By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
When a new piece of land was settled in the early years, the most important thing to be established was the church. The congregations of old were devoted in their religion, and felt the need for a God's House where they could meet and praise the Lord.
Though they often had to meet in homes at the beginning, and later share time with traveling ministers, they worked to establish a church of their own.
Such was the case of St. Peter Lutheran Church of New Richland, which is preparing to celebrate its 125th anniversary this weekend.
For the church’s 125th anniversary, the Rev. Scott Williams, former pastor Rev. Philip Lewison, and Bishop Steven Delzer of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod will lead the Sunday worship service on January 25th at 10:30 a.m. and a dinner for the members of the church will follow.
Beginning at 1 p.m., the public is invited to an afternoon program, "Music and Memories," at which time Pastor Lewison, who served as pastor of the church starting in 1976, will share memories about the church and its members. The program will also include special music by “Just Friends.” Following the program a social hour will be held.St. Peter Lutheran Church has been officially yoked with the St. Peter, Otisco congregation since 1896, 119 years ago. They began sharing a German-speaking pastor that year, and have never stopped working together.
According to The New Richland North Star newspaper, the German Lutherans of New Richland began holding church services at the Norwegian Lutheran Church in New Richland. The Rev. Klein of Owatonna would come to New Richland on the third Sunday of the month to lead the morning worship services.
By Oct. 24, 1889, the North Star reported that work on building a church for the German Lutherans was progressing fast. The church building had been erected, enclosed and shingled.
On Nov. 14 the paper reported: "The German Church is receiving the finishing touches and a coat of paint." By Nov. 28, St. Peter’s Evangelical Church, which seated 175 people, was dedicated. German language services were held at 10 a.m. and English language services were held at 2 p.m. on Sundays.
By 1913, the congregation had outgrown its facility, and they bought a small building across the street for confirmation and ladies aid meetings. The Rev. John Herbst began serving as Pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church in 1921 and was succeeded in 1931 by Elmer F. Ackermann.
Rev. Ackermann later brought the church through a building program.
At the time of the church’s 45th anniversary, the membership had grown and the members realized that their small wood structure, which seated about 175, would not sustain their growing congregation. A meeting of the congregation was held, and by a vote of 71 in favor, and 7 against, it was decided to build a new church.
The cornerstone for the brick worship building was laid on May 2, 1937, and the last service at the old church was held on Aug. 15. A full week of dedication, ending in a brief farewell service, was held on Sept. 5. A photo of the congregation, which numbered about 200, was taken by the local photographer, William Stiehl. The picture is still on display in the church, and serves as a reminder of this historical occasion in the church’s history.
Procession to the new church was ceremonial. An opening service took place at the entrance of the new church. A second, more formal procession led the people of the church inside for the dedication service, which included a sermon by the Rev. E. A. Welke, then President of the Minnesota District, American Lutheran Church at the time. Later that afternoon, a service was spoken by a former pastor of the of the church, E. C. Schultz. Other events for that week were the presentation of the Hammond Electric Organ, a talk by architect Ernest H. Schmidt, and a Luther League meeting. Confirmation and communion on Sunday concluded the dedication week activities.
The complete cost of the building, including the furniture and art glass was approximately $24,000.
In 1938 the congregation decided to sell the old church building for $375, the lot for $300, and the school for $350. The church was dismantled and the material was used to build a house. The school was remodeled and used for a residence.
A Farm and City Days worship service is being planned in the city park in New Richland for July 12th this year. The St. Peter Lutheran congregation plans to wrap up their 125th Anniversary celebration at that time and will be hosting a lunch following the morning worship service in the park.