"Tidbits of History"

1852 - First Burial, J.D. Cordes

1854 - Forty acres of ground was purchased from George A. McKay.

1857 - July 19, St. Martin's organized as a congregation

           August 9, First infant christened - Henry Frederick Sauergahen

1858 - April 18, First confirmation class

1859 - July 22, First wedding: Henry Eggers & Maria Gruenhold

1863 - 1870 Ladies Aid, now known as "Women's Fellowship" was organized

1871 - White frame church built

1931 - Current parsonage built

1932 - July 17, 75th Anniversary Celebration

1934 - St. Martin's becomes a member of Evangelical and Reformed Synod

1947 - July 20, 90th Anniversary Celebration

          The church paper "St. Martin's News" was published each month and later named "The Echo:

1957 - July 21, 100th Anniversary Celebr1ation

           July 21 @ 2:00 pm - ground was broken at the site of the proposed new church, just a few feet from the existing building

           St. Martin's becomes a member of the United Church of Christ

1958 - February 23 - Final service was held at the white frame church

            March 2 - The new sanctuary was dedicated with Rev. Paul Wobus as guest speaker

1963 - January 6 - Ground was broken for the education building

           November 10 - dedication of the education building

1966-67 - Kindergarten classes held in the education building since there was not a public Kindergarten

1972 - February 5, Rev. William D. Froeschner, Chaplain & family of Fort Leonard Wood, were invited to a covered dish supper to meet                   the congregation. The following morning, Rev. Froeschner led the worship

1982 - July 15 - 125th Anniversary Celebration

1984 - May 13 - church Building Committee organized - current church building was structurally unsound

1986 - May 9 - Groundbreaking for new church in same location. 94 yr old, Frank Viehland, turned the first shovel of dirt assisted by 2 yr              old William Strupp.

1987 - May 17 - Dedication of new building by Rev. David Felton. Message was by Rev Reuben Koehler

            July 19 - 130th Anniversary Celebration

1988 - December 2, Rev. Ivan Horn and family met with the congregation and did presentation sermon the following Sunday

1989 - January, Meals on Wheels began

            September 17, Dedication of parsonage renovation, new storage building and church stained glass windows

1990 - 30 additional acres purchased from James Keane

1992 - July 18-19, 135th Anniversary Celebration

1993 - September 19 - Dedication of Memorabilia case in Narthex

1994 - November 20, Mortgage burning

1997 - July 19, 140th Anniversary Celebration

1999 - November 7, Veteran's Memorial Monument Dedication

**** More to come *** 

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