The Golden Anniversary Jubilee

St. John's Lutheran Church

Neillsville, Wisconsin--September 6, 1936

It surely must have been depressing to the congregation when Pastor F. Eppling presented a call on March 23, 1890, which he had received from another congregation.  After weeks of reluctance, the congregation submitted and gave him an honorable release.

REV. C. A. DOEHLER

1890-1892

Pastor L. Thom of Marshfield was called but declined.  The next pastor was the Rev. Christian A. F. Doehler, who was installed on the Second Sunday after Trinity by the Rev. August Pieper of Menomonie, Wis.  During Rev. Doehler’s pastorate an attempt was made to build a parsonage.  A committee of three was appointed.  However, this matter was dropped when the erection of a school house was given preference.  On Nov. 30, 1890, the congregation decided to build a school house 22 x 34 on the church property, directly north of the church building.  The following men had charge of the work: C. Walk, C. Schultz, H. Blum, H. North, and A. Radke.  The material cost $300.00, all labor was freely given, and the Ladies’ Aid purchased the benches.  On Septuagesima Sunday, 1891, the modest little school house was dedicated to feed the lambs of Jesus with the soul-saving food of the Good Shepherd. – The following year a new bell was placed in the tower of the church and dedicated on Sunday Rogate, 1892.  The bell bears the golden inscription: “Come for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:17.  Let us inscribe this gracious invitation of the Lord upon our memory and follow when the voice of the bell calls us to His house.  The bell weighs 904 pounds and was purchased from the Henry Stuckstede Bell Foundry of St. Louis, Mo.—Rev. Christian Doehler’s work, which the Lord had greatly blessed, came to a close on Aug. 14, 1892, when he was given a peaceful dismissal to serve the congregation at Two Rivers, Wis.

REV. F. THRUN

1892-1904

The Lord provided another shepherd for His flock.  This was the Rev. F. Thrun, of East Bloomfield, Wis., who was installed on October 30, 1892, by the Rev. A. Imm of Maple Works.  Pastor Thrun soon gained the confidence of the young congregation.  He preached the Word in and out of season, reminding the members of their duties to God and the church for the untold blessings in the means of grace.  In the meeting of January 1, 1893, the congregation decided to begin building a parsonage.  A. Radke, B. Dangers and A. Modersohn served on the building committee.  The minutes of the Ladies’ Aid Society show this group of ardent workers purchased the lot on Fourth and Oak Street for $200.  The parsonage was erected for $1,053.00. – On February 7, 1904, a committee of Alb. Franz, Aug. Pirwitz and Herm. Holz was appointed to acquire property for a Church Cemetery.  The matter was given due consideration in various meetings and finally dropped.  The beautiful Neillsville Cemetery has become the resting place of most of our departed members, including the first pastor, the Rev. F. J. Eppling.  His marker bears his name in his own handwriting.  For nearly twelve years Pastor Thrun led the flock to the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  With great reluctance did the congregation release him on July 3, 1904, after the call of Bay City, Mich. was twice extended to him.  The Rev. A. Gerke of Maple Works and the Rev. L. Thom of Marshfield served as vacancy pastors.

~Index/Continue~