St Paul Lutheran Church (LCMC)

In 1850 a small band of German Lutherans feeling the need of a place of worship met for their first Divine Service in the home of Gottfried Brombacher, 517 Walnut Street. Following this first meeting other families invited the Church into their homes. These meetings continued for quite a while with only laymen in charge.In 1859 the congregation took two forward stepsthe first was to call Rev. John Lautenschlaeger as their pastor, the next was to petition the Court in November to buy property located on East Fourth Street from the Second Presbyterian Church. February 11, 1860, they entered into a contract with the Presbyterians to pay $450 for said property and in October of 1862 the deed was transferred to them. The Presbyterians retained the bell for their own usage because the Lutherans were too poor to pay the price asked for.A German parochial school was organized. After a few years it was disband in favor of a Sunday school which was organized for all children over six years of age. John C. Baus was the first Superintendent of the School. In 1864 the Ladies of the Church felt they should have some part in the work of the cause, organized a Ladies Society.In 1866 the Church Council petitioned the Court for authority to incorporate which was granted them April 10 of that year.After the resignation of Rev. Lautenschlaeger in 1869, Rev. Constantin Koeberlin was called to be the pastor of the Church. In 1870 a difficulty arose between the Synod and the local congregation which caused them to withdraw from the Synod and become an independent Church. During this period a petition was filed in the Court by a Darke County Lutheran Church to take the property away from these people. The Court rejected the petition on the grounds that Church property belongs to the worshippers and not to some outside organization. In 1876 Rev. John Hinderer was called as the pastor, after the death of Rev. Kocberlin. Rev. Hinderer was at that time serving Zion Lutheran Church, Wakefield, and his acceptance of the call united these two Churches into one Parish.In 1880 a difference of opinion arose among the ladies and they divided into two groupsone was called Mission Society and met after Services in the Church, the other was the Ladies' Society and met in the member's homes. In 1881 Rev. Wm. Funkey was called as pastor after the death of Rev. John Hinderer.In 1882 Rev. Funkey organized the first choir. From this originated the present Choir.In 1883 English was used for the first time in the services of the Church. Rev. Funkey preached German and English with fluency, as the occasion demanded.In 1885 Rev. Wm. Gettle was called to this parish after the resignation of Rev. Funkey. Little progress was made during these trying years, but the parish continued steadfastly. In 1889 Rev. E. E. Ortlepp was called to take over the work of this Church and immediately planned for advancement.In 1891 a new Church was erected at the cost of $7,500 including a bell purchased by the two Ladies Societies.In 1893 the first Luther League was organized with Rev. E. E. Ortlepp as its first president. The purpose of this society was to give the young people of the Church an active part in the work of the Church, and to develop them for future leadership. This organization has been in continuous operation since the day of its beginning, and has served the purpose for which it was foundedfor many of the leaders of the Church today have received their training in this society. On June 20, 1897 a newly installed Moller Organ was dedicated. The Church was redecorated for this occasion and gifts were presented as follows: An Altar, a Pulpit, a Hymn Board (all of San Diego mahogany), brass Crucifix and Candlesticks. The total cost of decoration and gifts was $3,500In 1900 the Church was again redecorated. A steam heating plant was installed and a slate roof replaced the wood shingled covering. The following Gifts were presented at this time: Fresco, relief decorations, carpe