Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church
403 East Street
Lehr, McIntosh County, North Dakota 58460
403 East Street
Lehr, McIntosh County, North Dakota 58460
The Hepper Olson Church Plate Collection
Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church
Lehr, North Dakota
History of Old Church
Erected by the pioneer families if this community in the spring of 1904 at a cost of $3,400. It is a frame structure 26' x 16' addition. The church was dedicated in the fall of 1904.
History of New Church
Groundbreaking services were held September 21, 1958; construction began the same week. Seating capacity of 210 people. Equipped with classrooms, choir room, crying room, fellowship room, a large dining room and kitchen. Inside material are all finished in natural mahogany.
Info from - back of Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church plate.
Lehr, North Dakota
History of Old Church
Erected by the pioneer families if this community in the spring of 1904 at a cost of $3,400. It is a frame structure 26' x 16' addition. The church was dedicated in the fall of 1904.
History of New Church
Groundbreaking services were held September 21, 1958; construction began the same week. Seating capacity of 210 people. Equipped with classrooms, choir room, crying room, fellowship room, a large dining room and kitchen. Inside material are all finished in natural mahogany.
Info from - back of Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church plate.
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (Formerly Evangelical United Brethren Church)
Evangelical pioneer preachers entered the settlements, visiting the settlers in their primitive sod huts, cheering their lonely lives and bringing them the message of salvation. Among the first of these ministers to preach in McIntosh County and near the present site of Lehr was Rev. Henry Loewen, a man of stately, dignified bearing, impressive personality and godly, life. Rev. Geo. W. Heilscher was the presiding elder and cooperated with the pastor and people in the building of the first Evangelical Church in McIntosh County, a sod structure with wooden roof, 20 ft. by 34 ft. by 10 ft. which was built at a cost of $190.00 and dedicated free of debt on Sunday, November 13, 1887.
After the town of Lehr was begun in 1898, people from different localities soon settled here and the need for a place of worship was soon felt. Those who came from the Loewenthal Valley continued to go to the Zion Church for the most part. The first services in Lehr were held in a public schoolhouse located on the south side of the present Baptist Church. This was in about 1900 under the ministry of Rev. Robert E. Strutz. The village of Lehr made rapid growth and soon the schoolhouse was too small to take care of those who came to worship. The Evangelical Church continued to be the only denomination represented here.
The early church fathers took a long look into the future, and it looked bright for continued progress of the Evangelical Church. So, in the spring of 1904 a church was built. It was a frame structure 26 ft. by 36 ft. with a 26 ft. by 16 ft. addition on the south side. The church was erected at a cost of between $3,300 and $3,400 and was dedicated debt free in the fall of the year with Bishop Bauman present. The bell for the church was donated by Fred Ziegenhagel and Adam Nagel, Sr. Many other friends contributed money and helped with the construction. It is said that Frank Carlson and Grace Kenagy were the first couple to be married in the new church, the ceremony being performed by Rev. E. C. Oeder, under whose ministry the church was built.
Under the ministry of Rev. A. H. Ermel the church was remodeled in 1933. It was raised and moved ten feet east onto a full basement. An alcove was added to the church and a new heating system installed. The basement was well arranged with good pews for prayer meetings, Sunday School classes, organization meetings and social gatherings. There was also a fully equipped kitchen in the basement.
The United Brethren Church merged with the Evangelical Church in 1946, and the church was then known as the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
Under the ministry of Rev. Peter Ackerman, it was decided to construct a new church building due to the inadequacy of the old building. Some of the persons who served on the Building Committee and gave many hours of dedicated service and employed their specialized knowledge and abilities very effectively were R. F. Ruff, Herb e rt Bittner, Vernon Scherbenske, Peter G. Ackerman, Mrs. Dan Billigmeier, Christ Christman, Herbert Klein, John Kauk, Edward Lepp, Mrs. J. J. Mack, Walter Nagel, Theodore Nagel and G. G. Scherbenske.
Lots on which to construct the n e w church building were donated by the August Bittner Estate (Mrs. August Bittner and sons Herbert and Allen Bittner), these lots being located on the southeast edge of the City of Lehr. On September 21, 1958, groundbreaking ceremonies were held with Dr. J. W. Schindler presiding. Soon the new church was started and it was completed in August 1959 at a total cost of approximately $70,000. The church was dedicated unto Almighty God and to Christian Worship in services that began on Thursday evening, September 3, 1959, and concluded on Sunday, September 6, 1959, when morning, afternoon and evening services were held with the dedication ceremony taking place in the Sunday afternoon service. Among those participating in the dedication services were Bishop H. R. Heininger, Dr. J. W. Schindler, Dr. A. G. Martin, Rev. Martin Gruneich, Rev. C. F. Strutz, Rev. C. W. Ketterling, Rev. Walter D. Elmer, and Rev. Peter G. Ackerman who was pastor of the church at the time. A cornerstone ceremony was held on the same Sunday as the dedication prior to the morning service.
The Hope Church, located northwest of Lehr, was served by the same pastor as the Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church in Lehr. In the summer of 1967, the Hope Church was closed and beginning July 9, 1967 they became part of the town church.
In 1968 the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged with the Methodist Church and became the United Methodist Church. The Uniting Conference was held January 6-7, 1969, at Jamestown, North Dakota with Bishop Armstrong. The first session of the North Dakota Conference of the United Methodist Church was held in Bismarck, North Dakota, May 14-17, 1969.
April 25, 1971, was a great day in the history of the church. On that day our district superintendent, Rev. William Morrison, led in the mortgage burning service. The indebtedness on the church building had been paid. Rev. Henry Vix and Rev. Peter Ackerman, former pastors who served during the time of planning, construction and years following, shared in the services, along with the pastor, Rev. Edward B. Parker.
The following ministers have served the church: R. E. Strutz, F. H. Brockmueller, E. C. Oeder, Henry Loewen, H. Neutzman, Paul Krumbein, J. J. Schroeder, D. Bittner, Wm. Butschat, John Fischer, G. C. Thiele, A. H. Ermel, A. Gehring, E. A. Gruneich, A. H. Marzolf, J.M. Burkhard, Oliver Ketterling, M. F. Gruneich, Walter Elmer, Peter Ackerman, Henry J. Vix, Clifford Bergland, Floyd Breaw, W. E . Janetzki and at present, Edward B. Parker.
Some of the officers of the church at the present time are Herbert Bittner, lay leader; Paul Derheim, assistant lay leader; Mrs. Edward Kautz, church treasurer; Harvey Eberle, finance committee chairman and Mrs. G. G. Scherbenske, communion steward. The Board of Trustees includes Elmer Erbele, Bert Miller, Herbert Klein, Herbert Bittner, Clarence Klein, Melvin Fiechtner and Marlow Scherbenske. Mrs. Edward Kautz is the pianist and Miss Linda Derheim is the organist. Rev. Edward B. Parker is the pastor.
The first dwelling built in the town of Lehr was the Evangelical parsonage in 1899. The cost was $1,000. In 1927 a new parsonage was purchased one and one-half blocks south of the church building. This was a new home built by Wm. Koepplin, Sr., just a few years prior to 1927. It is still the church parsonage.
No church is complete without a Sunday School. Here young and old alike can get a religious education. The Sunday School has always played an important part in the church as a whole. Its beginning dates back to the beginning of the church itself. At the present time the average attendance in the Sunday School of the United Methodist Church is 60. The Sunday School Superintendent is Marlow Scherbenske with Edward Kautz and Paul Derheim as assistants. There are seven classes with the following teachers: German class, Martin H. Erbele; adult class, alternate teachers; young adults, Mrs. Edward Kautz and Dave McCormack; young people, Marlow Scherbenske and Helen McCormack; juniors, Elmer Erbele, Mrs. Bert Miller and Mrs. Luther Buchholz; intermediates, Mrs. Elmer Hochhalter, Mrs. Marvin Lepp, Mrs. Elmer Erbele and Mrs. Alvin Erbele; beginners, Mrs. Russell Fiechtner, Mrs. Marlow Scherbenske and Mrs. Darrell Buchholz. A week of Bible School is held each year. The annual Christmas program put on by the Sunday School has always been a highlight in the church. Offering taken at the Christmas program is given to orphanages.
Info from – Lehr Diamond Jubilee, 1898-1973 (pages 11 & 12)
Evangelical pioneer preachers entered the settlements, visiting the settlers in their primitive sod huts, cheering their lonely lives and bringing them the message of salvation. Among the first of these ministers to preach in McIntosh County and near the present site of Lehr was Rev. Henry Loewen, a man of stately, dignified bearing, impressive personality and godly, life. Rev. Geo. W. Heilscher was the presiding elder and cooperated with the pastor and people in the building of the first Evangelical Church in McIntosh County, a sod structure with wooden roof, 20 ft. by 34 ft. by 10 ft. which was built at a cost of $190.00 and dedicated free of debt on Sunday, November 13, 1887.
After the town of Lehr was begun in 1898, people from different localities soon settled here and the need for a place of worship was soon felt. Those who came from the Loewenthal Valley continued to go to the Zion Church for the most part. The first services in Lehr were held in a public schoolhouse located on the south side of the present Baptist Church. This was in about 1900 under the ministry of Rev. Robert E. Strutz. The village of Lehr made rapid growth and soon the schoolhouse was too small to take care of those who came to worship. The Evangelical Church continued to be the only denomination represented here.
The early church fathers took a long look into the future, and it looked bright for continued progress of the Evangelical Church. So, in the spring of 1904 a church was built. It was a frame structure 26 ft. by 36 ft. with a 26 ft. by 16 ft. addition on the south side. The church was erected at a cost of between $3,300 and $3,400 and was dedicated debt free in the fall of the year with Bishop Bauman present. The bell for the church was donated by Fred Ziegenhagel and Adam Nagel, Sr. Many other friends contributed money and helped with the construction. It is said that Frank Carlson and Grace Kenagy were the first couple to be married in the new church, the ceremony being performed by Rev. E. C. Oeder, under whose ministry the church was built.
Under the ministry of Rev. A. H. Ermel the church was remodeled in 1933. It was raised and moved ten feet east onto a full basement. An alcove was added to the church and a new heating system installed. The basement was well arranged with good pews for prayer meetings, Sunday School classes, organization meetings and social gatherings. There was also a fully equipped kitchen in the basement.
The United Brethren Church merged with the Evangelical Church in 1946, and the church was then known as the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
Under the ministry of Rev. Peter Ackerman, it was decided to construct a new church building due to the inadequacy of the old building. Some of the persons who served on the Building Committee and gave many hours of dedicated service and employed their specialized knowledge and abilities very effectively were R. F. Ruff, Herb e rt Bittner, Vernon Scherbenske, Peter G. Ackerman, Mrs. Dan Billigmeier, Christ Christman, Herbert Klein, John Kauk, Edward Lepp, Mrs. J. J. Mack, Walter Nagel, Theodore Nagel and G. G. Scherbenske.
Lots on which to construct the n e w church building were donated by the August Bittner Estate (Mrs. August Bittner and sons Herbert and Allen Bittner), these lots being located on the southeast edge of the City of Lehr. On September 21, 1958, groundbreaking ceremonies were held with Dr. J. W. Schindler presiding. Soon the new church was started and it was completed in August 1959 at a total cost of approximately $70,000. The church was dedicated unto Almighty God and to Christian Worship in services that began on Thursday evening, September 3, 1959, and concluded on Sunday, September 6, 1959, when morning, afternoon and evening services were held with the dedication ceremony taking place in the Sunday afternoon service. Among those participating in the dedication services were Bishop H. R. Heininger, Dr. J. W. Schindler, Dr. A. G. Martin, Rev. Martin Gruneich, Rev. C. F. Strutz, Rev. C. W. Ketterling, Rev. Walter D. Elmer, and Rev. Peter G. Ackerman who was pastor of the church at the time. A cornerstone ceremony was held on the same Sunday as the dedication prior to the morning service.
The Hope Church, located northwest of Lehr, was served by the same pastor as the Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church in Lehr. In the summer of 1967, the Hope Church was closed and beginning July 9, 1967 they became part of the town church.
In 1968 the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged with the Methodist Church and became the United Methodist Church. The Uniting Conference was held January 6-7, 1969, at Jamestown, North Dakota with Bishop Armstrong. The first session of the North Dakota Conference of the United Methodist Church was held in Bismarck, North Dakota, May 14-17, 1969.
April 25, 1971, was a great day in the history of the church. On that day our district superintendent, Rev. William Morrison, led in the mortgage burning service. The indebtedness on the church building had been paid. Rev. Henry Vix and Rev. Peter Ackerman, former pastors who served during the time of planning, construction and years following, shared in the services, along with the pastor, Rev. Edward B. Parker.
The following ministers have served the church: R. E. Strutz, F. H. Brockmueller, E. C. Oeder, Henry Loewen, H. Neutzman, Paul Krumbein, J. J. Schroeder, D. Bittner, Wm. Butschat, John Fischer, G. C. Thiele, A. H. Ermel, A. Gehring, E. A. Gruneich, A. H. Marzolf, J.M. Burkhard, Oliver Ketterling, M. F. Gruneich, Walter Elmer, Peter Ackerman, Henry J. Vix, Clifford Bergland, Floyd Breaw, W. E . Janetzki and at present, Edward B. Parker.
Some of the officers of the church at the present time are Herbert Bittner, lay leader; Paul Derheim, assistant lay leader; Mrs. Edward Kautz, church treasurer; Harvey Eberle, finance committee chairman and Mrs. G. G. Scherbenske, communion steward. The Board of Trustees includes Elmer Erbele, Bert Miller, Herbert Klein, Herbert Bittner, Clarence Klein, Melvin Fiechtner and Marlow Scherbenske. Mrs. Edward Kautz is the pianist and Miss Linda Derheim is the organist. Rev. Edward B. Parker is the pastor.
The first dwelling built in the town of Lehr was the Evangelical parsonage in 1899. The cost was $1,000. In 1927 a new parsonage was purchased one and one-half blocks south of the church building. This was a new home built by Wm. Koepplin, Sr., just a few years prior to 1927. It is still the church parsonage.
No church is complete without a Sunday School. Here young and old alike can get a religious education. The Sunday School has always played an important part in the church as a whole. Its beginning dates back to the beginning of the church itself. At the present time the average attendance in the Sunday School of the United Methodist Church is 60. The Sunday School Superintendent is Marlow Scherbenske with Edward Kautz and Paul Derheim as assistants. There are seven classes with the following teachers: German class, Martin H. Erbele; adult class, alternate teachers; young adults, Mrs. Edward Kautz and Dave McCormack; young people, Marlow Scherbenske and Helen McCormack; juniors, Elmer Erbele, Mrs. Bert Miller and Mrs. Luther Buchholz; intermediates, Mrs. Elmer Hochhalter, Mrs. Marvin Lepp, Mrs. Elmer Erbele and Mrs. Alvin Erbele; beginners, Mrs. Russell Fiechtner, Mrs. Marlow Scherbenske and Mrs. Darrell Buchholz. A week of Bible School is held each year. The annual Christmas program put on by the Sunday School has always been a highlight in the church. Offering taken at the Christmas program is given to orphanages.
Info from – Lehr Diamond Jubilee, 1898-1973 (pages 11 & 12)