New Salem Lutheran Church Sebewaing MI

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Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod  

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History of the New Salem Lutheran church of Sebewaing, Michigan, 1853-1953

A Century With Christ...

One hundred years of existence, one hundred years of grace, as a visible congregation dedicated to the work of the Lord in His vineyard-preaching and teaching the Gospel and administering the sacraments in this community and in the Synod it joined to help in this blessed work in the world at large. The centennial birthday certainly merits observance, a celebration of Thanksgiving to the praise and glory of God, who has been with us with His Word through calm and stormy days. The words of the Psalmist are also ours—Psalm 46, 1-5: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early."

In celebrating a Centennial it is fitting to review one hundred years of history from the beginning to the present. God, of course, through the instrumentality of men, placed New Salem Church in this vicinity to help in carrying on His work. As for the mother of this congregation we must go back to Salem Lutheran Church at Scio, Michigan in Washtenaw County, near Ann Arbor, the oldest organized Lutheran Congregation in Michigan. It was a mission minded congregation, which, led by the mission-minded pastor Frederick Schmid, thought not only of their own souls but also of winning the souls of others. They thought especially of the lot of the heathen Indians and decided to do something about it. So, we are told in the spring of 1845, three missionaries namely Auch, Dumser, and Sinke, whom Pastor Schmid himself had trained and ordained, were commissioned to do mission work among the Chippewa Indian tribes in the Indian Territory in the Thumb along Saginaw Bay.

One early morning in June, 1845, three wagons arrived at the parsonage in Scio, and were loaded with clothing, furnishings, food, etc, which the congregation generously brought. After everything was in readiness for the journey, everyone sang and prayed that God would bless their new missionary venture. The three drivers were Jacob Jedele, John Koch and J. Paul.

In the fall of 1852 a few young members of Salem Congregation were encouraged by Pastor Schmid to leave Scio and to establish a. new home for themselves in the vicinity of Sebewaing (Auchville). These young men were Peter Schairer, John Baur, Philip Schlemmer and John Strieter. Their number was increased the following year by newcomers from Ohio, especially from Tiffin. Their names were K. Zimmer; Nicolas Zimmer; Frederick Armbruster; Math. Armor uster; Val Wagner; Theobold Becker; Fr. Ziegler and others. Thus a nucleus was formed and in the autumn of 1853 New Salem Lutheran Church was organized. Peter Schairer, John Baur and John Strieter were elected members of . the first Church Council.

The newly-organized congregation was given the name New Salem in honor of its mother - church in Scio Township, but above all, . to serve them as a continual reminder of the New Jerusalem or New Salem above, the city fair and high, the goal of their earthly pilgrimage, where they expected to find sweet repose following their trials, temptations and battles of this earthly life. Thus New Salem of Sebewaing, active and full of much spiritual life, became a true daughter congregation of Salem at Scio.

Having no church structure, their divine services were held in private homes. Soon, however, they became convinced that unless a congregation have its own pastor, it will not make headway. Bearing this in mind, the fathers of New Salem congregation petitioned Pastor Friedrich Schmid to provide for their spiritual need. The pioneer pastor of Michigan, though indeed a very busy man, listened to their urgent appeal, and personally supplied them at least a few times during the year with the means of grace until he could supply them with the services of another pastor. This was Christian Volz, pastor in Saginaw and missionary of Saginaw Valley. On his missionary journeys he also came to Sebewaing, where in the home of P. Schairer he held services for the grateful members of New Salem. But after half a year of such service, he was called to Lansing, Mich, and his brother Conrad Volz became the missionary in Saginaw Valley on November 14, 1854 and eight Pastor Friedrich Schmid days later he was on his way to the distant New Salem Church in Sebewaing on foot from Saginaw. He served the congregaton for over a year. It was through him that the congregation in the Spring of 1854 purchased 20 acres of land from Conrad Kull of Saginaw. In October 1855 Pastor Friedrich Nuffer became the first resident pastor of New Salem Congregation, and so necessitated the building of a parsonage of logs on the new property. The following year the members erected (1856) their own first house of worship, a log church. This was also a necessity, since the home of Ph. Schaierer in which services had been held could no longer accommodate the increasing membership.

Though small and humble the building, yet it was a great day of rejoicing for the members to be able to worship in their own church. Pastor Nuffer served the congregation for four years. In late 1859 he resigned from the congregation and joined the Missouri Synod.

At the close of his pastorate (1859) New Salem Congregation affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Michigan, which at this time was organized in Monroe, Mtch'.gan. New Salem was ready and willing to become a member of this body because it was happy to find that the Snnod of Michigan believed, taught and confessed God's pure Word.

For a year the congregation had to be satisfied with reading services until in October, 1830, Pastor H. Steinecke arrived and was installed. He served for four years, and was followed by Robert Weise, who had charge of the congregation for the short period of about six months.

After a vacancy of three years the congregation received Pastor H. Gangnuss for their minister. He was installed by Pastor W. Reuter of Bay City. Pastor Gangnuss aimed especially at building up the school which had suffered during the vacancy. The congregation was cooperative, for the members were eager to have their children thoroughly instructed in Christian doctrine in addition to readng, writing and arithmetic, as may be seen from the minutes of the cong regation. By the grace of God, Pastor Gangnuss served the congregation for 17 years (1868-1885). His labor was visibly blessed by the Lord. Worthy of mention is the fact that New Salem congregation built their new church (the building we still worship in) and parsonage while committed to the care of Pastor Gangnuss. The memorable year was 1873. Unanimously and joyfully the congregation resolved to build its present house of worship. The cornerstone was laid on May 15, 1873. The congregation also purchased two church bells and an organ. The expenditure was about $6,000.

Under the guidance of Carpenters Birsching and Henning the members brought the building to completion. On the 28 ih Sunday after Trinity, October 12, 1873, the completed building was dedicated to the glory and service of God by Pastor Gangnuss after a short service in the old log church and the singing of "Unsern Ausgang segne Gott." After the singing of the hymn: "Tut mir auf die schoene Pforte" the doors of the new church were unlocked and the congregation and guests from neighboring churches entered. Pastor Christoph Eberhardt of Saginaw, Michigan, preached the dedication sermon in the morning and Pastor Wilhelm Kramer of Zilwaukee, Michigan, delivered the sermon in the afternoon service and Pastor Wilhelm Reuther of Bay City, Michigan, delivered an address. The choir of Bay City, Michigan, rendered appropriate selections. After Pastor Gangnuss was peacefully released to accept a call, the congregation called Pastor Wilhelm Kramer of Zilwaukee, Michigan. He accepted the call and arrived on May 20, 1885 and served the congregation two and a half years. Under his pastorate a new school house was decided upon.

School had been conducted in the former old log church. In May, 1868, the old log building was removed and the new school, 24 ft. x 42 ft. in dimension and at a cost of $842.79, was erected. On the 29th of August, 1886, the school was dedicated by Pastor Kramer, Pastor Christoph Eberhard of Saginaw preaching the dedication sermon and Teacher Sperling giving an address.

Pastor Kramer was followed by Pastor Chr. Metzger, who resigned after two and a half years of service. On November 15, 1890, the congregation called Pastor G. Stern. During his pastorate, that is, in 1892, the church was remodeled, which included raising the height of the walls, plastering, the addition of the sacristy, the extension of the balcony, the changing of the pews to make three aisles and a complete paint job. Pastor Stern served until August 15, 1896. '

The congregation then called Pastor Carl Binhammer, who accepted the call and was installed into office on November 9, 1896, by Pastor G. Wacker of Berne, Michigan, who had served as vacancy pastor. Pastor Binhammer served the congregation faithfully until May 15, 1921. On June 5, 1921, Pastor Gustav Schmelzer was called. He accepted the call after he was called the second time and served the congregation from July, 1921, to September 9, 1945.

It was during Pastor Schmelzer's pastorate that the amalgamation of New Salem Lutheran Church in the country and St. John's Lutheran Church in the village took place and the church and school buildings of New Salem were moved into town.

When St. John's Lutheran Church, an independent congregation of Lutherans, found itself without a pastor after the Rev. K. Ziegler left in 1913, it requested the services of New Salem's pastor Binhammer It's wish was granted and so Pastor Binhammer served both his own and St. John's congregation until the Sunday of his peaceful release to accept a call to Allegan, Michigan. It was in this same meeting that a resolution was passed to permit an elected committee of St. John's to sit in on the meetings of New Salem with speaking and voting rights. From this time forth the seed of amalgamation began to grow and was often mentioned but no real action was taken on the question until February 5, 1933 and March 6, 1933. On April 23, 1933 the amalgamation took place under the name of New Salem Lutheran Church of Sebewaing, Michigan in a joint meeting of both congregations.

With two church buildings on its hands it was decided that the church in the country, two miles southeast of Sebewaing on the Caro Road, should be moved into town to replace the St. John's edifice. This was decided in a meeting on August 9, 1934 and a committee was placed in charge, composed of Messers Herman Wagner, Adolph Baur, Fred Armbruster and Albert Baur. The St. John's building was sold to the highest bidder. It was remade into a dwelling house and stands on the Southwest corner of Fifth and Zimmer streets in Sebewaing.

In February of 1935 the New Salem church was moved, intact, with its bells in the steeple, across the fields to its present site on Fifth and Grove Streets. The cornerstone was laid on April 7, 1935 with appropriate services. A basement, and entrance were added. The pews of St. John's replaced most of the old pews of New Salem and St. John's church bell, a gift of Mr. Ernst Reinhold, was added to the bells in the steeple. The dedication took place on June 2, 1935. Later the property in the country with the exception of the cemetery was sold and the school building was moved into the village and placed beside the church in 1938, where the congregation had purchased the Neumann property. The house on this property was remodeled and became the parsonsage un- til under the pastorate of Pastor Nathanael Luetke (1945 - May 4, 1947) the congregation purchased the Reithel estate. The old teacherage to the rear of the church was sold and moved. The house on the Reithel estate was remodeled as the parsonage and the former parsonage became the teachers dwelling.

After being without a pastor from June 1947 to May 1948, Pastor Carl H. Miller accepted the call and was installed on May 19, 1948 and is at present New Salem's pastor in this centennial year. Many improvements have been made on buildings and property, especially in preparation for its centennial celebration, improvements that flow from the hearts of members as offerings of gratitude for the same pure Word and doctrine being preached and taught today as during the past one hundred years. As evidence of that the congregation has kept its membership in the Michigan Synod and when that Synod joined the Joint Synod of Wisconsin and Other States it went along and stipulates in its Constitution that it will retain such membership so long as that body adheres to the confession of faith of the Lutheran Church. And so God has been with us in His Word, making of New Salem an instrument of His, which has served Him and Pastor Carl Miller

His Kingdom and the countless souls it has taken under the shadow of its wings from the cradle to the grave and countless others who have always been welcome to be guests, by dispensing the Means of Grace, namely the Word and the Sacraments. Many are they who have been baptized, confirmed, taught and instructed in Christian Doctrine, married and visited and buried since New Salem Congregation was born. Many labored, who can tell how much, giving of their money, time and efforts for New Salem's welfare and best interests. On this centennial we think of them and may we be blessed with many such faithful and loyal members in years to com 2 so that our children and children's children may call us blessed.

Yes, may God remain with New Salem and bless it and keep it in His grace for years to come with love for Him and our fellow men, peace and zeal to do the Lord's work, courage to face the future trusting in the Almighty and strong faith, faith unwavering in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for the salvation of precious, blood-bought souls.

St. Johns Lutheran Church, which was removed and is now serving as a private dwelling.

Children For Chirst ....

Ever since its organization the members of New Salem have been interested in the christian education of their children and in the maintainence of a Christian Day School.

Even when the going was rough and it meant sacrificing and the temptation was present to dispense with a school, the school was kept going. At first the pastors served as teachers until in 1896 a teacher F. W. Vogelpohl from Norfolk, Nebr. served for a term in the pastorate of G. Stern. Again Pastors Binhammer and Schmelzer conducted the school until on May 21, 1922 the congregation together with St. John's Lutheran Church, Sebewaing assigned to the schoolboard the duty of investigating ways and means to call and support a teacher. However, it was not until September 1924 that New Salem started the school term with a regularly trained parochial school teacher and has continued to call and support such teachers to the present date, teachers who have served New Salem faithfully. They are:

F. W. Vogelpohl 1896 Erna Hinze Sept. 1924 to June 1925 Esther Buchholz . . . Sept. 1925 to June 1926 Erna Hinze Sept. 1926 to June 1929 Norma Meister Sept. 1929 to June 1930 Irene Zarling Sept. 1930 to June 1934 William Arras Sept. 1934 to June 1940 Roland Bode Sept. 1940 to June 1943 W. Huber Sept. 1943 to June 1945 Mrs. Harold Wagner Sept. 1945 to June 1947 Dohald Zimmerman Sept. 1947 to June 1949 Glenn Wiechmann . . Sept. 1949 to June 1950 Gerald Berger .... Sept. 1950 to present day

From: https://dp.la/item/eca10813c843773d297355968699f3cb