St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

{a/k/a North Green Grove}

1879•Fiftieth Anniversary•1929

1879•Seventy-Five Year Anniversary•1954

1879•Centennial Anniversary•1979

1879•125th Anniversary•2004

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District No. 3 School [100] [page 6]

This was the name of the original log cabin school that services were held by Rev. H. Erck. It was later replaced by the Woodland School.

Woodland School House [50] [page 4]

Woodland School was one of the first frame buildings in the area.

This is where the organizational meeting was held for St. Paul’s on March 21, 1979. [100] [page 6]

(Frame construction) - [50] [page 9] & [100] [page 8]

Constructed during the pastorate of Rev. Otte, (1883-1889).

(new church building) - [50] [cover page} & [125] [page 3]

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(new church building) - [125] [page 3]

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[50] [page 12] & [100] [page 8]

Began construction during the pastorate of Rev. E. Buenger and was finished during the pastorate of Rev. C. Witschonke.

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Chronological History of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

Note: Information from for the chronological history of St. Paul’s

Evangelical Lutheran Church is compiled from all four anniversary

books (50th - 75th - 100th- 125th)

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Pre 1877: The history of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Town Colby and Green Grove dates to those early times when this section of the country was still covered with dense but beautiful pine forests and when the early pioneers dwelt in the simplest of log huts. Wagon roads were unknown and people followed the Indian trails or blazed their own way on the trees to show their route. Streams usually had to be forded, for civilization has not yet built bridges. Flour and other provisions had to be carried on the human shoulder for many miles. Only the most fortunate owned a yoke of oxen.

In this untamed wilderness, those qualities of the pioneer, hospitality, courage and fortitude, made living more endurable and enjoyable. Friend or stranger alike could always find a genuine welcome in the home of the pioneer of this wilderness, even if it required personal suffering and denial of already slim resources to do so. Day after day, the strong arms of the pioneer swung the axe, and the crash of falling trees loudly proclaimed the dawn of civilization for these fertile regions. Wild birds, deer, and bear were the only living companions of many pioneer. The days were lonely and some people began to feel forsaken, but even in this isolated wilderness, God was with them.

Marshfield did not yet exist. Colby consisted of a few houses, a store, a hotel and post office. The Central Railroad, later the Soo Line first sent it’s construction crews through the rough wildness only a few years prior to the organization of this congregation.

His messengers, the first missionary pastors, looked up and gathered the lost sheep and brought them the Bread of Life.

Summer of 1877: The first missionary was Rev. W. C. Schilling, pastor of a congregation in Stevens Point. It was the summer of 1877 when Rev. Schilling held the first services in Green Grove. After walking many miles afoot, he slept on the floor of an old attic. There was no stairway to the attic, it is told, and so Rev. Schilling had to get to his bed with the aid of an old salt barrel which happened to stand outside the building. Such were the primitive conditions that existed when this congregation was in its infancy.

1878: As the number of settlers increased, Candidate H. Erck was called in 1878 as missionary into the territory of Rev. Schilling. He was stationed in Town Wien, Marathon County and served the whole territory from Auburndale to Ashland, a distance of 163 miles.

June 6, 1879: Rev. Frank Steyer was called to succeed Rev. Erck. He served here until 1882.

March 21, 1879: Services were held in an old log schoolhouse, named District No. 3 School, which was later replaced by the “Woodland Schoolhouse.” This later was one of the first frame buildings of the section. Here in this log schoolhouse, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized on the 21st of March, 1879.

July 3, 1879: On July 3, 1879, the six charter members of St. Paul’s, Ferd. Marquardt, Fred Grambort, Henrich Thienbach, Charles E. Theilig, Herman Laabs and August Lulloff, along with Rev. H. Erck, serving as President, appeared before Justice of Peace Geo. F. Dailey to execute the Articles of Incorporation of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of the unalterd Augsburg Confession.

July 29, 1879: On July 29, 1879, these articles were recorded in Neillsville, Wisconsin at 8:00 a.m. putting out Centennial Celebration exactly 100 years to date.

Pre 1882: Rev. Frank Steyer was called to succeed Rev. Erck. Rev. Steyer served here until 1882.

1882: Rev. Steyer was followed by Rev. J. Schutte, who resided in Spencer and served this parish as a vacancy pastor until the coming of Rev. Buenger.

1882: Rev. Theo Buenger was called to Dorchester at about this time, and ministered to the needs of the people of Green Grove, besides all the mission places and congregations long the Soo Railroad as far as Ashland.

1883: A year later Rev. H. C. F. Otte was called to Dorchester and then became the next pastor of St. Paul’s at Green Grove. He served here from 1883 to 1889, when he accepted a call to Chippewa Falls. During his pastorate, the “Old Church” was erected and was one of the first large frame buildings of the community, and for its time, was considered quite an accomplishment.

1889: Rev. Otte’s successor was Rev. J. Fiehler, who served St. Paul’s along with Zion Congregation in Colby and other Lutheran groups residing immediately West of Colby. Her served the congregation in this capacity for seven years.

Up until this time, if records were kept, they were not available for additional history to be taken from them. The importance of good records at a time such as this is an invaluable asset. Hopefully, we have given you enough of our background in the earliest years of our congregation to be appreciated. The records from 1900 to 1934 were written in German, on the whole, by the serving pastors. Without the aid of several residents of our country community, in translation, we could not have given you a very in depth picture of the next thirty four years.

1893: The Walther League was formed by Dr. Walter Maier with the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

1897: Rev. A. Kuring replaced Rev. Fiehler in ministering to the needs of the early members of the territory, arriving here at St. Paul’s in 1897.

January 14, 1900: Protocol tells of the annual meeting being called to order at 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. At that time a half hour lunch was held and the meeting continued on into the afternoon. Rev. Kuring served as secretary of the congregation during his pastorate which ended in the year 1902. Rev. Kuring accepted the invitation to be guest speaker of the Jubilee Celebration in 1929.

At the annual meeting of January 14, the pastor was elected Chairman over the church committee in addition to serving as Secretary. Records show the “cashier’s” old balance as being $3.96 which leads us to believe that records were kept prior to 1900. G. Bohn was elected “Cashier” for one year, and Albert Pribbernow and F. C. Theilig were elected Trustees. Furthermore, ‘the Church’ decided that the Lord’s Supper must be taken six times a year, communion services to he held every second month on every second Sunday. At this meeting, discussion was also held on the possibility of adding a school onto the church along with a church tower.

1901: In 1901, discussion began for building a new church. All were to donate a wagon of gravel, two of sand, and three of stone.

1902: The first resident pastor was Rev. E. Buenger, who served from 1902 to 1904. He labored faithfully, as the Protocols of the congregation show, in endeavoring to make this group Lutheran in practice as well as in doctrine. For this reason, it appears that he was considered in a queer light by certain members and suffered much hatred and persecution because of it.

During the two year period of Rev. Buenger, “bad behavior” was looked upon very gravely. Anyone in this situation has a ten day “grace period” to come before the church and confess their misdeeds. Also if one had not gone to communion for a lengthily time, they were required to attend church services first before they were permitted to commune.

1903: During his pastorate (Rev. E. Buenger) , the building of the parsonage, a 30’ X 30’ wood frame, brick exterior, was begun but was not completed until the fall of 1903 when his Prior to building of the parsonage, the pastors very often lived with the parishioners. At the time, three families received the pastors into their home. After the parsonage was erected, wood, animals, food, or anything connected with pure survival, was supplied in place of wages

1904: During the pastorate of Rev. Witschonke, the congregation began to flourish as it had never done before, even though his service to St. Paul’s lasted only three years. Attendance improved, and enthusiasm in the church and the ground surrounding it, showed the parishioner’s interest.

1906: In 1906 a 12’ X 20’ chicken house was built onto the old barn.

1907: 1907 brought forth a fence around all the premises. Fence-posts were $.12 each. Thirty posts were donated by members; and the names of Marquardt, Ewert, and Plutte were recorded as volunteering to measure, plow and seed the area of the church yard.

1908: Rev. Behrendt of Benton harbor, Michigan accepted the call to come to Green Grove in 1908. He spent his best years here, laboring fervently, until circumstances in the congregation made it necessary for him to accept a call to a congregation in Alberta, Canada. He deserves great credit and praise for his fourteen years of God-fearing labor in this congregation, ending in 1922.

Spring of 1908: Mr. Katemann built a board fence around the parsonage to keep the pastor’s livestock and poultry off the church grounds. Also during this year, a building was erected for protecting the parishioners’ horses from adverse weather while they were at worship. This horse shed was located in the Southeast corner of the church property, housing 22 double sets of horses, eleven on each side of the building. Each family of the parish had it own stall and had to tend to its care. Pastor Behrendt very often cared to the cleaning of the stalls, because in his thrifty ways, he could use the fertilizer to enhance his garden’s growth.

1909: The confirmation class of 1909 put funds towards the purchase of the Church bell. The balance was given by August Conrad, father of Amanda Augustine, grandfather of Irma Schultz.

1910: The news of 1910 consisted of moving the “little house” closer to the church and building a new one for the parsonage.

Pastor Behrendt taught catechism four days a week, each student attending one year. He also took care of all the programs in which the children were involved, giving out individual pieces to recite, and including the whole congregation in singing its praised to the Lord Almighty. Exact dates are not clear for the following, but we do know that mission dinners and picnics were held in the woods behind the church. A platform and benches were built in the forest clearing for a more formal service, and the organ was even carried outdoors to enhance the services. Because misbehavior was not looked upon very kindly, we are quite sure many “ladybugs” came and went without being noticed by too many.

1911: The year of 1911 brought forth talk of building a new church once again. The material to be used was brick, and the dimensions to be 34’ wide, 56’ long and 18’ high. A special building fund was to be started with Wm. Sommer, Wm. Buss, Wm. Miller and Pastor Behrendt serving on the committee.

1912: Our sister church, St. Luke’s was dedicated.

1912: In 1912 firewood for the church was to be cut in 2’ lengths, the cost being $1.50 a cord. Also, it was decided to provide rooms in the basement of the ‘old church” for Christian education purposes.

1913: 1913 brought a final decision to erect the “new church,” the month of this decision unknown. The site was to be just South of the present church. Completion of this building did not end until the year of 1914, the month being September.

1914: The Ladies Aid was founded under the guidance of Pastor Behrendt.

April 5, 1914: Prior to completion (new church), the first Confirmation class had services April 5th of the same year. The old church was sold to Mr. Williams for $80.00. A monthly donation for instructions in school was asked for those who did not donate to the building fund. August Schumann was caretaker that year.

April 5, 1914: Those among the first class in the “new church” to repeat their first vows of Confirmation, April 5, 1914 - Hubert Glenzer, Walter Kobs, William Buss, Ernest Pribbernow, Louise Lulloff, Edna Hertz, Meta Miller, Walter Laabs, Lenora Schauer, Hattie Singstock, Hulda Woik.

September 1914: Completion of the new church building.

August 25, 1915: Protocol of August 25, 1915 calls for additional fence to surround the cemetery and to complete the fencing around the church yard.

January 17, 1917: January 17, 1917 was the date of the Annual Meeting and to this day is still an important event insofar as the women of our congregation are concerned. By vote, the ladies of the church earned the right to vote on matters concerning the physical and spiritual principles of the church.

The young men of the congregation, at the age of twenty-one, earned the right to vote by paying a $5.00 “set cost” and had to donate a set amount of firewood to the church.

October 1922: Following a vacancy of six months, Rev. Goetsch accepted the call to Green Grove, and was installed in October of 1922. Until this time the German language was used exclusively in church worship and religious instruction.

1923: The last class to receive confirmation instruction in the German language was in 1923.

1924: The Green Grove congregation was admitted to membership in the Missouri Synod in 1924. Extensive repairs and improvements were made to the church property in this same year. Among other things, the parsonage was re-shingled and redecorated, and a cement floor was laid in the church basement.

January 9, 1927: August Schumann became secretary April 22, 1917, serving that office until the Annual Meeting of January 9, 1917 when Joe Bachmeier took office.

June 30, 1929: The difficulty in translating the German transcipt from the years of 1920 through 1934 leaves us with a short lapse in the church activities during this time. However, the concern in keeping the church alive through His precious Word, brought St. Paul’s through the year of 1929 to celebrate its 50th Anniversary on June 30.

1930: Sunday School and Sunday School Teachers were organized.

January 21, 1934: The last records to be recorded in German hand were dated January 21, 1934, with George Schulz taking office the same year.

1937: In 1937 the first mention of the North Wisconsin Synod Conference, held at Shawano on June 17-23 was written in English. The Congregation voted to join the Clark County R.E.A. on a cast of 15 to 2. We paid $1.00 to join. We must remember that these years were during the depression and finances were very tight, not only in the homes of the parishioners but also in our church. Our pastor was paid in firewood and food because money was scarce.

1937: St. Paul’s Congregation voted to join the Clark County R.E.A.

October 16, 1938: The congregation helped the Ladies Aid to plan a celebration in acknowledging the standing of the new church building for twenty-five years.

January 1940: Going back to the earlier years of the congregation and council meetings, a chairman was selected for each given meeting. Mr. Herman Singstock served in this capacity for every meeting until the Annual Meeting of January 1940, when a motion was carried that the congregation elect a president for one year. The first president of the congregation was Mr. Herman Singstock.

August 11, 1940: A special meeting concerning wiring the church for electricity was held. A ballot vote cast the results in favor of installing the wiring. Due to the generators not being hooked up in time for the Christmas Eve service, Al Justman from Unity brought his portable generator in his truck so everyone could enjoy the new lights during the Christmas program. At this point, we note that the church has electricity installed before the parsonage.

January 1942: It was decided to have one German service a month. Later this was changed to having these services only during the summer months. During this time changes were being made in the structure of the responsibilities of the council members.

1945: Off and on during the earlier church years, St. Paul’s had its own janitor, namely Mr. Plutte. He tended to the cleaning of the church, mowing the yards, etc. However, in 1945 the trustees were to see all repairs and oversee the keeping of the church in good condition. To this day, this policy remains in effect.

1947: A new garage located next to the parsonage was built in the year of 1947.

1949: The year of 1949 brought fourth a new search for a minister when Rev. Goetsch accepted as call to Cumberland, Wisconsin after servicing this parish for twenty-seven years. St. Paul’s welcomed Pastor Goetsch as a guest speaker for their 75th Anniversary. A motion was carried by the council at this time that the three congregations of St. Paul’s, St. Luke’s and St. Paul’s (Curtiss) stay together as one in calling a new minister. The Rev. O. Hoffman served as vacancy minister until our call was answered. A new wood furnace was installed in the church basement late in this year, and tentative plans were discussed for the remodeling of the parsonage.

1950: In 1950 Candidate Paul T. Dietz accepted our call to Green Grove. Plans for writing up a new constitution in the English language were discussed. Another change for St. Paul’s church came with the abolishment of the “Kringel Beutel,” a collection bag, and the introduction of the “envelope system,” which was to take effect January 1, 1951.

1950: During the pastorate of Rev. Dietz, the interior of the parsonage was redecorated and modernized.

1950: The new St. Paul’s church constitution was written in English.

1951: While serving St. Paul’s parish, Rev. Dietz introduced what we know as Vacation Bile School today.

January 1, 1951: Envelope collection system was introduced and the “Klingen Beutel” was abolished.

January 17, 1951: The parishioners of St. Paul’s passed a resolution: “Resolution for Theo Sommer -- The secretary of the council tender to Theo Sommer the sincere thanks of the council and congregation for the many years of faithful service which he has given to his God and to his church.”

1952: A new organ and a safe for the church were purchased in 1952 and again, St. Paul’s had a vacancy position for a minister. Rev. Dietz left Green Grove in August and returned to speak to his former parish at the 75th Anniversary celebration. Again, Pastor O. Hoffman of Zion congregation in Colby helped serve us as vacancy minister. However the Rev. Richard J. Scholz of North Spencer also served St. Paul’s for one year.

1952: The Women’s Choir was organized.

March 1, 1953: Records show that again the congregation was making plans for remodeling the church interior so as to have these plans completed in time for the 75th Anniversary Celebration in 1954.

June, 1953: St. Paul’s call to Candidate William C. Grafe was answered in June of 1953 with his installation taking place in August.

Fall of 1953: The new garage was erected by the men of the Church.

1954: The Walther League was organized.

1954: St. Paul’s Church Officers are William Singstock, President - Hubert Koffarnus, Secretary - William Theilig, Treasurer - Vernon Boss, Financial Secretary - Walter Laabs, Edler - Herbert Lube, Elder - Albert Dekarske, Elder - Frank Buss, Elder - Vernon Sommer, Trustee - Gerhard Krueger, Trustee - Marvin Seefluth, Trustee - Henry Dittmeyer, Trustee.

1954: With a celebration to prepare for, St. Paul’s congregation was experiencing one of its busiest times in 1954. Redecorating and planning took many long hours, with everything completed in time for this joyous event on August 22, 1954.

1954: Members of St. Paul’s Anniversary Committee are Harley Hardrath - Walter Laabs - Herbert Lube - Herman Singstock - Mrs. Herman Singstock - Paul Woik.

1954: Members of the Redecorating Committee are Vernon Sommer, Chairman - Henry Dittmeyer - Arthur Ewert - Marvin Seefluth - Theodore Sommer - William Wankusky.

1955: Early in 1955, Rev. Grafe left Green Grove. He is now the pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Union Lake, Michigan. We are looking forward to hearing his message at the Centennial service on Sunday, July 29, 1979.

1955: A memory work policy was adopted and is effective to inform parents of their child’s progress

related to the Six Chief Parts of Luther’s Small Catechism, Bible passages and prayers in the Sunday School program.

July 17, 1955: Rev. Martin Krause was installed July 17, 1955. Pastor Krause took one year of post graduate work at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, before accepting the call to Green Grove parish. During the year of 1955, the church council and congregation adopted the motion that all children be at least thirteen years old before being confirmed. The rest rooms in the church basement were finished and a projector and screen were purchased to enhance the Christian education of our children.

1956: 1956 brought forth the conversion from wood to oil furnace.

September 4, 1957: Rev. Krause accepted a call to Courtland parish in Minnesota. At present, he is pastor of Sharon Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and will be our guest speaker at our Sunday afternoon service for the Centennial Celebration.

February 17, 1958: The Curtiss parish was given a release from St. Paul’s. At this time, St. Paul’s was still being served with a vacancy pastor.

July 1958: Rev. Howard A. Timmerman was installed into our congregation. Rev. Springler of Abbotsford and Rev. Prodehl filled the vacancy until Pastor Timmerman’s arrival.

October 1958: In October of the same year, the need for twenty new “Luther’s Small Catechism” books was seen by Pastor Timmerman; and at the same time, ten new hymn books were purchased.

1959: This year was busy like all the rest. New additions to the Sunday School and Church consisted of a mimeograph machine and discussion of a new oil furnace was a main topic of the meetings held.

January 10, 1960: A motion was brought and carried in favor of all male members of the congregation eighteen years of age or older; they would be permitted to vote on all matters concerning the church.

1961: The Annual meeting of 1961 brought about a change in the by-laws of St. Paul’s Constitution. We originally had four elders to serve the parish, However at this time, the voters felt it necessary to elect six men to fill these positions. By a motion carried, the first Sunday of May for the years forthcoming would be set aside to be called “Charity Sunday,” and our services would be to the same effect. The need for a new furnace was again facing the voters of our congregation in the fall of 1961. By ballot, the motion to install a new furnace was passed. Again, the financial needs of the church were passed on to the families of the parish and with the Lord’s guidance, our commitments were met. Pastor Timmerman had served our congregation faithfully and loyally through the year of 1961.

January 1962: Pastor Timmerman had earned the privilege to accept a missionary assignment for P.T.R. and was given a peaceful release from St. Paul’s.

1962: Rev. Jerome V. Wohlfeil succeeded Rev. Timmerman. He was installed into our conjuration in 1962.

During the two years he spent in the North Wisconsin District, he was pastoral advisor for zone L.L.L. and Circuit Public Relations Representative. Rev. Wohlfiel received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fort Wayne and a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from St. Louis.

1963: Mr. Wm. Theilig was appointed to be St. Paul’s delegate to the District Convention in Marquette, Michigan held August 19 - 22, 1963. A note of interest might be that Mr. Theilig had been a member of St. Paul’s his entire life and is still on the membership rolls of the church at the time we are celebrating our 100th Birthday.

1964: Again in 1964 some changes in St. Paul’s parish would take place. The custodian’s office, which had been in effect for may years prior to this, would be abolished. Mr. Plutee has served this congregation well. It was approximately a this time that the Melvin Gosse family gave so generously of their time. The church yards were mowed and tended to with care. Not only did Melvin and his wife Betty donate their time and effort, but also their whole family. To this date, although the Gosses have transferred, they still remain “grounds-keepers.”

August 2, 1964: Once again St. Paul’s Church was looking to the fact that they would soon be without a pastor. August 2, was Rev. Wohfeil’s last service in Green Grove. He left this parish for an assistant pastorate in Afton, Missouri at Salem Lutheran Church.

September 1965: For longer than a year our country church was without a pastor of its own. Rev. Woodruff of Colby and Rev. Urman of Withee served St. Paul’s needs until the call of Rev. Arthur Rasch in September of 1965. After completing his ministerial training, this student of Concordia Theological Seminary of St. Louis began his ministry in 1926 as a missionary in India where he worked for twenty-seven years. Rev. Arthur Rasch a native of Buffalo, New York, knew well the meaning of Jesus’ words, “If anyone wants to come with me, he must forget himself, carry his cross, and follow me,” for such was the missionary life of this man. Although his ministry to Christ brought many blessings as a circuit missionary serving up to thirty congregations, he also knew hardships and heartfelt sadness. For a period of five years he and his wife, Marie were separated from five of their children whom they has to leave stateside. Three children preceded him in death. Prior to accepting our call, this faithful servant of the Gospel served a parish in Meade, Kansas for four and one-half years, after having spent seven and one-half years of ministry in Friedeim, Missouri. Rev. Rasch appreciated the young as well as the old. A little boy was once studying Pastor Rasch very intently. Upon asking the little boy what he was thinking, Rev. Rasch was told “I’m thinking that you ain’t got so much hair!”

1966 - 1968: During the next three years, personal calls were made to the parishioners homes, general repair and maintenance to the church and parsonage were attended to, Bible study classes were attended and in general, God’s people busied themselves in making St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on important part of their lives and an important place to worship, with their friends and neighbors in this small community.

1969: 1969 brought an endorsement of vigorous support on the Bethesda Home Building program. With missions being an important part of God’s work, St. Paul’s congregation felt the need to share in this event. Robert Boss was selected to be the Church Extension Fund Delegate in April of this year, and a motion carried in October was another stepping stone in church history for the women, Our congregation adopted the Synod Resolution of Women’s Suffrage.

1970: Did you remember that Harley Hardrath and Vernon Sommer were our delegates for the North Wisconsin District Convention in 1970? Our alternate was Delmar Pieper.

1971: Throughout the years, only men of the congregation held council office until the election of Mrs. Verna Schmidt in the year of 1971.

1971: Were you among those who received their examination on May 29 and were confirmed on May 30, 1971? Truly what a blessing it is to become a member of God’s house through your own confession.

1972: Mother Nature brought everyone a fairly cold, long winter the year of 1972. Because of this, Sunday School was held during the normal service hour for the winter months. Our voters chose to support the radio program, “Day by Day with Jesus.” The upstairs of the parsonage was closed because of non-use, and again the ladies of the congregation won support in voicing their desires in the church. January 31, 1972, anyone being a member of St. Paul’s church had the right to cast a vote when called upon to do so.

In May of the same year, Vernon Sommer replaced Vernon Boss as council president, and Delmar Pieper became our new trustee. Throughout the summer months the roofs of our buildings were repaired. This involved replacing the entire parsonage roof. Another busy year gone by.

1973: On January of 1973, our pastor informed the council of his intentions of retirement. Rev. Rausch stayed with St. Paul’s for eight years after being installed in November of 1965 at the age of sixty. After serving his Lord for forty-eight years, illness caused this faithful servant to leave us, retiring to his home in St. Louis, Missouri in May of 1973.

July 15, 1973: On the warm, sunny afternoon of July 15, 1973, Rev. Steven Hasenstein was welcomed to Green Grove, with the installation service being held at the St. Paul Lutheran Church Parish. Heeding the words of Jesus in John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, that you may go and bring forth fruit,” this native of Sheboygan, Wisconsin entered Concordia Lutheran College at Ann Arbor, Michigan after graduating from Concordia High School in Milwaukee. After completing his Bachelor of Arts program at Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana, he enrolled at the seminary in St. Louis. In 1971 he served his theological internship at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota. Upon graduation from Concordia Theological Seminary, St. Louis, with a Masters of Divinity Degree, Rev. Hasentein was ordained into the ministry in his home town of July 1, 1973, after which time he accepted the office as pastor to St. Paul’s and St. Luke’s Church of Green Grove. Pastor Hausenstein held his first joint council meeting July 19, 1973 to acquaint himself with our church policies and to introduce some of his own ideas. Under new leadership, St. Paul’s congregation once again busied itself in hearing and spreading the “Good News.” In the interest of extending the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the community, Pastor Hasenstein selected twelve men, thereby forming an Evangelism Committee to aid in this important service.

A group of women were selected to once again form an Altar Guild, a commitment from the congregation to support the Lutheran Children’s Friend Society, and the young people’s group became very active again - these were just a few of the projects in Pastor Hasenstein’s itinerary. During this time note was taken of the upcoming event of St. Paul’s 100th Anniversary in the year of 1979. In order to prepare well in advance of the celebration, one Sunday each month was set aside to be known as “Thankoffering” Sunday. At this time, those who felt they had been blessed exceptionally during the month could bring their offerings to be put into a special find to be used for the Centennial expense. This motion was carried in January of 1974, five years prior to this event. During Rev. Hasenstein’s pastorate, St. Paul’s congregation again enjoyed an event of “years ago,” by having an out-of-doors picnic and communion service. Guitar music was provided and a potluck lunch was served. A softball game after lunch drew the enthusiasm of both young and old. What joy to be part of God’s people, grouping together in fellowship.

1974: The Altar Guild was established under the guidance of Pastor Hasenstein. Previously, Communion had been set up by the Elders.

January 1976: In January of 1976 Pastor Hasenstein accepted a call from Zion Lutheran Church in Catham, Michigan. At present, Rev. Hasenstein is pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Des Peres, St. Louis, Missouri. During this vacancy Pastor Robin O. Fink of the Zion Parish in Colby served our congregation.

May 16, 1976: ‘Oh Lord, open Thou my lips.” This began the pastoral duties of Rev. Roland Rakow at St. Paul’s and its sister church, St. Luke’s after being installed may 16, 1976 by Rev. Henry Simon, President of the North Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Upon graduating in 1962 from Concordia Teachers College, in River Forest, Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree, Rev. Rakow accepted a teaching position at Muskegon, Michigan. After four years at Trinity Lutheran School, he accepted a call to Weyaywega, Wisconsin where he taught at Christ Lutheran School for two years. In 1968 Rev. Rakow entered the Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. After his graduation from there in August of 1971, he receive his call to the ministry at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Beecher, Illinois, where he was pastor until accepting our call here at Green Grove. He arrived here with his wife, Betty on May 10, 1976. A faithful, God-fearing man, Pastor Rakow has led this parish along the paths of our Savior’s commands. membership in the church and Sunday School has flourished. Youth ministry is again an important aspect in-as-much as the teens of our church are being led in the ways of our church. A Bible Study Group has been formed under the leadership of Ms. Pearl Erdman, meeting on Sunday mornings before services. Ministering to the needs of our elderly in their homes or in the surrounding nursing homes of our communities, is a regular part of pastor’s schedule. Our services are blessed with the selections of the church choir; and at times, parishioners of St. Paul’s go to services at the nursing homes to assist in singing praises with our sick and aged. Rev. Rakow continues to extend the saving message of God’s Grace on this 100th Anniversary as from St. Paul’s pulpit we hear the Good News of the Gospel. Membership in St. Paul’s Lutheran congregation is a blessing many of us might tend to overlook. The comforting style of our worship services, the warmth of having those around you sharing in God’s truths, and the feelings of being a part of our Lord’s work, are assets which we as a congregation must feel many times, but do not acknowledge as often as we should. For generations, these aspects have been valued highly. Although we have always been small in numbers, St. Paul’s parish has been great in upholding its rich heritage of the Lutheran faith. At present St. Paul’s Lutheran Church has a total of 195 baptized members and 145 communicant members. As we look forward to future years of Grace in God’s service, may He grant us consecrated hearts to continue steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine in fellowship in breading of bread and in prayers to that our every thought, word and deed will be to God’s glory and to the spiritual welfare of our fellow-redeemed.

1979: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Centennial Committee - Co-Chairmen, Vernon Sommer and Charles Garvey - Planning, Harley and Eileen Hardrath, Wilbert and Adeline Miller, Vernon and Jeanette Sommer, Charles Garvey, David Erikson, Hubert and Pearl Koffarnus, Margo Seefluth, Mrs. Verna Schmidt, Beverly Schmidt, Harlan Adams, Pastor and Betty Rakow - Anniversary Book - Margo Seefluth, Joyce Hamann, Sandra Sommer, Lorraine Obernberger - Set Up - Rolland Knecht and Wilbert Miller - Publicity - David Erikson - Food - Bernice Miller, Vernetta Knecht, Shirley Erdman - Parking - James Lulloff and Gordon Armbrust - Display - Margo Seefluth - Clean Up - Rod Garvey and David Sommer.

July 28 & 29, 1979: Celebration of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Centennial.

April 6, 1981: Vernon Sommer suggested raising the price of lots to $25.00 and $50.00 for perpetual care.

May 17, 1981: A speaker system was put in the Church.

April 18, 1982: The congregation voted to have communion twice a month instead of just once.

April 29, 1982: The congregation decided to enlarge the Church parking lot after talking to the highway commissioner.

January 16, 1983: Melvin and Betty Gosse were recognized for 20 years of service as caretakers of the Church grounds and cemetery.

April 17, 1983: A conversion was made from gas to an electric stove in the basement kitchen.

July 14, 1984: St. Luke’s equally shared expenses of the St. Paul’s parsonage.

1985: Pastor Rakow left St. Paul’s and the vacancy was filled by Rev. David Maki of St. Peters, Dorchester.

July 21 1985: A pancake brunch was put on by the men of the congregation.

October 1986: Rev. DuWayne Schneider served the Green Grove parish from October 1986 until October 2000. St. Paul’s parsonage is just 22 miles from the farm near Stratford where Pastor Schneider grew up. He enjoyed stating that Green Grove was as close to home that he could serve without having any relatives in the congregation. Coming to Green Grove allowed him to be close enough to the relatives so that they could visit his mother, for whom he was providing care at the time, without having to put them up for the night.

July 19, 1987: The parsonage was remodeled.

January 15, 1988: The subject of locking the church was brought up.

May 15, 1988: A parking lot was made on the South side between the Church and the parsonage.

July 28, 1988: A congregation picnic was held at Rock Dam.

February 1990: A discussion by the council to get a cross for the Altar and candlesticks resulted in the Orin Kramers purchasing both items in 1991.

May 1990: The entrance fund and the thank offering fund were combined as one.

June 1990: The Red Cross met with approval when they asked if this Church could be used for a designated disaster area in case of emergency.

July 28, 1990: Our parish picnic was held at Rock Dam.

September 1990: A joint decision was made to have a furnace and air conditioning installed in the parsonage by Chuck’s Heating from Spencer with Will’s Gas supplying the fuel.

1991: The youth group was started by a few of the mothers in 1991. They called themselves the “Saints” for St. Paul’s and St. Luke’s, our sister church.

January 1991: The LWML reported that they would no longer lend out the kitchen appliances.

March 1991: The collection plates were re-plated by a gift from Harley and Eileen Hardrath.

April 1991: Our basement blinds were purchased with monies from Suzanne Robuck, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Wachsmuth, St. Paul’s Sunday School and memorial money from Edna Laabs.

May 1991: The lectern light was given in memory of Gale by Vernon and Jeanette Sommer and the pulpit light given by Richard and Joyce Hamann for their wedding anniversary.

June 1991: Vacation Bible School enrollment was 51 children.

July 1991: Creative Metals in Curtiss put a different base on the candelabra thanks to the Kramers.

February 1992: A special funds secretary position was established to handle memorial and special gifts with Karen Sommer as the acting secretary.

April 1992: The church council held discussions on building a garage. Wayne Schultz began construction in August and completed the garage work in October of 1992.

January 18, 1993: A discussion was held on communion glasses, with comments on disposable glasses versus washable glasses and common cup. The vote was to use individual glasses.

March 1993: A Seder meal was planned for Sunday School children and their parents as a Passover Celebration on Maundy-Thursday.

July 1993: At the quarterly meeting, a motion was made and seconded to remove the Altar rail.

October 1993: The quarterly meeting resulted in approval by the voting members to have young people acolyte with vestments at Sunday worship services.

January 1994: At the annual meeting, a show of hands favored converting the pulpit into two lecterns on either side in the arch area.

March 1994: The Easter morning breakfast was well attended with free will offerings reaching the goal of $600.00.

March 1994: Marlyn Sommer implemented hymnal repair at approximately $10.00 plus postage.

April 2, 1994: During Rev. Schneider’s pastorate St. Luke congregation’s building burned during the early hours of Holy Saturday on April 2, 1994. The congregation decided to merge with St. Paul’s instead of rebuilding. St. Luke’s members who wished to join other congregations were then transferred from St. Paul’s to the congregation of their choice.

June 1994: The theater seats in the Church balcony went to the Mennonite School in Thorp.

July 1994: Additional hymnals were added per pew with a rack including an area for communion cards.

July 1994: A motion to send an invitation to St. Luke’s members to merge with St. Paul’s since the destruction of their Church by fire.

August 1994: The Lulloff memorial was used to purchase new hymnals and Altar cloths.

October 1994: Altar flowers are furnished by individual donations for birthdays, anniversaries or other special occasions.

October 1994: A credence table was given as a memorial for Marvin Seefluth.

October 27, 1996: The first of the stained glass windows were installed that Phil and Sue Roebuck donated as a memorial for Harley and Eileen Hardrath.

June 1997: The former St. Luke’s congregation generously designated their insurance proceeds to be used for a Narthex addition to St. Paul’s building. Many other generous donations and a loan from LCEF were needed to cover the cost of the new Narthex. This would be the first major renovation since the building was erected in 1913.

June 8, 1997: Eldred Schuette offered getting fill to make the parking lot bigger between the church and the parsonage.

February 8, 1998: A motion to transfer $90,000.00 from St. Luke to St. Paul building fund with stipulation that it must be used for capital improvements by January 15, 2001. Money left in LCEF for the present.

July 9, 1998: Only $2,500.00 was needed to complete the stained glass windows.

October 22, 1998: The eight stained glass windows are all completed in the nave.

January 17, 1999: The Sunday School superintendent was added to the Church counsel.

April 2, 1999: St. Paul’s cemetery grave sites increased from $125.00 to $175.00.

March 25, 2000: A special votes meeting showed ballet votes for the proposed addition 26 against and 22 for.

April 9, 2000: A motion to reestablish the building committee.

April 16, 2000: The building committee should present a proposal for a reduced cost addition.

October 2000: Upon Rev. Schneider’s retirement, Rev. Paul Hunsicker of Christ Lutheran Church, Abbotsford became interim pastor.

December 3, 2000: voters approve the Narthex addition 30 yes to 12 no.

March 11, 2001: Ground breaking for the Narthex.

August 12, 2001: Rev. Aaron Kangas was installed pastor of St. Paul’s. Rev. Kangus had graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana on may 18, 2001. Rev. Kangas left in June 2003.

October 7, 2001: Dedication was held on the new 84’ X 28” Narthex.

March 9 2002: The use of chanting in the worship service is discussed.

December 14, 2002: The new mound system had been completed and inspected.

June 2003: Pastor Kangas resigns.

July 2003: Rev. Dr. Paul Hunsicker Sr. served as vacancy pastor from July of 2003 until he was called to serve as the sole pastor of St. Paul’s in November of 2003. Rev. Hunsicker was born in Wausau, Wisconsin and attended Zion Lutheran School for nine years. He then graduated from Wausau Senior High School. He attended Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri receiving his Master of Divinity Degree in 1984. In 1994 he received a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. St. Paul’s is again flourishing under Pastor Hunsicker’s guidance.

2004: The Shield of St. Paul, removed because of construction, was found and refurbished and once again displayed.

2004: A pictorial directory was completed during the beginning of the year.

2004: Through the year, the basement kitchen was remodeled, painted and a ceramic floor was installed.

October 10, 2004: Celebration of the 125th Anniversary of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

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