1883 - 1983

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

By Mrs. Adelia Helm

Part 3: 1953 to 1972

The men's club was organized in 1953. It has been active in many activities which assist the congregation. Some of them include keeping the church signs in good repair, putting up the Christmas trees and the Nativity Scene, sponsoring Pittsville Lutheran Hour in honor of deceased members, purchasing devotional booklets for Lent and Advent, and paying for the children's gifts at Christmas. Their 1983 project is placing new shrubbery around the area. One of their annual highlights is their pancake supper held in the fall.

June 13, 1953, a Building Committee was elected for the new church building. A drive to raise money was begun with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the red brick church held October 30, 1955.

Reverend A. Laesch of Milwaukee, was the quest speaker. A campaign for pledges was adopted, 30% of the building cost must be collected in cash before Ground Breaking.

Photograph: Building Committee Richard Hillert, Raymond Foemmel, Hugo Trimberger,
Albert Hasz, -- Pusheck, Walter Schlinsog, Walter Trimberger, Edward Schlinsog,
Clarence Pannier, Raymond Nickel, Edward Garbisch, Pastor Schrieber.

January 13, 1958, Reverend A. Oswald accepted a call to Webster City, Iowa. He served us nine years. The vacancy Pastor E. T. Keller, Pittsville.

January 29, 1958, Reverend Laurence Schrieber, of Glidden, Wisconsin accepted our call. He was installed April 27, 1958. In 1958, the Building Fund showed that about $33,000.00 had been collected in pledges.

May 11, 1958 was the ground breaking ceremony. Rev. L. Schrieber dug the first shovel of ground. Richard Hillert Sr., chairman, read a prayer.

STARTING OF BUILDING THE NEW CHURCH

Photograph: Ground Breaking. Richard Hillert, Rev. Schrieber with shovel, Louie Elmhorst.

Photograph: Raising the rafters for the new church during summer of 1958.

Photograph: Putting up the ends of the church.

Photograph: Church continues to be raised, Sept. 29, 1958. Notice cross on chimney wall.

Photograph: Fixing the chimney and the bell tower and entry way.

Photograph: Bell tower & chimney going up. Roof being shingled.

Photograph: Ladies Aid painting the wall in the basement of new church.
Left to right: Esther Hoeft, Elda Bartz, Lilly Schlinsog, Adelia Helm, Leona Sternitzky,
Anita Hillert, Lois Hasz, Emma Smith, Elenora Reich, Gertrude Garbisch.

I love Thy Kingdom, Lord, The house of Thine abode,
The Church our blest Redeemer saved With His own precious blood.
I love Thy Church, O God. Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye. And graven on Thy hand.
Should I with scoffers join Her altars to abuse?
No! Better far my tongue was dumb, My hand its skill should lose.

For her my tears shall fall,
For her my prayers ascend,
To her my cares and toils be given
Till toils and cares shall end.

Beyond my highes joy
I prize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.

Psalm l37, Lutheran Hymnal No. 462

Great Is The Lord, Our God
Great is the Lord, our God,And let His praise be great;
He makes His churches His abode, His most delightful seat
These temples of His grace, How beautiful they stand,
The honors of our native place And bulwarks of our land!
In Zion God is known, A Refuge in distress;
How bright has His salvation shone. How fair His heavenly grace!

Lutheran Hymnal No. 636

Photograph: Cornerstone was laid, August 24, 1958.
Richard Hillert, Sr., Rev. Lawrence Schrieber and Rev. Lloyd H. Goetz.

August 24, 1958, the Cornerstone was laid in a special ceremony followed by regular church services. In the weeks that followed, the exterior construction was completed. The carpenters were Joe & Leo Sternitzky; the plumbers, heating & electrical system were installed by Arnold & Daniel Garbisch.

Much of the labor was donated by members of the congregation. At one time there was 45 men working together. This amounted to as much as 8,500 labor hours or a $30,000 saving on the cost of the building.

In the spring of 1959, the landscaping was directed by Arthur Riedel who also contributed the shrubbery and the trees.

Oft have our fathers told,
Our eyes have often seen,
How well our God secures the fold
Where His own sheep have been.

In every new distress
We'll to His house repair,
Recall to mind His wondrous grace,
And seek deliverance there.

Psalm 43

Photograph: Nearing Completion, taken February 28, 1959.

In The Name Which Earth And Heaven

In the name which earth and heaven Ever worship, praise, and fear,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, We a house have builded here,
Here with prayer its deep foundations, In the faith of Christ, did lay,
Trusting by His help to crown it With the top-stone in its day.
Here as in their due succession Stone on stone the men did place.
Thus, we pray, unseen, but surely, Jesus, build us up in grace,
Till, as in these walls completed, We complete in Thee are found
And to Thee, the one Foundation, Strong and living stones, are bound.

2 Chron. 6:30, Lutheran Hymnal No. 632

Photograph: This crucifix stood on the altar in the red brick church.
It can still be seen in the sacristy today.
The old wooden altar was moved to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity near Granton, Wisconsin.

Photograph: The old church. A brief farewell service was held May 10, 1959.

Photograph: New church at time of dedication, May 10, 1959, the first service was conducted.

Photograph: Confirmation Class of 1959
This was the last class confirmed at the altar of the red brick church during the spring of 1959.
The members were Virginia Garbisch, Arlene Reich, Mary Hughes, Gary Thur,
James Hasz and Wayne Foemmel with Rev. L. Schreiber.

Photograph: This pulpit was used in the red brick church from 1905 - 1959.
Today we use it in our Fellowship Hall.

DEDICATION

The speakers included the Rev. Lloyd H. Goetz, President of North Wis. District, Morning Service; Rev. Arthur Oswald , Afternoon Service; Rev. Arthur Laesch, Evening Service.

The dedication of the new church was held on May 10, 1959. A brief farewell service was held in the former brick church, followed by a service at the portal of the new church building, the presentation of keys and finally the dedication rite in the new building.

The speakers included the Rev. Lloyd H. Goetz, President of the North Wisconsin District for the morning service. Rev. Arthur A. Oswald in the afternoon service and Rev. Arthur H. Laesch in the evening service. Instrumental and choral groups provided special music. The ladies of the congregation served the meals using the new basement facilities.

Here are the "'Firsts" after we were in our new church.

Photograph: First Baptism - Mr. and Mrs. Alfred (Viola) Garbisch,
Milton Garbisch, Virginia Garbisch holding baby, Janice, Arlene Reich and Rev. Schreiber.

Photograph: First Marriage - Richard Winter and Catherine Elmhorst, Sept. 5, 1959.

Photograph: First 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration - Mr. & Mrs. Robert Strey.

Photograph: First Youth Confirmation - April 10, 1960. Rev. Schreiber and Darwin Schlinsog.

May 17, 1959, Rev. Schrieber conducted "First Service" in the new building.
May 17, 1959, "First Baptism", Janice Lynn Garbisch.
May 27, 1959, "First Funeral", Adolph Riedel.
September 5, 1959, "First Marriage", Catherine Elmhorst, Richard Winter. Dinner served by the Ladies Aid.
April 10, 1960, "First Youth Confirmation, Darwin Schlinsog (alone)
April 27, 1960, "First Banquet Ladies Aid" served Granton Band, mothers, parents, students and teachers.
June 17, 1961, "First 25th Wedding Anniversary, Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Garbisch. The Ladies Aid served the meal.
1961,"First 50th Wedding Anniversary, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Strey. The Ladies Aid served the meal.

Photograph: First 25th Wedding Anniversary, Melvin and Lovella Garbisch.

April, 1961, they started tearing down the former brick church.

Photograph: Tearing down old red brick church April, 1961.

1959, L.L.L., Lutheran Layman League was organized. The organization is still active today.

During the 1960's, the members of the congregation met the challenge of providing the necessary funds to complete the payment on the church building project. Funds also came during these years from several estates.

November, 1962, Pastor Schrieber accepted a call to Westfield, Wisconsin. He served us for 3 years. The vacancy pastor was Reverend Keller, Pittsville.

On April 30, 1963, it was decided that an evening group of the L.W.M. L. (Lutheran Women Missouri League) should be formed.

Reverend Keller called the meeting to order and gave suggestions on how to conduct a Missionary League Meeting. Elected as president, Mrs. Albert (Lois) Hasz; Secretary & Treasurer, Mrs. Donald (Gertrude) Hughes.

Thirty-one joined the L.W.M.L. that evening. Special Mission Projects are planned each year. Bible Studies are taken from the Quarterly and others from Synod. The afternoon Ladies Aid is still affiliated and support the L.W.M.L. with their Mite Boxes. During the year of 1964, the neon cross was placed on the east end of the church. This was given as a memorial for Edward Keuer.

September 1, 1963, Reverend Fred Benecke of Suring, Wisconsin was installed in Granton.

September 21, 1966, Reverend and Mrs. Fred Benecke were on their vacation at Geraldton, Ontario Canada, when our congregation received the sad news of the sudden death of Pastor Benecke with a heart attack. The Vacancy Pastor was Reverend E.T. Keller, Pittsville.

On October 31, 1967, Ladies Aid celebrated their 50th Anniversary. We invited non-aid members and wrote letters to ones that used to be members.

Reverend Keller gave a short sermonette, there was group singing, letters were read from former members and a gift of money was received. The picture of Jesus (30x40) was bought from this money and placed in the Narthex of our church in memory of Ladies Aid 50th Anniversary.

November 26, 1967, Reverend Roland H. Roehrs of Pasadena, California accepted the call to Granton. Under Reverend Roehrs' leadership, the Mission of the congregation continued to grow.

Pastor Roehrs had about thirty-six students in preparation for confirmation.

The congregation decided that lay workers would take the 6th and 7th graders, leaving the 8th graders to the Pastor. This has continued to the present time.

December 8, 1968, the congregation was able to celebrate the burning of the church mortgage.

In 1971, a suspended acoustical tile ceiling was installed in the church basement including lights for $2,360.50.

In 1971, Bibles were also purchased for the church pews from memorials by some members of our congregation.

Pages 14 to 19 of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

1883 - 1983 Centennial Book

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Transcribed by James W. Sternitzky PhD, 2004