Chronicle of the Congregation
(1903-1916)
Translation from German and footnotes by Hans-Georg Schmitz, Bad Schönborn, Germany
In Mid October 1903, Pastor Leutwein came here to gather a German protestant (evangelish) congregation on behalf of the hon. Central Board of Home Mission of the German Ev. Synod of N.A. It may be well understandable that such a mission work was not an easy one, especially in a big city like Seattle that is more and more addicted to the world and to entertainment. The first service took place on Oct. 25, 1903 in the German Congregationalist Church [1], which former members had most friendly placed to our disposal. The assembly consisted of about a dozen listeners. The text of the sermon was Rev. 3,8: “See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.” Trusting in this promise of God, Pastor Leutwein started his work in this city. Indeed, here too, the old proverb was confirmed: “Every beginning is hard.” There well were quite a number of German families living in Ballard and vicinity; these, however, did not care about church and God’s word. But among some discouraging experiences, Pastor Leutwein could also find good hearts which had a lively interest for the sake of the Lord’s church. After about three months of intense activity he succeeded in uniting a small bunch of protestant Christians to a congregation.
On Sunday Febr. 21, 1904 at 2:30 in the afternoon, he called for the first congregational assembly. After it was opened with singing, scripture reading, and prayer, the constitution of the congregation, prepared by the pastor, was presented and accepted with all its paragraphs. On this basis the congregation was organized under the name Deutsche Evangelische Sankt Pauli Gemeinde (German Protestant St. Paul’s Congregation). So Febr. 21, 1904 is the congregation’s birthday. Fourteen members joined the congregation and by their signature acknowledged the above rules. Their names are: Hg. [2] Hilke sr. Hg. Kastner, Frank Hensel, Johann Kindsvogel, Friedrich Mueller, Adolph Schroeder, Hg. Pehling, John Diehl, Chas. Pehling, Mrs Louise Hensel, Mrs Mary Pehling, Mrs Charlotte Mueller, Mrs Elise Hilke, and Mrs Hedwig Herman. During the opening year the following members also joined the congregation: Mrs Hedwig Kastner, John Deiftmeyer, August Gehse, Peter Lony, Mrs Susanne Lony, Mrs Anne Diehl, and Mrs Emilie Stark; so, by the end of 1904 the congregation counted 21 members that were entitled to vote.
In June 1904 the congregation was incorporated. During this year also a women’s association was called to life, and a few months later a youth association. Both societies always bravely and faithfully helped with the well-being and building of the congregation. A Sunday school already existed in the congregation since Nov. 3, 1903. It has made quite pleasurable progress during the past 12 years.
Church attendance was rather poor in the opening year, especially during the summer months. Some members of good opinion at that time were silently asking: Will our congregation last, or will it sooner or later disintegrate? The question was even more legitimate, as we did not have a church building at that time, but had to make use of the old Congregationalist Congregation’s hospitality. We still owe heartfelt thanks to the former members of this congregation that all year long they left us their church without any fee. Although it gave a rather primitive impression and was not able to attract spoiled city people, we were glad to have a place to conduct our services. And even if the prospects for the future of our congregation were quite dull, we did not give up. Firmly and faithfully we held together relying on the help and blessings of the Lord. And behold, this blessing did not fail to come true.
At the beginning of 1905 a turn to better happened, and vivid new life was felt in the congregation.
It long had been the desire of all members to possess their own church house. Therefore, the congregation took a loan of $400.00 from the Synod’s church building fund and requested a special collection from all its members and from friends and acquaintances. As the collected sum was not sufficient the congregation also took a $250 credit from a member. This loan was paid back two years later, and the debt to the building fund was reduced to $280.00.
In the beginning of December 1904, we were offered to buy the former Congregational Church where we had held our services since. After careful consideration the congregation decided to accept this offer. It paid $400.00 for the church building. By arrangement of Mr. Schüssler, former head of the old Congregational Church, also their possessions of over $100.00 were transferred to it. The yearly assembly of January 1905 decided to have a thorough renovation of the church and to build a bell tower and an addition to serve for schooling and clubs. Immediately after New Year the construction was started. It was a diligent and cheerful working. With heartfelt thanks we remember those men who for weeks every night helped to build the church at the light of candles and lanterns. And wherever possible, even during daylight they helped to speed up the construction and reduce the costs. The church lot was embellished, the interior of the church was wallpapered and supplied with electric light, new church benches, altar and pulpit, and chairs were bought. The youth association took care of a nice carpet, the women’s association of a runner through the aisle. Some members of the women’s club got the pulpit and altar cloths, the pulpit bible, two altar chairs, a dozen hymnals, a Liedertafel, and two offering plates. Other members gave their presents in cash. A local watchmaker presented a nice grandfather clock and a woman friend a nice silver communion set.
On holy Easter, April 23, 1905 the church was finished enough to be dedicated to the service of God triune. After the usual ceremonies, the church doors were opened, and the congregation entered God’s sanctuary, head first the local pastor with the elders who carried the bible and the holy vessels. The inauguration was conducted by the local pastor, and pastor F. U. Freund of Portland OR delivered the dedication sermon. The choir which had been founded a year before, glorified the celebration by our lovely songs for four voices. It was a blessed and unforgettable day for the congregation. Now that it had its own church house, it made nice progress. Here too, the proverb proved true: “A stove of your own is precious as gold.” Although there was no lack of difficulties of all kinds, the congregation visibly grew and got stronger.
At Pentecost 1907, May 19, the congregation held its first mission festival, combined with the dedication of its new church organ, which shortly before they had bought at $85.00.
From June 24 – 29 1909, during the Alaska, Yukon, and Pacific Exhibit, the first conference of the newly formed Washington Mission District held its meetings in the congregation. Among the guests was Pastor J. Baltzer, chairman of the former Home Mission Board and substitute of the former Synod chairman. We still remember his genuine speeches and addresses. Those conference days were actual days of blessings for our parish. A year later, from July 7 – 10, 1910, the former Synod chairman pastor J. Pister of Cincinnati delighted us with his visit and strengthened the congregation in two well attended services. In the course of time, other visiting pastors as well preached in our church, among them the late Pastor F. Frigge of Louisville KY and the travelling preacher Ewald from Germany. All of them did not miss to give words of teaching and encouragement.
For quite a while the members, especially the women and youth associations had wished to build a basement underneath the church, that would provide for meetings of their groups and for Sunday school, as well as for promoting Christian fellowship like socials and evening entertainments. Unfortunately, the means necessary to realize this request were always lacking. Finally in spring 1914 the women’s association had collected the considerable amount of $600.00 by their active labor. In addition, several hundred dollars were raised by members and friends of the congregation. Also, the business people in Ballard and Seattle signed for acknowledgeable sums, so that after Easter of 1914 the construction of the basement could be started. As the Synod’s Church Building Fund helped with a loan of $30.00, the building committee even had means enough to install a central heating system for the church. In July the basement already could be dedicated. The ceremony took place on Wednesday evening, July 29, 1914. Since then, the meetings of the women’s and youth group and Sunday school have been held in the basement of the church. In addition to constructing the basement, the church building underwent a thorough renovation inside and outside, so that the congregation now can enjoy a beautiful and festive church property. May each member gratefully acknowledge this and delightedly confess: “Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.” The total costs of basement, central heating and renovation of the church were a little above $1,500.00. All has been paid except for about $250.00 which we still owe to the Synod’s Building Fund. Praise and thanks to the Lord for graciously helping us through!
Furthermore, it should be mentioned that pastor A. Leutwein, who had founded the congregation 12 1/2 years ago and has served it since, laid down his duty with the congregation on Aug. 20, 1916, in order to follow the call of the Ev. St. John’s Congregation at Woodland, CA. We are in good confidence that his work here was not in vain in the Lord. May the blessings of the Almighty rest on the parish henceforth, so that more and more it may grow and increase into Him who is the head, that is Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday and today and forever.
PASTORS:
Rev. E. E. Beltzer Jun 1916 – Dec 19, 1919
Rev. Thes. Hauck Apr. 1920 to April 10, 1922
Rev. John Hille July 1922 – 1924
FOOTNOTES:
1. The German Congregational(ist) Church probably was a church of the so called reformed tradition (“Reformierte”) from along the Rhine river, since they had a congregational structure: rather autonomous parishes with church elders and synods, no bishops.
2. Probably Hansgeorg or Hans-Georg.