St. Luke Lutheran Church
107 S Centennial Street
Wishek, McIntosh County, North Dakota 58495
107 S Centennial Street
Wishek, McIntosh County, North Dakota 58495
St. Luke Lutheran Church
Wishek, North Dakota
1905-1955
Organized January 1, 1905. Building Fund for the new church started in 1944. Committee chosen in 1948. Plans adopted by the congregation May 25, 1952. Decided to begin construction January 10, 1954.
Groundbreaking Service May 2. Cornerstone laid September 12. Fiftieth Anniversary and new church dedicated to the glory of God July 10, 1955. Houkum and Skaret of Fargo architects. Builder: Henry Huether, Ashley, North Dakota.
Pastors who served: E. Moeckel 1905-1909; John Mayer 1909-1911; John Willms 1911-1918; A. Freymann 1919-1936; Geo C. Lundgrebe 1936-1938; L. R. Schulz 1938-1943; T. Doyen 1944-1950; J. F. Mertz 1951-.
Info from - back of St. Luke Lutheran Church plate.
Wishek, North Dakota
1905-1955
Organized January 1, 1905. Building Fund for the new church started in 1944. Committee chosen in 1948. Plans adopted by the congregation May 25, 1952. Decided to begin construction January 10, 1954.
Groundbreaking Service May 2. Cornerstone laid September 12. Fiftieth Anniversary and new church dedicated to the glory of God July 10, 1955. Houkum and Skaret of Fargo architects. Builder: Henry Huether, Ashley, North Dakota.
Pastors who served: E. Moeckel 1905-1909; John Mayer 1909-1911; John Willms 1911-1918; A. Freymann 1919-1936; Geo C. Lundgrebe 1936-1938; L. R. Schulz 1938-1943; T. Doyen 1944-1950; J. F. Mertz 1951-.
Info from - back of St. Luke Lutheran Church plate.
102. Wishek – Saint Luke's Lutheran Church (ELCA)
· Location: 107 Centennial St S
· Photo Available: Mc-Wishek Saint Luke's Lutheran-1 Church [3833]
· Photo Available: Mc-Wishek Saint Luke's Lutheran-2 Church [3729]
· Community History: Wishek, ND – Golden Jubilee 1898-1948 – Spirit of Wishek, p.16-18.
With the coming of the railroad to Wishek, many new families arrived to seek a new home. Among them were several families of the Lutheran faith. Because the number was small at first, these pioneers had to be content to practice their faith by themselves. This they did by diligent use of the Bible, their old German Hymnals, and occasionally a book of printed sermons which they had brought from their old homes in South Russia. Later several families began gathering in private homes on Sundays for a "Lese Gottesdienst," in other words a service, conducted by one of the men, in which hymns were sung, prayers spoken, and a sermon read from a prized sermon book. It wasn't long until itinerant Lutheran pastors, sent out by the Iowa Synod to look up to such small, isolated groups, found these people and began to give them an occasional service. In 1904 we find that Pastor A. Wenninger came from Ashley to conduct several services in private homes near Wishek. The early history of the congregation takes place northeast of Wishek. Services were held, alternately, in the school near the John S. Wolff farm and the school near the Jacob M. Frey farm. On January 1, 1905, St. Luke's congregation was organized. Pastor E. Moeckel, who had been serving the Zeeland parish, approximately 20 miles southwest of Wishek, was called as the first pastor. It is interesting to note that his salary was set at $125 per year. Because the parish was small, and because he had a family to support, we found that he took up a homestead north of Wishek and also taught one of the country schools. The first members were: Peter Pfeifle, John S. Wolff, George Wolff, Andreas Pfeifle and Philip P. Mueller. More families moved into the region, and hence the congregation assembled on September 1, 1907, to discuss the building of a church. The committee, which was to investigate the possibilities consisted of John S. Wolff, chairman, George Ziegenhagel, Jakob Helm and Jakob Perman. They were instructed to find a central location for the church building, as well as determine the costs and plans for such an undertaking. On May 15, 1908, the group reached the conclusion that services should be held in Frey's school house, and somewhere in the town of Wishek. Two months later eight families who lived in the vicinity of Frey's school house decided that it would be too far to come to Wishek for services, so the group divided into two congregations. The one group formed the Jakobus Church, and the other group concentrated their efforts on Wishek. From then on St. Lukes' carried on its work in Wishek. On January 3, 1909, Pastor Moeckel presented his resignation to the congregation, which was accepted. For several months the congregation had the services of Pastor w. Schroeder. He was succeeded by Pastor John Mayer. Under his guidance, the congregation continued its building plans, for they voted to build a church at a cost that was not to exceed $2,000.00. At this meeting, we find that 7 individuals pledged a sum of $475.00 toward the building of the church. In September, the congregation was incorporated under the laws of the State of North Dakota. Pastor Mayer remained until 1911. Pastor John Willms was then called from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, to be the next pastor. During his time the first parsonage was acquired. By 1913 thirty-five families belonged to the congregation. The following summer, the group grew to such an extent, that a new addition was added to the original church building. The original building was moved 6 feet south and 10 feet east before the addition was begun. The new addition measured 32 feet by 26 feet and cost the group $3,081.00. The first electric lights were installed in 1917. During this same year, we find the group who had established a congregation near the Frey school disbanded and returned to the Wishek group. Pastor Willms, too, was the first pastor of the group to conduct an English service in St. Luke's church. This occurred on March 10, 1918. When Pastor Willms accepted a call to Monticello, Iowa, in the fall of 1918 the congregation had grown to 60 families. The longest period of ministry by any one Pastor begins in January of 1919 when Pastor A.F. Freymann was installed as pastor. Under his guidance, many of the old difficulties were ironed out. In 1926, it was found necessary to add still another addition to the church, this time a wing on the south side. This was done after original plans to erect a Sunday School building had been revoked by the congregation. In this same year, too, the parish made plans to build a new parsonage. This was done during the absence of Rev. Freymann, who was spending some time visiting his relatives in Germany. This house still serves as the parsonage today. On the building committee for the parsonage we find such names as: Peter Pfeifle, John S. Wolff, Gottlieb Nickisch, Jacob Frank, Adam Kuebler, Daniel Schnabel and Jacob Eichhorn. 1921 seems to have been a very active year for the group. On October 27 of this year the first organization had its beginning. It was the Ladies Aid. After 17 years of service, Pastor Freymann left the congregation to return to the Zeeland Parish, which he had served before coming to Wishek. This occurred on January 1, 1936. The congregation now had a membership of 100 families. Pastor Freymann was succeeded by Pastor G.C. Landgrebe in the spring of 1936. During his stay, regular English services were begun, and the Sunday School, too, introduced the English language into its program. An organization for young people, bearing the name "Luther League", was organized. When Pastor Landgrebe left the congregation in 1938 to become the full-time President of the Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church, the group had grown to 131 families. Several months later, Pastor L.R. Schulz arrived from Belle Fourche, S. Dak., to become the new shepherd of St. Luke's Congregation. Under his guidance, we find the group growing to the number of 165 families. When he accepted the call to Regent, N. Dak., the congregation experienced the shortage of pastors then existent. One year passed before another Pastor was secured. During this year of vacancy, credit must be given to the congregation and its church council for the manner in which they continue to work together. On June 11, 1944, Pastor T.F. Doyen of Wartburg Seminary was installed as the new Pastor. Since his coming regular Sunday Services have been conducted in both languages. The English Service is conducted at 9:00 a.m. and the German Service begins at 11:00 a.m. In 1947 two new organizations were begun, namely the Women's Missionary Society and the Brotherhood. At this writing the congregation has a membership of 835 baptized members, of which 600 are communicant members. There are 238 family units in the group. Present members of the Church Council are: D.D. Aipperspach, Henry A. Mueller, Philip Bender, Jacob Just, Fred Frank, M.G. Frank, Ferdinand Ketterling, Edwin Wolff, and Fred Thurn. A new building program for the church has begun. A planning committee, consisting of George Wolff, Fred Thurn, August Eckman, C.P. Ritter, Philip Bender, and the pastor, has been working on a building plan to present to the congregation. As soon as conditions warrant, work will be begun on this project. St. Luke's congregation has enjoyed a steady growth until now. May the good Lord, who has guided her in the past, continue to bless her that she may bring forth much fruit. · Community History: Wishek, ND – Diamond Jubilee 1898-1973, p.195-197. Neither time nor circumstances allowed for detailed chronologies as our pioneer fathers stood at the anvils and forges of history. The true story of St. Luke Lutheran must be related in terms of people. It includes the early settlers who arrived in the Wishek area and found good soil and unlimited opportunities. Occasional worship services were conducted by Pastor A. Wenninger of Ashley and traveling Lutheran missionaries. For the greater part, their spiritual needs were met at the lay services held in the homes. With the arrival of more immigrants, regular services were held in school buildings near the John S. Wolf and Jacob Frey farms. Their personal convictions and their concern for the spiritual well-being of their children and the community came to focus on January 1, 1905. It can be regarded as the birth date of St. Luke Lutheran congregation. Messrs. Peter Pfeifle, John S. Wolf, George Wolf, Andreas Pfeifle and Philip P. Mueller are 71 Compiled by: Allen E. Konrad Churches – McIntosh County, ND recorded as founding fathers. The Rev. E. Moeckel, convener of the organizational meeting, was called as the first resident pastor. The stipulated salary was $135 per annum. He supplemented his income by taking up a homestead three miles north of Wishek. By 1907 the possibility of building a church was considered. At the meeting, the congregation divided into two groups. A group of eight families residing northeast of Wishek organized as the St. James congregation. The larger group retained the original name, St. Luke, and relocated at Wishek. Worship services were conducted in the Wishek School for the next two years. Pastor W. Schroeder served as interim pastor following the resignation of the Rev. Moeckel in January 1909. Under the guidance of Pastor John Mayer, the first church was built. Seven members pledged the sum of $475 toward the church building which measured 24 feet by 36 feet in size. Pastor Mayer served the congregation until 1911. A graduate of Wartburg Seminary, the Rev. John Willms arrived on July 11, 1911. Soon after his arrival, the first parsonage was purchased. By 1913 the congregation had grown to 35 families. The church was enlarged in 1914 at a cost of $3,081. Electric lights were installed in the church in 1917. Pastor Willms conducted the first English Service on March 10, 1918. During his pastorate the congregation became self-supporting. The congregation had grown to 60 families when Pastor Willms accepted another call in the fall of 1918. The Rev. A. Freymann has the distinction of serving the longest pastorate in the history of the congregation. He began his duties as pastor in January 1919. By 1926, the church building had to be enlarged and a south wing was added. In the same year the parish built a new parsonage. When he tendered his resignation in January 1936, the congregation numbered a hundred families. Pastor George C. Landgrebe became the next shepherd of the flock. In addition to his parish duties, Dr. Landgrebe also served as President of the Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church. English services were reintroduced and the English language was used in the Parish Education program. The pastor was instrumental in organizing the Luther League, a youth organization that is still functional. The congregation numbered 131 families in 1938 when Dr. Landgrebe resigned to become the first full time President of the Dakota District, ALC. Later, in the year, Pastor L.R. Schulz assumed leadership of the congregation. During his five-year pastorate the congregation was able to increase its membership to 165 families. Following his resignation in 1943 the congregation remained vacant for almost a year. The Rev. T.F. Doyen, a graduate of Wartburg Seminary, was installed as pastor on June 11, 1944. The "language issue" was resolved by this time and regular worship services were held in both languages. The Women's Missionary Society and the Brotherhood were organized in 1947. The apparent need for bigger and better facilities resulted in the appointment of a Planning and Building Committee. Messrs. George Wolf, Fred Thurn, August Eckman, C.P. Ritter and Philip Bender were elected as members of the committee. A Church Building Fund was established. Pastor Doyen was given his release to accept another call on October 24, 1950. The membership roster listed 286 families. The figure includes the membership of the Salem congregation which merged with St. Luke in 1950. The Rev. John F. Mertz was called and installed as the next pastor. He assumed his duties on January 24, 1951. During the course of his ministry the congregation was able to construct a new church edifice with ample room for worship services and fine educational facilities. Completed at a cost of $165,000, the building was dedicated on July 10, 1955. Pastor Mertz served the congregation until the summer of 1958. He was succeeded by the Rev. L.G. Sailer who arrived in September of 1958. A mortgage burning ceremony was held in 1960. It was a time of amalgamation and further growth. Aside from Salem congregation, mentioned heretofore, the Jehovah, St. James, Peace, St. Paul and St. John congregations merged with St. Luke. The congregation now consists of over 380 families with a baptized membership of over 1,200 souls. A new parsonage was dedicated late in the fall of 1964. Pastor Sailer concluded his ministry shortly after Christmas of the same year. Eight native sons and a son of a former pastor have been ordained and are presently on the clergy roster of The American Lutheran Church. Candidate of Theology, D. Aipperspach, is presently serving his internship in preparation for the ministry. The clergymen are as follows: Dr. G. Unruh, F. Mueller, E. Ketterling, G. Mertz, C. Ottmar, M. Ketterling, A. Schmitt, E. Boschee, R. Rudolf and Candidate D. Aipperspach. The Rev. G.G. Neuberger has served as pastor of the congregation since April 1, 1965. He was assisted by the Rev. W. Borchardt, who served as visitation pastor from May, 1967, until July 1970. During the past two years, Intern D. Wissmann and Intern M. Zamzow, students at Wartburg Theological Seminary, have been part of the ministerial staff of the congregation. At the note-burning ceremony on April 15, 1972, the congregation was able to liquidate the parsonage debt. The congregation finds itself in a sound financial condition. A budget in the amount of $55, 625 was adopted at the last annual meeting. Due to economic and sociological factors the membership of the congregation has remained virtually static for the last decade. The membership roster currently lists 1,101 baptized, 822 confirmed and 365 families as members of the congregation. The congregation's pastor commented: "The life and history of St. Luke 72 Compiled by: Allen E. Konrad Churches – McIntosh County, ND Lutheran can be summed up in two words, GRACE and GROWTH. God's grace has been mighty upon us as a community and as a church. Gratefully we rededicate ourselves to the major purpose and function of St. Luke Lutheran: To broadcast God's Good News and Living Grace in Jesus Christ; to nourish, train and equip His Saints with Word and Sacrament that they might be alive to God's Glory." · Community History: Wishek, ND – Centennial 1898-1998, p.115-117. (The report is basically the same as the Diamond Jubilee report up to this point) The Rev. John F. Mertz was called and installed as the next pastor. He assumed his duties on January 24, 1951. During the course of his ministry, the congregation built a new church. Plans were made and adopted by the congregation May 25, 1952. The groundbreaking service was held May 2, with the corner stone being laid September 12. The fiftieth anniversary and the dedication of the new church was held on July 10, 1955. Hokum and Skaret of Fargo were the architects, with the builder being Henry Huether of Ashley, ND. Completed cost of the building was $165,000. Pastor Mertz served the congregation until the summer of 1958. (Duplication continues up to this point) St. Luke called pastor Herman Heupel to serve as assistant pastor. He was installed in April of 1975 and served until November 20, 1977. Rev. Neuberger continued serving St. Luke until April 1979. The Rev. Richard Kraiger started his pastorate July 1, 1979. The year 1980 was the 75th anniversary year of St. Luke. Pastor Kraiger and the Jubilee committee spent much time and effort in making the anniversary an inspiring year for all. Pastor Kraiger concluded his ministry in 1983. The roster listed 740 confirmed, 868 baptized and 397 families. Pastor Gunter Kern came to St. Luke in 1983. The ramp on the north side of the church was completed making entry into the church more simple for those with physical disabilities. Intern David Wildermuth served the congregation in 1985. Rev. Kern resigned in 1986. The roster listed 705 confirmed, 883 baptized, and 385 families. Pastor Fred Scherle came to St. Luke in 1986. We understood at the outset that his stay would be a short one. Pastor Fred and his wife had spent thirty years or more in the New Guinea mission field. St. Luke members learned much about their experiences. Through their experiences we were able to appreciate and evaluate ourselves, and plan well for St. Luke's future. We gained much from them in their short stay and were happy for them as they moved on to their retirement in a nice little home in Iowa. The roster listed 700 confirmed, 842 baptized and 388 families. Pastor Richard Speidel came to St. Luke in 1988 and is still serving the congregation. During his pastorate the congregation has grown and changed. There have been additions—some budgeted and donated. The church has a carillon which plays before Sunday services and week days at 7:00 P.M. The window replacement project was quite an accomplishment and appreciated by all. St. Luke also has a stained-glass scene located above the altar. The church has an elevator system in the budget, but completion time is indefinite. The roster in 1997 lists 625 confirmed, 833 baptized and 405 families. Eight native sons and a daughter are ordained and presently listed on the roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The clergy are as follows: Dr. George Unruh, Fred Mueller, Eugene Ketterling, Christ Ottmar, Marvin Ketterling, Arthur Schmitt, Eugene Boschee, Russel Rudolf and Pamela Burlack Morolla. Two former pastor's sons are also on the roster: Gerald Mertz and Gerhardt Landgrebe. The writer quotes Pastor Speidel in our church directory: "We at St. Luke are the Communion of Saints whom God has called to harvest in His fields. God has given each of us talents and abilities. Please use the gifts God has given you and realize your need to proclaim the Gospel in Wishek and in the world."
Info from - Churches – McIntosh County, North Dakota
Compiled by Allen E. Konrad – October 2007
Revised January 2015
P.O. Box 157 – Rowley, IA 52329
(pages 70-73)
· Location: 107 Centennial St S
· Photo Available: Mc-Wishek Saint Luke's Lutheran-1 Church [3833]
· Photo Available: Mc-Wishek Saint Luke's Lutheran-2 Church [3729]
· Community History: Wishek, ND – Golden Jubilee 1898-1948 – Spirit of Wishek, p.16-18.
With the coming of the railroad to Wishek, many new families arrived to seek a new home. Among them were several families of the Lutheran faith. Because the number was small at first, these pioneers had to be content to practice their faith by themselves. This they did by diligent use of the Bible, their old German Hymnals, and occasionally a book of printed sermons which they had brought from their old homes in South Russia. Later several families began gathering in private homes on Sundays for a "Lese Gottesdienst," in other words a service, conducted by one of the men, in which hymns were sung, prayers spoken, and a sermon read from a prized sermon book. It wasn't long until itinerant Lutheran pastors, sent out by the Iowa Synod to look up to such small, isolated groups, found these people and began to give them an occasional service. In 1904 we find that Pastor A. Wenninger came from Ashley to conduct several services in private homes near Wishek. The early history of the congregation takes place northeast of Wishek. Services were held, alternately, in the school near the John S. Wolff farm and the school near the Jacob M. Frey farm. On January 1, 1905, St. Luke's congregation was organized. Pastor E. Moeckel, who had been serving the Zeeland parish, approximately 20 miles southwest of Wishek, was called as the first pastor. It is interesting to note that his salary was set at $125 per year. Because the parish was small, and because he had a family to support, we found that he took up a homestead north of Wishek and also taught one of the country schools. The first members were: Peter Pfeifle, John S. Wolff, George Wolff, Andreas Pfeifle and Philip P. Mueller. More families moved into the region, and hence the congregation assembled on September 1, 1907, to discuss the building of a church. The committee, which was to investigate the possibilities consisted of John S. Wolff, chairman, George Ziegenhagel, Jakob Helm and Jakob Perman. They were instructed to find a central location for the church building, as well as determine the costs and plans for such an undertaking. On May 15, 1908, the group reached the conclusion that services should be held in Frey's school house, and somewhere in the town of Wishek. Two months later eight families who lived in the vicinity of Frey's school house decided that it would be too far to come to Wishek for services, so the group divided into two congregations. The one group formed the Jakobus Church, and the other group concentrated their efforts on Wishek. From then on St. Lukes' carried on its work in Wishek. On January 3, 1909, Pastor Moeckel presented his resignation to the congregation, which was accepted. For several months the congregation had the services of Pastor w. Schroeder. He was succeeded by Pastor John Mayer. Under his guidance, the congregation continued its building plans, for they voted to build a church at a cost that was not to exceed $2,000.00. At this meeting, we find that 7 individuals pledged a sum of $475.00 toward the building of the church. In September, the congregation was incorporated under the laws of the State of North Dakota. Pastor Mayer remained until 1911. Pastor John Willms was then called from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, to be the next pastor. During his time the first parsonage was acquired. By 1913 thirty-five families belonged to the congregation. The following summer, the group grew to such an extent, that a new addition was added to the original church building. The original building was moved 6 feet south and 10 feet east before the addition was begun. The new addition measured 32 feet by 26 feet and cost the group $3,081.00. The first electric lights were installed in 1917. During this same year, we find the group who had established a congregation near the Frey school disbanded and returned to the Wishek group. Pastor Willms, too, was the first pastor of the group to conduct an English service in St. Luke's church. This occurred on March 10, 1918. When Pastor Willms accepted a call to Monticello, Iowa, in the fall of 1918 the congregation had grown to 60 families. The longest period of ministry by any one Pastor begins in January of 1919 when Pastor A.F. Freymann was installed as pastor. Under his guidance, many of the old difficulties were ironed out. In 1926, it was found necessary to add still another addition to the church, this time a wing on the south side. This was done after original plans to erect a Sunday School building had been revoked by the congregation. In this same year, too, the parish made plans to build a new parsonage. This was done during the absence of Rev. Freymann, who was spending some time visiting his relatives in Germany. This house still serves as the parsonage today. On the building committee for the parsonage we find such names as: Peter Pfeifle, John S. Wolff, Gottlieb Nickisch, Jacob Frank, Adam Kuebler, Daniel Schnabel and Jacob Eichhorn. 1921 seems to have been a very active year for the group. On October 27 of this year the first organization had its beginning. It was the Ladies Aid. After 17 years of service, Pastor Freymann left the congregation to return to the Zeeland Parish, which he had served before coming to Wishek. This occurred on January 1, 1936. The congregation now had a membership of 100 families. Pastor Freymann was succeeded by Pastor G.C. Landgrebe in the spring of 1936. During his stay, regular English services were begun, and the Sunday School, too, introduced the English language into its program. An organization for young people, bearing the name "Luther League", was organized. When Pastor Landgrebe left the congregation in 1938 to become the full-time President of the Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church, the group had grown to 131 families. Several months later, Pastor L.R. Schulz arrived from Belle Fourche, S. Dak., to become the new shepherd of St. Luke's Congregation. Under his guidance, we find the group growing to the number of 165 families. When he accepted the call to Regent, N. Dak., the congregation experienced the shortage of pastors then existent. One year passed before another Pastor was secured. During this year of vacancy, credit must be given to the congregation and its church council for the manner in which they continue to work together. On June 11, 1944, Pastor T.F. Doyen of Wartburg Seminary was installed as the new Pastor. Since his coming regular Sunday Services have been conducted in both languages. The English Service is conducted at 9:00 a.m. and the German Service begins at 11:00 a.m. In 1947 two new organizations were begun, namely the Women's Missionary Society and the Brotherhood. At this writing the congregation has a membership of 835 baptized members, of which 600 are communicant members. There are 238 family units in the group. Present members of the Church Council are: D.D. Aipperspach, Henry A. Mueller, Philip Bender, Jacob Just, Fred Frank, M.G. Frank, Ferdinand Ketterling, Edwin Wolff, and Fred Thurn. A new building program for the church has begun. A planning committee, consisting of George Wolff, Fred Thurn, August Eckman, C.P. Ritter, Philip Bender, and the pastor, has been working on a building plan to present to the congregation. As soon as conditions warrant, work will be begun on this project. St. Luke's congregation has enjoyed a steady growth until now. May the good Lord, who has guided her in the past, continue to bless her that she may bring forth much fruit. · Community History: Wishek, ND – Diamond Jubilee 1898-1973, p.195-197. Neither time nor circumstances allowed for detailed chronologies as our pioneer fathers stood at the anvils and forges of history. The true story of St. Luke Lutheran must be related in terms of people. It includes the early settlers who arrived in the Wishek area and found good soil and unlimited opportunities. Occasional worship services were conducted by Pastor A. Wenninger of Ashley and traveling Lutheran missionaries. For the greater part, their spiritual needs were met at the lay services held in the homes. With the arrival of more immigrants, regular services were held in school buildings near the John S. Wolf and Jacob Frey farms. Their personal convictions and their concern for the spiritual well-being of their children and the community came to focus on January 1, 1905. It can be regarded as the birth date of St. Luke Lutheran congregation. Messrs. Peter Pfeifle, John S. Wolf, George Wolf, Andreas Pfeifle and Philip P. Mueller are 71 Compiled by: Allen E. Konrad Churches – McIntosh County, ND recorded as founding fathers. The Rev. E. Moeckel, convener of the organizational meeting, was called as the first resident pastor. The stipulated salary was $135 per annum. He supplemented his income by taking up a homestead three miles north of Wishek. By 1907 the possibility of building a church was considered. At the meeting, the congregation divided into two groups. A group of eight families residing northeast of Wishek organized as the St. James congregation. The larger group retained the original name, St. Luke, and relocated at Wishek. Worship services were conducted in the Wishek School for the next two years. Pastor W. Schroeder served as interim pastor following the resignation of the Rev. Moeckel in January 1909. Under the guidance of Pastor John Mayer, the first church was built. Seven members pledged the sum of $475 toward the church building which measured 24 feet by 36 feet in size. Pastor Mayer served the congregation until 1911. A graduate of Wartburg Seminary, the Rev. John Willms arrived on July 11, 1911. Soon after his arrival, the first parsonage was purchased. By 1913 the congregation had grown to 35 families. The church was enlarged in 1914 at a cost of $3,081. Electric lights were installed in the church in 1917. Pastor Willms conducted the first English Service on March 10, 1918. During his pastorate the congregation became self-supporting. The congregation had grown to 60 families when Pastor Willms accepted another call in the fall of 1918. The Rev. A. Freymann has the distinction of serving the longest pastorate in the history of the congregation. He began his duties as pastor in January 1919. By 1926, the church building had to be enlarged and a south wing was added. In the same year the parish built a new parsonage. When he tendered his resignation in January 1936, the congregation numbered a hundred families. Pastor George C. Landgrebe became the next shepherd of the flock. In addition to his parish duties, Dr. Landgrebe also served as President of the Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church. English services were reintroduced and the English language was used in the Parish Education program. The pastor was instrumental in organizing the Luther League, a youth organization that is still functional. The congregation numbered 131 families in 1938 when Dr. Landgrebe resigned to become the first full time President of the Dakota District, ALC. Later, in the year, Pastor L.R. Schulz assumed leadership of the congregation. During his five-year pastorate the congregation was able to increase its membership to 165 families. Following his resignation in 1943 the congregation remained vacant for almost a year. The Rev. T.F. Doyen, a graduate of Wartburg Seminary, was installed as pastor on June 11, 1944. The "language issue" was resolved by this time and regular worship services were held in both languages. The Women's Missionary Society and the Brotherhood were organized in 1947. The apparent need for bigger and better facilities resulted in the appointment of a Planning and Building Committee. Messrs. George Wolf, Fred Thurn, August Eckman, C.P. Ritter and Philip Bender were elected as members of the committee. A Church Building Fund was established. Pastor Doyen was given his release to accept another call on October 24, 1950. The membership roster listed 286 families. The figure includes the membership of the Salem congregation which merged with St. Luke in 1950. The Rev. John F. Mertz was called and installed as the next pastor. He assumed his duties on January 24, 1951. During the course of his ministry the congregation was able to construct a new church edifice with ample room for worship services and fine educational facilities. Completed at a cost of $165,000, the building was dedicated on July 10, 1955. Pastor Mertz served the congregation until the summer of 1958. He was succeeded by the Rev. L.G. Sailer who arrived in September of 1958. A mortgage burning ceremony was held in 1960. It was a time of amalgamation and further growth. Aside from Salem congregation, mentioned heretofore, the Jehovah, St. James, Peace, St. Paul and St. John congregations merged with St. Luke. The congregation now consists of over 380 families with a baptized membership of over 1,200 souls. A new parsonage was dedicated late in the fall of 1964. Pastor Sailer concluded his ministry shortly after Christmas of the same year. Eight native sons and a son of a former pastor have been ordained and are presently on the clergy roster of The American Lutheran Church. Candidate of Theology, D. Aipperspach, is presently serving his internship in preparation for the ministry. The clergymen are as follows: Dr. G. Unruh, F. Mueller, E. Ketterling, G. Mertz, C. Ottmar, M. Ketterling, A. Schmitt, E. Boschee, R. Rudolf and Candidate D. Aipperspach. The Rev. G.G. Neuberger has served as pastor of the congregation since April 1, 1965. He was assisted by the Rev. W. Borchardt, who served as visitation pastor from May, 1967, until July 1970. During the past two years, Intern D. Wissmann and Intern M. Zamzow, students at Wartburg Theological Seminary, have been part of the ministerial staff of the congregation. At the note-burning ceremony on April 15, 1972, the congregation was able to liquidate the parsonage debt. The congregation finds itself in a sound financial condition. A budget in the amount of $55, 625 was adopted at the last annual meeting. Due to economic and sociological factors the membership of the congregation has remained virtually static for the last decade. The membership roster currently lists 1,101 baptized, 822 confirmed and 365 families as members of the congregation. The congregation's pastor commented: "The life and history of St. Luke 72 Compiled by: Allen E. Konrad Churches – McIntosh County, ND Lutheran can be summed up in two words, GRACE and GROWTH. God's grace has been mighty upon us as a community and as a church. Gratefully we rededicate ourselves to the major purpose and function of St. Luke Lutheran: To broadcast God's Good News and Living Grace in Jesus Christ; to nourish, train and equip His Saints with Word and Sacrament that they might be alive to God's Glory." · Community History: Wishek, ND – Centennial 1898-1998, p.115-117. (The report is basically the same as the Diamond Jubilee report up to this point) The Rev. John F. Mertz was called and installed as the next pastor. He assumed his duties on January 24, 1951. During the course of his ministry, the congregation built a new church. Plans were made and adopted by the congregation May 25, 1952. The groundbreaking service was held May 2, with the corner stone being laid September 12. The fiftieth anniversary and the dedication of the new church was held on July 10, 1955. Hokum and Skaret of Fargo were the architects, with the builder being Henry Huether of Ashley, ND. Completed cost of the building was $165,000. Pastor Mertz served the congregation until the summer of 1958. (Duplication continues up to this point) St. Luke called pastor Herman Heupel to serve as assistant pastor. He was installed in April of 1975 and served until November 20, 1977. Rev. Neuberger continued serving St. Luke until April 1979. The Rev. Richard Kraiger started his pastorate July 1, 1979. The year 1980 was the 75th anniversary year of St. Luke. Pastor Kraiger and the Jubilee committee spent much time and effort in making the anniversary an inspiring year for all. Pastor Kraiger concluded his ministry in 1983. The roster listed 740 confirmed, 868 baptized and 397 families. Pastor Gunter Kern came to St. Luke in 1983. The ramp on the north side of the church was completed making entry into the church more simple for those with physical disabilities. Intern David Wildermuth served the congregation in 1985. Rev. Kern resigned in 1986. The roster listed 705 confirmed, 883 baptized, and 385 families. Pastor Fred Scherle came to St. Luke in 1986. We understood at the outset that his stay would be a short one. Pastor Fred and his wife had spent thirty years or more in the New Guinea mission field. St. Luke members learned much about their experiences. Through their experiences we were able to appreciate and evaluate ourselves, and plan well for St. Luke's future. We gained much from them in their short stay and were happy for them as they moved on to their retirement in a nice little home in Iowa. The roster listed 700 confirmed, 842 baptized and 388 families. Pastor Richard Speidel came to St. Luke in 1988 and is still serving the congregation. During his pastorate the congregation has grown and changed. There have been additions—some budgeted and donated. The church has a carillon which plays before Sunday services and week days at 7:00 P.M. The window replacement project was quite an accomplishment and appreciated by all. St. Luke also has a stained-glass scene located above the altar. The church has an elevator system in the budget, but completion time is indefinite. The roster in 1997 lists 625 confirmed, 833 baptized and 405 families. Eight native sons and a daughter are ordained and presently listed on the roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The clergy are as follows: Dr. George Unruh, Fred Mueller, Eugene Ketterling, Christ Ottmar, Marvin Ketterling, Arthur Schmitt, Eugene Boschee, Russel Rudolf and Pamela Burlack Morolla. Two former pastor's sons are also on the roster: Gerald Mertz and Gerhardt Landgrebe. The writer quotes Pastor Speidel in our church directory: "We at St. Luke are the Communion of Saints whom God has called to harvest in His fields. God has given each of us talents and abilities. Please use the gifts God has given you and realize your need to proclaim the Gospel in Wishek and in the world."
Info from - Churches – McIntosh County, North Dakota
Compiled by Allen E. Konrad – October 2007
Revised January 2015
P.O. Box 157 – Rowley, IA 52329
(pages 70-73)