Below is a short story regarding the history of one of the Churches in Minnesota. Hope this helps someone ..... no sure of the spellings it does seem to be poorly written or transcribed. Ken Gerdes ken@guardianmfg.com Melbourne, FL ================================ Kurze (Brief) Geshiehte (story) der (of the) Evangelical Lutheran Immanuels congregation of Clara City, Minnesota. It was in the years 1887-88 that the first pioneers settled in this region, they were mostly German Lutherans, mostly from Illinois and Iowa, they were in hopes of finding in these prairie lands a peaceful living for themselves with the help of God. The hardships and severe problems these early pioneers had to endure is hard to put into words, they realized that far and wide there was no Lutheran church to be found, or for that matter no place to worship or hear and learn Gods word and share the sac-raments. So one of the first settlers, his name Herman Zuehlke from Watertown, Wis-consin, wrote a letter to his friend of former years, a pastor, H. Hoerig, telling of the conditions and needs of the people in this area who were anxious to start a Lutheran church, and asked for his help. Now it was this letter that started the negotiations, the message was sent on to the President of the Northeran District of the Lutheran church, Iowa Synod. So two pastors prepared to make the long journey to this area. These two pastors were for four years professors at Wartburg College in Clinton, Iowa. Pastor W. Nolting at that time from Harmony, Fillmore, Co., Minn., but at this writing is deceased. Pastor G. Blessin from Eldorado, Iowa who at this writing is still living, our heartfelt thanks for them sincerely. Now it is spring time of the year 1889, through the efforts and organizations of these two pastors and the people that the Immanuel Lutheran got started. It was May 19, 1889 that in the house of Hermann Zuehlke in Section 3, Stoneham Township, that the follow-ing people gathered together and under the direction of the Rev. Pastor G. Blessin organized and promised to support the Immanuel Lutheran congregation. There are 17 names listed in the church directory: Ksjen Hayenga, Georg Tuengel, B.A. Behrends, Behrend Beekman, Berend Warrings, Herman Zuehlke, Julius Spieker, Theo Reinhold, Ed Barbknecht, Luitjen Beuke, August Warmbold, Lammert Kleene, Arnd Mueller, Wilh. Bougs, Geo Behrends, Luecken Beckman, Heinrich Kramer. Detailed negotiations for the formation of a congregation began with -- as officers of the church these men were elected. Voted in for Elder or Deacons: H. Zuehlke, Sec.,Geo Tuengel, B. Beckman, and as Trustee: A. Warmbold, K. Heyenda, B.A. Behrends. A list of contributors to the pastors salary was brought to the attention of the above at the May 19,1889 meeting, which amounted to somewhat more that $100.00. Pastor .Blessin assured us of the assistance of the Synod to support the innermission treasury faithfully forwarded to us until the year 1897. It should also be noted that on that day May 19, 1889 twelve children were here and ,there baptized in their homes. On record, Hinrich Detje, Guske Ahlfs, Trientje, En-geline Dietje, Sarah Mueller, Elisabeth Beekman, Luecken Harms, Elske Beuke and Rabrand Jacobs. So now the beginning was made and they all agreed that they wanted a pastor of their own. So for the summer months the Synod sent a young student of theology, Arnold Janssen. Under his ambitious efforts the work progressed. They held regular services in an elevator of the Hollandish Land company. He also got a second group started in July at Raymond. It was named St. Johannes, which until the year 1903 was served from here as a sister congregation. They held services together. In August Pastor Edward Schroeder (now in Texas) arrived at Clara City. Under his supervision the congregation acquired their own property. The property for the church and parsonage was a gift from the Land company. They later bought more property in the area. Now is the time to build a church but where is the money to come from? The parishioners were all very poor and had great needs to survive in these prairie lands. So again the dear Pastor G. Blessin found advice and help. He got in touch with Herrn Friedrich Schack in Eldorado, Iowa. He loaned the congregation $1000.00. So now they could build a church 30 x 36, and 14 ft high on their property. On Reformation fest they dedicated it. So now the congregation had a beautiful place where they could worship undisturbed. Now Pastor Edward Schroeder is called away after approximately 1 year. With great sorrow they bid him farewell. Then in the fall of 1890 Pastor Heinrich Hafermann came and served for 2 years. Slowly but surely the number of parishioners grew. By now they have 34 memberships. They now buy 2 acres, 1/2 mile east of Clara City for a cemetery, also at this time they bid farewell to their Pastor Hafermann. In the fall of 1892 he received a call to Chippewa Fall, Wisconsin, later moved to Champaign, Ill. Now the congregation calls Arnold Janssen, who had been among them as a student. His sincere enthusiasm and hard work was deeply appreciated, but after approximately a half year became ill and had to resign. He moved to Talmage, Nebraska. After about a half year of vacancy they called candidate M. Haferman, who had just arrived from Germany. On Dec. 10, 1893 he was ordained and installed in this congregation by his brother, Pastor H. Haferman. He is at this time still their pastor. The very next summer a parsonage was build, 18 x 28 for $600.00 about 20 years ago now. The debt in the congregation was now $1400.00, this was a heavy load for the parishioners. They, were very grateful and thankful to Herrn F. Schack for his patience until they were able to pay off the big debt, when the loan payment dur in Oct., often was not paid until Easter, of the next year. Those bad times that were mentioned and the large indebtedness kept many people from joining. Because of this situation the membership dropped to 30 families. So in the year 1898 a great effort was made and at their annual meeting they decided to try their best to pay the debt, every one put forth a real sincere effort and found they had the full amount, plus $35.00 extra when the money was all in, so they could im-prove the parsonage somewhat. >From then on the congregation had it easier, also 25 more families joined the church. So in 1902 they made improvements in the church, such as a clock, better doors, also inside remodeling, all this at a cost of $2400.00. Then several years later they pur-chased land from the town and built the school house. And 4 years later the parsonage was completely remodeled for $1100.00. In the last year $800.00 more was spent inside the church building. During all this time the membership increase, they now have 113 families with 297 communioncant members, 526 souls - most gratefully express our sincere thanks to Almighty God that as a whole we have had peace in the congregation, only once there was a serious problem, but safely the storm passed over. This is how the membership stands at this writing, many of the 17 charter members are still among us. Baptized - 537 Confirmed - 280 Marries - 95 couples Buried 106 Some of the records are only our guess. Of the 17 charter families in this congregation are: B.A. Behrends, Bhr. Beekman, Benrend Warrings, Luitzen Beuke, Lammert Kleene, Geo Behrends, the widow of Heinrich Kramer. The rest have already passed for some years. Many have moved away, some married and joined elsewhere. Three families joined the Raymond St. Johannes congregation, Julius Spieker, Wilh. Bougs, Ed. Barbknecht. Some from these families passed on. The present Elders and Deacons are in office: John Gerdes, Jacob Steffens, Eibe Thelen, Trustees: Lammert Gerdes, W.F. Reiners, Cashier: Henry Klenke Sec. They all served faithfully and well for a long time. Also for the past 2 years they organized a ladies group. 29 are members at this time. They are a great blessing and helpful in many ways. Also make new improvements. The collections toward the Synod approximately since the year 1898 is $3879.38 (before this time no accurate records were kept) was given as a Thankoffering to our Lord God. Now as I conclude this history of the first 25 years I will mention once again our heartfelt thanks to Almighty God and now I pray in thy name Oh Lord, Bless and grant peace and goodwill toward us always. (This was submitted for the 25th anniversary of the church)