroom.
To the side of the narthex, there is a large, multi-purpose meeting room that can be
divided in half, if needed. This room is wired for audio and video, so that it too can
serve the purpose of overflow seating. There are three offices, which currently are
used by the pastor, the principal, and the secretary. There are two handicapped
accessible bathrooms, a coatroom, a library room, and a transitional hallway between
the church and school. To round out the functionality of our church, there are seven
equipment/storage rooms, six furnaces for zoned heating and air conditioning, and
one elevator for access to the two levels of the school.
Finally, on the outside of the front chancel wall, there is a large, metal cross. This
symbol, backlit at night and visible from the highway, serves as a constant beckon to
all that “we preach Christ crucified” here, today and always.
VITAL STATISTICS OF ST. JOHN’S CHURCH TODAY
As of this writing, St. John’s congregation numbers 489 communicant and
630 souls. According to the records, the following acts have been performed
since the founding of the congregation: 1,728 baptisms, 1,569
confirmations, 446 weddings, and 585 burials.
Plat Map of Newburg
1892
Van der Cook addition
to the village of Newburg
_____________________
1. Old Church & School
Lots:
6,7
Block:
8
Purchased: 1860
2. Church Cemetery
Lots:
1, 2 & 3
Block:
9
Purchased: 1882
3. Parsonage
Lots:
8
Block:
8
Purchased: 1904
18
TIMELINE OF
ST. JOHN’S CHURCH BUILDINGS
April 2, 1859
1860
June 16, 1861
August 13, 1862
August 22, 1926
December 19,1926
March, 2001
January 13, 2001
February 24, 2002
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was formed
Two lots purchased for $150
Cornerstone of first church was laid
Dedication of first church at a cost of $2,200
Cornerstone of second church was laid
Dedication of second church, built for $20,925
Ground breaking for third (present) church building
First service in the new church
Dedication of new church; estimated cost: over $1.4 million
LIST OF
SONS OF THE CONGREGATION
(presently serving in the pastoral ministry)
Dean Biebert
Timothy Biebert
Thomas Ehnert
Jason Jobs
Roger Knepprath
Joshua Odell (vicar)
Scott Schultz
Steven Wilkens
Mark Zarling
Thomas Zarling
LIST OF
SEMINARY STUDENT ASSISTANTS
Jon Baumann
Aaron Christie
Jason Jobs
Craig Engel
Jason Zahn
Matthew Holtz
Steve Meyer
Michael Carr
Jason Oakland
Andrew Glende
Ben Kuerth
Nathan Scharf
David Brandt
Benjamin Schaefer
Ryan Cortright
(91-92)
(96-97)
(97-98)
(98-99)
(99-00)
(00-01)
(01-02)
(02-03)
(03-04)
(04-05)
(05-06)
(06-07)
(07-08)
(08-09)
(09- )
19
ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL
A BRIEF SKETCH
In 2004, St. John’s School celebrated its 100th anniversary. Some of the history has already been interwoven
into the church’s history, but since this is a historical booklet for the church’s anniversary, it was decided to offer
a detailed history of St. John’s School at its next major anniversary.
At the present, the staff of our school includes the
following: Mr. Steven Enter, grades 7-8; Mr. Sam
Hunter, principal and grades 5-6; Mr. John Martin
III, grades 3-4; Miss Lynn Affeldt, grades 1-2; Mrs.
Kathy Mellon, Kindergarten; Mrs. Nancy Ebeling,
pre-Kindergarten. These teachers, as well as did their
predecessors, give unstintingly of their time and serve
above and beyond the scope of their calls.
Additionally, we rely on the help of many parents
and other lay members, who selflessly volunteer
many hours to serve in various ways.
Today our school is a truly American Lutheran
institution, in which the Word of God is not merely
taught as a subject, but in which the entire work is
Present Teachers
under the influence of God’s Word, and the children
are trained in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This is what God demands in the training of the children
of Christian parents. And this training can best be accomplished through the means of a Christian school. Let
us sincerely thank God for our school and continue to appreciate the blessings derived from it.
TIMELINE OF ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL
1904
1906
1913
1923
1953
1957
1970
1974
1978
1996
2004
2007
School opens
Second school house built
First teacher hired
First male teacher and graduate of
Dr. Martin Luther College
Purchased teacherage
Third school building (present one)
built
Kindergarten started
Kettle Moraine Lutheran
High School founded
Expansion on present school –
gym, classrooms, & office
Preschool started (4 year olds)
100th Anniversary of St. John’s
Lutheran School celebrated
“After school care” started
1936 School Classroom
Present Day Classroom
20
LIST OF ST. JOHN’S TEACHERS
1904-1913
1913-1919
1919
1920
1921-1923
1925
1926
1927
1928-1933
1933-1938
1938-1942
1942-1945
1942-1945
1946
1946-1948
1946-1949
1946-1953
Rev. Mahnke
Martha Laubenstein
Helen Zinter
Gertrude Schlueter
Marie Schoknecht
Mildred Mayr
Viola Krueger
Ethel Wing
Elda Krueger
Arnold Lober
Harold Panning
Harold Diersan
Ruth Ewerdt
Rev. Loyol Shroeder
Rev. Floyd Mattek
Evelyn Kellar
Waldemar Bartsch
1951-1960
1953-1954
1954-1955
1955-1959
1958-1959
1959
1959-1968
1959-1982
1960-1969
1968-1993
1970-1974
1970-1974
1974-1976
1975-1977
1976-1982
1977-1992
1982-1993
Glenn Barnes
Grace Dobberphul
Betty Lou Homer
Janet Riebe
Laura Hagedorn
Elizabeth Geidel
Gideon Becker
Nelda Habeck
Adelbert Backer
Merlin Wilde
Jeff Stueck
Elizabeth Geidel
Deborah Hoenecke
Carol Friebus
Marlene Lober
Alex Damrow
Deana Dobberphul
1982-1998
1992-1999
1993-2003
1993-present
1994-2000
1998-present
1999-present
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2008
2003-2008
2004-2007
2007-present
2008-present
2008-present
Marlene Lober
Kevin Loersch
James Brohn
Kathy Mellon
Laura Clark
Lynn Affeldt
Steven Enter
Cindy Loewen
Tiffany Vanderhoof
Barbara DeVries
Brian Mensching
Paul Becker
Rebekah Becker
Nancy Ebeling
John Martin III
Sam Hunter
ST. JOHN’S CEMETERY
St. John’s cemetery was established in 1882, when Traugott
Seidemann purchased about one acre of land to be used as a
cemetery. Before this time, members were either buried in the
Newburg Union Cemetery or behind the old church and
school. In 1888, permission was given to Mr. Koenig to plow
any portion of the cemetery not needed for graves and plant
fruit trees to keep the weeds down. Again in 1899, permission
was given to Mr. Clemens to plow part of the cemetery and
plant a crop.
Years ago it was customary for the next of kin to care for the
individual grave sites. Since people cut the grass at different
times, the cemetery never looked trim. Additionally, some graves were neglected completely. A number of
people, who felt responsible for the graves but could not take care of them, paid the janitor to cut the grass.
When the second church was under construction, the Kratzsch family donated $500 with the understanding
that their five graves in the Union Cemetery would be perpetually cared for. Some years later, other requests
were made by members for the same kind of grave care. The Church Council took charge of the perpetual care
fund, which was begun at that time. Later, a three person committee was appointed to handle all the affairs of
the cemetery, and that committee still functions to this day.
In 1957, money from the perpetual care fund was loaned to the congregation at 4% when the school was built.
At present the perpetual care money is invested in CD’s, either at the bank or with the WELS Church Extension
Fund. The interest from these investments covers the annual disbursements, which primarily go for lawn
maintenance.
21
ORGANIZATIONS
ST. JOHN’S CHURCH COUNCIL
St. John’s Church Council is entrusted with the oversight of the day-to-day functions of our congregation. It
is a fifteen man council, subdivided into four boards, each with their own area of responsibility. The Executive
Board is made up of the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary, and is responsible for the
finances and general ministry of the congregation. The Board of Elders is made up of five members with the
chairman also serving as the congregational vice-president. It is responsible for overseeing the spiritual welfare
of the congregation. The Board of Education is a three man group, responsible for all areas of education within
the ministry of St. John’s. Its primary workload is overseeing St. John’s School. The Board of Church Properties
is entrusted with the upkeep and maintenance of our buildings and campus. Members can serve for two
consecutive, three-year terms before stepping down for a mandatory one year respite.
ST. JOHN’S LADIES’ AUXILIARY
“In the afternoon of August 6, 1942, a number of women of St. John’s Lutheran congregation met in the school
house, pursuant to a sentiment that the women of the congregation come in closer contact with each other to
discuss and deliberate upon such things as may be useful and beneficial to the congregation.” Thus reads the
opening sentence of the minutes of the first meeting of this invaluable committee.
During the first few years, the Auxiliary supplied the school with many necessary things such as maps, curtains,
dictionaries, encyclopedia, and reference books. In 1954, the Auxiliary had the basement in the old church
plastered and painted, and two years later it purchased rose-colored carpeting for the church. In 1957, they
equipped the then new kitchen in the school basement.
According to their constitution, the purpose of the Ladies’ Auxiliary is “to furnish opportunity for Christian
education, especially in the matters pertaining to the Lutheran Church and its works; to render aid and
assistance to our congregation and to the church in general, especially in charitable endeavors of the church;
to foster Christian fellowship and sociability among the ladies of our church.”
The Ladies’ Auxiliary fulfills this purpose in many ways, such as giving financial support to church and school
projects, as well as to WELS home and world missions. Our Altar Committee coordinates and supplies flowers
and plants to beautify the altar. It also serves by cleaning, maintaining, or providing the altar fixtures and
paraments, communion utensils, baptismal and communion napkins, and banners for the chancel. The Funeral
Committee serves the family of departed church members by coordinating and serving meals for funerals. The
Sunshine Lady sends special cards and greetings to members who are suffering with health problems or who
have lost a loved one. The Program Committee plans an annual Mother-Daughter Banquet and other social
and educational events. The Auxiliary coordinates and serves the annual Easter breakfast and also serves meals
for other functions. We sew quilts to give as parting gifts to called workers and pastoral assistants. As part of
St. John’s 150th anniversary celebration, the Ladies’ Auxiliary published a cookbook containing favorite recipes
of congregational members.
The Ladies’ Auxiliary meets on the second Tuesday evening of the month, from September through June. In
December, instead of a business meeting, we celebrate our Savior’s birth with a Christmas party featuring games,
carol singing, festive food, and a secret pal gift exchange. Instead of a business meeting in May, we host our
annual Mother-Daughter Banquet. All of our meetings begin with a short Bible study led by the pastor. Our
business meetings conclude with a light lunch and sometimes with special craft projects or entertainment.
22
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION (PIE)
In 1956, St. John’s Parents’ and Teachers’ Society became a formal organization of the congregation. The
object of the organization was to create a greater interest in Christian education of children, to promote the
welfare of St. John’s School, and to bring about the greatest coordination between the school and the home in
the training of the children. Meetings were held five times throughout the school term.
Over the years, the function of this society waxed and waned until it was revitalized with its rebirth in the 1990’s
as Partners in Education (PIE). PIE meets once a month during the school year and is responsible for many
school and para-school activities, including hosting Board of Education nights on which guest speakers give
presentations on a wide array of child and family subjects; ordering and disseminating St. John’s School logo
wear, running the concession stand for all home basketball games, manning the Celebrate Families booth at the
Washington County Fair Park; hosting other family oriented events throughout the year, hosting a Teacher
Appreciation week; providing a reception after school graduation; making and manning the school float for the
Newburg Parade in June; and many other activities and events.
The name may have changed, but the goal remains the same, to promote the welfare of St. John’s School. The
work of these parents and committee members is invaluable throughout the year.
CHOIRS
The members of St. John’s have always had a desire to provide quality sacred music at services and special
occasions. This aim has always been accomplished according to the availability of voices and directors. At
times it has been frustrating and has resulted in the starting and stopping of a variety of choirs and choruses.
There have been, at one time or another: mixed choirs, male choruses, junior choirs, and children’s choirs.
The adult mixed choir was formed in 1956. At that time it had about 20 members and had practice once a week
and meetings once a month. In 1959, the director was Mr. Glenn Barnes, and the choir sang for all the
centennial services that year.
Choir and Director Steven Enter
Choir and Director Kevin Loersch
While the choir no longer has formal officers, and the directors have changed, the goal of the choir to praise
the Lord in song has remained a constant. Directors since the centennial service have been Mr. Adelbert
Backer, Mr. Jeff Stueck, Mrs. Gloria Arndt, Mr. Alex Damrow, Mr. Kevin Loersch, and current director, Mr.
Steven Enter. May the Lord bless our efforts to worship and praise him in song here at St. John’s.
Handbells have become a very exciting part of our musical worship here at St. John’s. The first two octaves
were given in memory of Leo and Ella Knuth on January 27, 1994. The third octave was purchased after many
23
generous anonymous gifts by members of St. John’s. The fourth octave was a memorial gift after the tragic
deaths of Karl and Lavera Bretschneider in a traffic accident on August 25, 2005. We completed our set with
the upper half of the fifth octave with a gift that was given in memory of Leonard Ludwig, father-in-law of Mr.
Enter, after his death on December 24, 2005.
Students in grades 5-8 of our day school play handbells for various Sunday services and many special services
like Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Easter. We are so pleased that the students have this opportunity to
praise their Lord with this beautiful music.
We also have three octaves of choirchimes that are often used in worship. The beautiful mellow sound of
these chimes is especially fitting for Lent. They are often used together with the handbells. The first two
octaves were purchased through gifts. The third octave was purchased as a memorial gift for Karl and Lavera
Bretschneider. The chimes are used by grades 3-8 of our school. Grades 3-4 use them to begin learning the
ringing techniques before they “graduate” to handbells in grade 5.
YOUTH GROUP
After languishing for several years, St. John’s Youth Group was revived under the leadership of teacher Paul
Becker in 2005 with a new name, Active Christian Teens (ACT). ACT consists of grades 7-12, providing a much
needed transition from the grade school to high school years. They now meet under lay leadership every
Sunday for Bible Study during the school year. There are opportunities for additional fellowship throughout
the year, as the group decides what it wants to do, and helps fund its outings through the hosting of a midweek
Lenten supper. There is also an emphasis on service, including adopting a section of Highway 144 for annual
clean-up. ACT also promotes and encourages attendance at both regional and synod youth rallies. May the
Lord continue to bless and increase the participation in this vital ministry!
ST. JOHN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL
St. John’s Sunday School continues to be a vital part of the Christian education for the young children of our
congregation. For the past 20 years or more, at least 40% of the young children in our congregation do not
attend our day school. The Sunday School gives parents in our congregation an additional educational tool
to train up our children in the training and instruction of the Lord. The Sunday School is currently staffed by
parents and other lay members who give unselfishly of their time in preparing and teaching weekly lessons. The
children sing at least twice a year and are also part of the annual Children’s Christmas Eve Service.
TIME WITH JESUS
Time with Jesus began in 2006. It is a class aimed towards children ages 0-preschool to attend with an adult
(parent, grandparent, or guardian). Class times are 9:00am-10:30am on the first and third Tuesday of each
month, September through May. The class is held in the meeting room and fellowship hall.
We begin each class with stories, finger-plays, and a welcome song. Our main focus is a Bible story and simple
application to the lives of the children. There is always a craft and coloring sheet related to the Bible story for
reinforcement. Other activities include: puzzles, age-appropriate toys, water colors, games, painting, stencils,
play-doh, and a snack. Other highlights include age appropriate field trips, Christmas shopping trips for moms,
and every Tuesday get-togethers at area parks during the summer.
24
OTHER COMMITTEES & GROUPS
While time and space does not permit for every committee to be recognized, it should be noted that there are
many other organizations who help the overall ministry of St. John’s run smoothly and well. Among them are
the Usher Committee, St. John’s Foundation (which handles and invests monies received from memorials and
for non-budgetary purposes), the Financial Committee (entrusted with counting and recording the offerings
from worship), the Altar Committee, the Funeral Committee, the Cemetery Committee, the Stewardship
Committee, the Evangelism Committee, New Member Visitation Committee, the Hot Lunch Committee (for
St. John’s School), the Called Worker Care Committee, and many others.
Additionally, in past years there have been a number of secular groups within our congregation that function
more on the fun side than the spiritual side of things, and yet they are also a vital part of congregation. Among
them are (or have been) the Men’s Basketball League, the Dartball League, the Men’s Softball League, the
Tuesday Night Golf League, and the Crafters, Boy and Girl Pioneers, the Quilting Committee, and many
others.
PICTURES FROM THE FIRST TWO 150TH CELEBRATIONS
Professor John Brug (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary)
and Pastor Jon Baumann
President Mark Schroeder (Wisconsin Evangelical
Lutheran Synod) and Pastor Jon Baumann
St. John’s School Children Singing – April 26, 2009
25
A CENTURY OF
GOD’S GRACE AND BLESSINGS
(A brief summary written by Pastor Kionka)
For one hundred years the Gospel has been proclaimed in this congregation. Sinners have been admonished
to repentance, penitent and believing sinners have been absolved of their sins, infants have been baptized,
children have been educated, instructed and confirmed, the Sacrament of Holy
Communion has been administered, marriages have been blessed, and many a
sorrowful mourner has been comforted by the Word of God.
One hundred times this congregation has had the privilege of covering the cycle of
Scripture readings which include the principal events of the Savior’s life and of
Christian doctrine. During one hundred Advent seasons, this congregation has
heralded the coming of our Lord, and has been brought nearer to his final coming in
glory at the end of this world. One hundred times it has prepared for Christmas, and
worshipped at the manger of Bethlehem with the shepherds, and joined the angels in
singing “Glory to God in the Highest”. In one hundred Lenten seasons, pilgrimages
have been made with the disciples to Jerusalem in order to accompany the Lord Jesus Christ in his last week
and to be stirred by the message of God’s redeeming love on Calvary. On one hundred Easter mornings, there
has been proclaimed the angel’s message “He is Risen”, and on one hundred Pentecost Sundays, this church has
been moved by the glorious event of the manifestation and power of the Holy Ghost poured out on his people.
In this centennial year, it is fitting and proper that we pause to reflect upon the grace and blessings which our
heavenly Father has showered upon our congregation. With Jacob of old we must confess, “I am not worthy
of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which Thou hast showered unto Thy servant.” This booklet
was not written in order to boast of any accomplishments of men, but rather to give all glory to God who
deigns to use sinful creatures to carry out His work on earth. It is by his grace alone that we are his children
today, and only because of his continual blessings are we privileged to observe the centennial of our beloved
congregation.
We leave the future with God. We are confident that he will continue to bestow upon us his grace in Christ,
our Savior, and grant us all other blessings, spiritual and temporal, which we need as a church and as individuals.
He will surely keep his many precious promises if we but remain faithful to him, earnestly striving to perform
the tasks he has assigned to us. Let us, then, ever be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.” And to that end let us often pray:
Abide, O dearest Jesus,
Among us with Thy grace,
That Satan may not harm us
Nor we to sin give place.
Abide, O dear Redeemer,
Among us with Thy Word;
And thus now and hereafter
True peace and joy afford.
Abide with richest blessings
Among us bounteous Lord;
Let us, in grace and wisdom
Grow daily through Thy Word.
Abide, O faithful Savior,
Among us with Thy love;
Grant steadfastness and help us
To reach our home above. Amen.
26
150 YEARS OF
GOD’S GRACE AND BLESSINGS
In our 150th year, it is our privilege to worship under the theme, as well as acknowledge with the writer to the
Hebrew Christians: “Jesus Christ: Yesterday, Today, Forever!” The same love from Jesus and for Jesus that
moved our forefathers to start this congregation is the same love that moves us to humbly worship him still.
The same name that is above every name is the name at which we bow and for which we live. The same Lord
of both our forefathers at St. John’s, as well as our forefathers of biblical faith, is the same Lord we will all praise
and adore on the last day with all the saints and angels in heaven.
If the Lord Jesus wills it, this congregation will remain for another 150 years. If it is not his will, this will mean
that either his work for us is done here in Newburg, or he has already come to claim us all for the place prepared
for us there in heaven. Either way, we all are both humbled and honored to have been part of his great kingdom
work.
Soli Deo Gloria
(To God alone be the glory!)
150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
FIRST SERVICE: SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2009
Worship:
8 am & 10:30 am
Presentation: 9:15 am
Guest Preacher and Presenter: Prof. John Brug
Professor of Systematic Theology and Old Testament
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI
Meal: Ham & Turkey, Cheesy Potatoes, Vegetables, Salads, & St. John’s Famous Desserts
SECOND SERVICE: SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2009
Worship:
8 am & 10:30 am
Presentation: 9:15 am
Guest Preacher and Presenter: Pres. Mark Schroeder
Synod President, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Meal: Pot-luck meal provided by the Members of St. John’s
THIRD SERVICE: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009
Worship:
8 am & 10:30 am
Presentation: 9:15 am
Guest Preacher and Presenter: Pres. Mark Zarling
President, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN
Meal: Picnic sponsored by the Board of Church Properties
Recognition of past called workers
27
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Sources for this booklet of historical and current writings of St. John’s:
1887 † Pastor Hoyer in German
1909 † Pastor Mahnke in German
1934 a published history by † Pastor Petermann
1959 a published history by † Pastor Kionka and the Centennial Committee
1998 Senior Church History by Pastor Jason Jobs
2001 Senior Church History by Pastor Matthew Holtz
1984 St. John’s School History by Merlin Wilde
2009 History of St. John’s Ministry by Pastor Baumann
History of Washington County 1923 by Carl Quickert
History of the Wisconsin Synod by J.P. Koehler
The Wisconsin Synod Lutherans by E.C. Fredrich
Translators of German Minutes:
† Clarence Bretschneider
† Harold Trautsch
† Harry Suelflow
† Lillie Goeden
(† with the Lord)
May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers;
may he never leave us nor forsake us.
1 Kings 8:57 (NIV)
28
c. 1938
This
sesquicentennial
anniversary booklet is
dedicated to the glory of the
Triune God, by whose
mercy
and
grace
St.
John’s
Evangelical
Lutheran Church was
founded and preserved; to
the memory of the
courageous members and
former pastors and teachers
who built this congregation
on Jesus Christ, the chief
Cornerstone; to the faithful
members of today who,
following in the footsteps of
their fathers, are laboring
zealously to guarantee the
preaching and teaching of
God’s holy and saving Word
to their children and their
children’s children.
The Good Shepherd
I am the good Shepherd; I
know my Sheep and my
Sheep know me —
John 10:14
c. 1938
Christ at Heart’s Door
Here I am! I stand at the door
and knock. If anyone hears
my voice and opens the
door, I will come in and eat
with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:20
St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
Newburg, Wisconsin
Celebrating 150 Years
1859 — 2009