St. Paul Church celebrates 100th anniversary
With the exception of general maintenance and building upkeep, the interior and exterior of St. Paul Church in Guttenberg has remained much the same as the original footprint. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
Every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ was faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if we hold fast our confidence and pride in our hope. Hebrews 3:4-6.
St. Paul Lutheran Church, located at 214 South First Street in Guttenberg, will hold a 100th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Nov. 7. Bishop Kevin T. Jones, ELCA Northeastern Iowa Synod, will provide the sermon at the 1 p.m. service, followed by a luncheon.
St. Paul Lutheran Church history
St. Paul's congregation can be traced back to the period immediately following World War I. The "Americanization" and liberalization of most churches across the nation sparked a number of people in Guttenberg to seek assistance in organizing another Lutheran congregation in Guttenberg.
They called upon the assistance of The Rev. K. Wm. Braun, Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Garnavillo. Pastor Braun, together with The Rev. Otto Doering (The Home Missionary Superintendent of the Wartburg Synod) and several local people, conducted a survey of the area to determine the feasibility of establishing another Lutheran Church.
A canvass of the community secured 75 interested people, and on Sunday, Oct. 16, 1921 the tentative congregation became permanent.
Pioneer Rock Church bell
In 1927, St. Paul Church purchased a twelve-hundred pound bell and held a dedication ceremony on Oct. 23. Congregation members were originally going to purchase the unused bell at the decaying Pioneer Rock Church at Ceres. After considerable negotiations, the bell was purchased, but it was never brought to Guttenberg. The sale of the bell sparked interest and created a movement to restore and renovate the old rock church, which now serves as a historical monument and pleasant picnic area for Iowa tourists.
Meeting minutes revealed, "In the spirit of Christian love and in the interest of local history, the St. Paul's Congregation agreed to invalidate their purchase of the bell and allow it to remain in the Ceres Church."
100th Anniversary planning committee
St. Paul planning committee members Janice Andregg, Linda Aulwes, Melissa Koehn, Kathy Krieg, Katie Matt and Cindy Moser have been busy preparing for the upcoming celebration.
"We decided to hold the celebration on All Saints Day, so those attending could light a candle for their loved ones," said Cindy Moser.
"We have gathered over 600-plus pictures from the church archives, and some that parishioners have shared and created a video presentation for the special event," shared Melissa Koehn.
Fifth generation parishioner Janice Andregg started the ball rolling at a council meeting this summer. Linda Aulwes, who is also a fifth generation member said, "Janice reminded us at a council meeting that the church is celebrating its 100th anniversary."
The committee members went to work and started compiling information from the church's extensive history. Kathy Krieg put together a 17-page program highlighting important facts, a list of former Pastors, their years of service and accomplishment during their time at St. Paul.
A personal account of WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Church of America) history is also included in the program, submitted by longtime parishioner Sharon Moser.
"We are grateful for the meticulous notes that have been recorded throughout the years from past meetings and celebrations, including the original minutes after the church was built in 1922," noted Kathy Krieg. "Once we started to dig we found all kinds of treasures. We added to the existing history and brought the rest of it up to date."
"Kathy Krieg did a terrific amount of research," they collectively agreed.
"What really stands out is the number of families that were involved in the early formation of St. Paul, and how quickly they raised money and built the church," they commented. "God has always placed the right minister for us at the right time. We have had interns and shared pastors through out the years that always seemed to be the perfect fit."
The group expressed deep gratitude for St. John's Lutheran Church, Pastor Michael Ashman, the administrative staff, past ministers and their welcoming, cooperative support.
St. Paul Church, outside of general maintenance and building upkeep, has remained much the same as the original footprint. "A stage was removed making way for a larger kitchen in the early seventies and a lower level entry way and elevator was added, and the aging bell tower was replaced," explained members. "The interior of the church is original with the exception of two small windows that were replaced with stained glass in memory of Jeff Kolker, son of Sandy and the late Jim Kolker."
The committee's research revealed only a small outline of a handful of people and events that mark St. Paul's 100-year anniversary. With deep gratitude they expressed, "Except in the instance where a memory may be awakened, we cannot possibly reveal the countless hopes and dreams, plans and labors, accomplishment and failure, satisfactions and regrets and joys and sorrows which have mingled together over the years to make up the birth, growth and life of this congregation.”
They added, “We pay tribute to each and every person, named or unnamed, who has in any way contributed to the existence and furtherance of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Guttenberg. We extend to you a sincere word of gratitude. Especially we lift our hearts and voices to God in thanksgiving, in praise and in prayer.”
