Some of the first remembered organists were Mrs. Lucy Weber and Mrs. Fischer wife of Rev. Fischer. Lydia Mensing, Martha (Schull) Jaeger, Phyllis (Lortz) Lutter, Mrs. Freida Damm are also mentioned in the old records although insure many others helped out throughout the years for brief amounts of time. It is interesting for note that $1.00 a year was collected from each family to pay the organist and fire builder.
The pump organ purchased in 1926 was replaced in 1962 by a new electric Wurlitzer. Marlene (Shull) Schultz played it regularly for quite a few years.
Our present organ was built in Salem, Ohio by Carl Borkhoff, a German immigrant. and was originally purchased by St. Johns Lutheran Church in Good Thunder in 1895. In 1931 it was replaced by a larger organ and sold to Immanuel Lutheran also of Good Thunder where it was used until 1960 when it was moved here following the merger of Immanuel Lutheran and St. Johns Lutheran (now Redeemer Lutheran).
With the acquisition of this beautiful old organ we also gained a new organist, Mrs. Phyllis Kaul, who shared the responsibility of playing with Marlene for Sunday worship, Sunday school, Weddings, Funerals and other events. Following Marlene's retirement, Phyllis continued to generously share her talent until retiring in 1986, having played the organ in Church for 25 years.
Martha Jensen and Robert Hoppe have shared their musical abilities, providing us with beautiful and inspirational music on this faithful old organ which has recently been completely cleaned and restored by Robert Hoppe. Presently we enjoy the beautiful sounds of this beloved organ played by Marlene Schultz and Sharon Edwards.
Hopefully it will continue to be of service and appreciated by many more generations.
Many of the old settlers who came to Decoria Township here in Minnesota were of German descent; a large percentage of them coming directly from Germany. They brought with them a strong faith in God and the desire to continue their worship in the same manner as they had in their native land and as their forefathers had.
Believing the promise of God in Matthew18:20, "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them," they gathered together in the S.J. Mantor home for their first religious service in 1867. The sermon was preached by Rev. Kidder, a Universalist minister from Indiana. Services continued to be held in the various homes in the community.
Outgrowing the room in homes they banded together and formed a congregation in 1886 and began to meet regularly in the Lortz Schoolhouse. They were served by Rev. Schultz and Rev. Wolff. Records date back to Nov.6, 1887; both records and services were all in the German language.
After a few years their need for a church grew. In the Old Testament in the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The people were glad and responded, "Let us rise up and build." Then Nehemiah added "They strengthened their hands for the good work. "Later he comments "The people had a mind to work. "That's exactly what these God loving, hardy, hard working pioneers did. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Weber (grandfather of our treasurer Donna Weber) donated the land. They sacrificed from their meager incomes and raised the necessary money. Charles Herzberg and Henry Lortz were hired for the carpenter work and many donated their labor. It was a joyous occasion when it was completed in 1887. Rev. George Appel accepted the call and brought his bride with him to the community. They lived with the Henry Webers until the parsonage was completed three months later. In the first class confirmed were W.A. Weber, John Bohlke, Henry Schultz, and Lydia Just. Rose Rader, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Rader, was the first to be baptized. Since that time 721 people have become heirs of the Kingdom of God through Holy Baptism.
Rev. Wm. Ganschow supplied the pulpit for the next four years. Under his leadership the church was duly incorporated at Mankato on June 16, 1890. The name chosen was "German Evangelical Lutheran Johannes Church of Decoria." Adam Keller, Ernest Treubenbach, and Fred Schwanbeck were the trustees with George Ganschow, Fredrick Herzberg and Henry Weber as witnesses. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Just were the first to be married. Since that time many couples have pledged their love and been joined in holy matrimony.
In 1894 Rev. Karl Killian was called. He was very liberal in his ideas and the church grew in many ways. He was especially gifted in his music ability and while here organized a very popular and well known band and started a choir.
Records, at times, become sketchy and rather incomplete but we do know that the Reverands Langholz, Fischer,Hayer, Schank and Girkensmeier followed. Rev. Jacob Buerkle and his family arrived in 1918, remaining seven years. In April, 1921 Mrs. Buerkle organized the Ladies Aid. Their daughter Freida was to return to the parsonage seventeen years later as wife of Rev. F. Damm.
It was in 1926 when Rev. Ewald Kaiser came to be pastor that the services were begun in English. He organized the Sunday School and the Luther League that boasted 43 members. The League through plays and other fundraisers raised enough money to buy a new organ. The Aid financed a new front porch for the parsonage. In 1929 the secretary's book was begun to be written in English.
In July, 1933 Rev. Otto Lindekugel was called. Feeling the need for a new temple of worship, Carl Carlson and son were contracted to erect a new building at the cost of $6,000 with $1,000 allotted for furnishings. The Ladies Aid supplied the new oak pews and altar and held a kitchen shower to supply the kitchen needs. The cornerstone was laid on September 1, 1935 and it was dedicated on December 6. An interesting note was that the ladies served dinner, charging $0.45 for adults and $0.20 for children 6-15 years of age. Lunch was served in the afternoon; adults $0.20 and children $0.10.
There are many memories of that era of ice cream socials on the lawn and in Ernest Thurn's grove. Ruben Lortz is especially remembered for handing out nickels to children for extra ice cream cones. One of the most celebrated days of the church year was Mission Festival Sunday. It was am all-day affair with special speakers and a bountiful dinner at noon and lots of good fellowship with not only members of the congregation but neighboring churches as well. It called for everyone to be bedecked in their best with even maybe a new dress for the event.
Marlene (Schull) Schultz was the first baby to be baptized in this new edifice. Her grandfather Genry Schull was the first funeral there on November 10, 1937. Charles and Verna Cramer were the first couple to be married on October 3, 1936.
The wages of these ministers were quite meager and irregular. Many notations indicated that it was necessary to borrow sums such as $26.50 from the bank to pay the minister. Whet they lacked in money, parishioners tried to make up in contributions of fruits, vegetables, chickens, meat at butchering time, hay for the horses and grain to feed the pastor's flock of laying hens, which he used to supplement his income. A barn housed his horses beside the chicken house which was used until in the 1940's.
In March 1937 Rev. Damm and his family came to us. Mrs. Damm played the organ, the choir flourished, and the membership more than tripled. Their daughter, Geraldine, chose our local boy, Edmund Behnke, to be her husband and they were married here September 1939. She is still a member of our congregation. Under his leadership the present parsonage was built by Harley Meyer in 1947 for $8,600. The old parsonage was sold for $51.50.
In 1938 we had a gala celebration for the 50th anniversary of our church. We also helped the Damm's celebrate their 40th anniversary in 1954. Rev. Damm continued to serve for close to 20 years when ill health forced him to retire. They built a small bungalow near their daughter and son-in-law, where they spent their remaining years.
In 1945 it was decided to raise the coal collection from $1.00 to $1.50 per family. I'm sure some of you remember being on the committee to collect these special dues. In 1947 an oil burner was installed. The dues then went up to $3.00. This continued until 1955 when this special collection was dropped. Another special collection I remember was for a Christmas tree and treats. We always had a house-to-house drive to collect money pledges for the coming year. A couple years we had "Soybean Days" in the fall when each family contributed a bushel or more of soybeans or the equivalent.
In 1949 single girls were allowed to vote. In 1957 the envelope offerings started and in 1959 it was voted to allow the new revised version of the Bible to be used. 1975 brought the use of individual communion cups but still offering the common cup on special church days to those who desired it.
In 1956 Rev. Bunge served the congregation and while their son, David, was ordained into the ministry on May 29, 1960. Mrs. Bunge was a very dedicated co-worker with her husband and occasionally played the organ. Contemplation was begun on the consolidation of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Good Thunder with our congregation.
The merger completed on August 17, 1960 while Pastor Schmidt was serving here. The name "Redeemer Lutheran Church" was chosen by vote of both congregations. In July, 1961, the organ was moved here from Good Thunder. This is also the year we started using communion cards and became affiliated with the American Lutheran Church Synod. Another big decision was made to build an Education Unit, Council Room, and Pastor's Study to the church and to enlarge the basement. It was completed and dedicated in May, 1962.
From 1965 to 1976 we shared a pastor with Calvary Lutheran of Rapidan. Pastor Eiler Anderson was the first to serve in that capacity. In 1970 we chose to build a new two-stall garage and in 1974 the parking lot was enlarged 75 feet.
Pastor Thompson and his family arrived in 1969 and served faithfully until 1978. The flock flourished as well as their garden and beautiful flowers. It is always good to have him and his wife Adele come back to substitute or visit. In 1973 we remodeled and redecorated the interior of the church. DeLores Greeley repainted the inspirational mural above the altar and the wooden cross was restored to its original place.
Pastor McGowen served as interim until 1979 when Pastor Erickson answered our call. He and his wife, Karen, were very active in a singing group which they generously shared with us. We shared the joy in the birth of their daughter, Alyssa, while they were here.
Rev. Martin Schultz graciously served until Pastor Tom Oberg and his family arrived in 1983. Rev. Maurice Dronen administered to our needs and shared his lifetime of experiences with us until our Pastor Don Larson, arrived with his wife Ginny and son Thor. We were very happy to have him with us and prayed, with the help of God, he'd guide our congregation, to help us grow and ever do the will of Jesus Christ.
Placing himself with us, Rev. John Hagen came and took place as interim Pastor before our current Pastor Rev. David Danner accepted our calling and has come with his family, wife Penny and son Michael as of this year 2004.
We wish to express our appreciation to all who worked faithfully in former years to lay the foundation of a good Christian church for those of us who were to come later. We are proud of the past, of those pioneers with unfailing faith and we look forward to future years wherein from generation to generation the spirit that prevailed through the years will live on undiminished. To all people who contributed their time, ideas, financial support and effort we are truly grateful.
We thank all those who contributed so generously of their time to make the 100th celebration truly a day to remember. Also those who came "home" to share that day with us.
If we only reflect in the past we gain little. We must deal with and face the future in hope because we trust in the promises of God. We have a changeless Christ in a changing world and now we go forth to face that continuing challenge that lies before us.