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19 Dec 1998
(Stories from the Kiron News - circa 1940s)
St. Johns to Celebrate Anniversary
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Pastor Gives A Bit of History of Stockholm Twp. Lutherans
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(By: Ferdinand Reith)
On Sunday, 14 December 1941, St. John’s Lutheran congregation of Stockholm township will observe her fiftieth anniversary and also the dedication of her rebuilt church. Pastor Walter Discher will conduct two services in the morning (German at 9:45 and English at 10:45). In the afternoon Pastor Luther Loesch, Lake City, will preach the service beginning at 2:30. Dinner will be served in the church basement.

St. John’s Lutheran congregation was organized 7 June 1891. The first officers were: elders -- Henry Giermann, John Koch, and William Schurke; secretary, Fred Schurke; treasurer, John Frahm. Eleven charter members signed the constitution on the day of organization: John Koch, Henry Giermann, Claus Frahm, John Frahm, August Hansohn, John Schmidt, John Neumann, William Schurke, August Schurke, August Schultz, and Fred Schurke. Of these fathers only two are still living: August Hansohn, still a member of the congregation, and William Schurke of near Denison.

In the first meeting a resolution was adopted to build a suitable house of worship. One of the members, John Koch, donated five acres of land for church purposes. The cornerstone of the new church was laid in the fall of 1891, and in March 1892, the church was dedicated to the service of the Triune God.

A little of the history of the congregation may prove of some interest. German pioneers came from Jackson county and settled in Stockholm Township. Some of these requested Pastor Haar of Denison to serve them as pastor, which he faithfully did for some time. However, when his widening activity made such service no longer convenient, Pastor L. A. Mueller of Sac County, was asked to serve. This was in 1881. At first Pastor Mueller preached every five weeks, later every two weeks. During the 10 years in which he served he experienced many hardships and difficulties on the 18 mile trip in every kind of weather across the prairies and hills of Crawford and Sac counties. Under his leadership St. John’s congregation was organized. In the fall of 1891 Pastor Mueller accepted the call of Peace Lutheran Church at Wall Lake. His successor in Cook Township, the Rev. K. G. Schlegel, succeeded him also in the spiritual care of the congregation. For 10 years he ministered unto them. When he was called to another church, the Rev. Fr. Wolter served for a short time. In the fall of 1902 the congregation adopted a courageous resolution to call their own pastor. Rev. A. Discher of Carroll, accepted the call extended him and for four and one-half years with diligence conducted services and taught the Christian day school. During this time the parsonage was built. When he was called to Wall Lake, the Rev. O. Richter, Farnhamville, Iowa, succeeded him. He faithfully served the congregation from 1907 to 1928. In March he was compelled by a lingering and incurable disease to resign his office. His successor, the Rev. Luther Loesch, DeRidder, Louisana was pastor from the fall of 1928 to the spring of 1937, when he accepted a call to the congregation at Lake City. Since August 1937, Pastor Reith has had charge.

Present officers of the congregation are: chairman, Gustav Stehr; elders - Henry Hansohn, Charles Baker, and Vertus Quade; financial secretary, C. H. Gronau; treasurer, August Stehr; secretary, Pastor F. Reith; finance board, C. H. Gronau, August Stehr, Fred Neumann, Gustav Stehr, Carl Koch, Albert Hansohn, John Koch, Fred Schurke, Arthur Maak, F. F. Gronau, and John Judy.

At the present time the congregation numbers 331 souls, 234 communicant members, and 48 voting members.

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Revised 2 Sept 1999
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