The Golden Anniversary Jubilee

St. John's Lutheran Church

Neillsville, Wisconsin--September 6, 1936

REV. H. BRANDT

1904-1928

Joy again prevailed when on August 7, 1904; the congregation was informed that Pastor H. Brandt of Naugart, Wis., had accepted the call.  With his entrance a quiet congregational life entered.  The members soon held their pastor in love and esteem for he guided them by much instruction, admonition and reproof.  He built them up in the true faith of the Word and the Confessions of the Lutheran Church.  All this was done that God’s Word and Luther’s Doctrine pure should alone hold sway.  The Lord signally blessed his labors.  During his pastorate the congregation enlarged both church and school.  In 1906 the old school house was given a new location on the lot north of the Church, Sixth and Oak Street, with an addition of 38 x 40 feet.  The following members had charge of the work: H. Bieneck, H. Bartell, L. Duge, E. Wiedenhoeft, and Wm. Rindfleisch. – See article on the history of the school written by Prin. E. Sievert. – In 1912 it also became necessary to increase the seating capacity of the church.  In the May meeting the church council and Wm. Sommerfeld, H. Bartell, Otto Roessler, were appointed to serve on the committee.  And addition of 12 x 24 feet was added to the both sides of the old church building.  The church has taken on the shape of a large cross and is constructed of brick veneer.  In the October meeting, 1912, preparations were made to rededicate the remodeled church to the service of Christ, that month being the 25^th anniversary of the church building.  The Jubilee Committee consisted of Frank Hemp, H. Radke, H. Berger and B. Dangers.  Invitations were sent to Rev. A. Hoyer, Rev. Christian Doehler, Rev. F. Eppling, and Teacher Wm Hellerman.  All were present for the occasion.  The celebration took place on a beautiful Sunday in the month of December, 1912.  The old altar and baptismal font were donated to a mission congregation in Buffalo City. – On August 24, 1916, the whole congregation was saddened by the death of Mrs. Wilhelmine Brandt, dearly beloved wife of Pastor H. Brandt. She was laid to rest in the local cemetery by the Rev. August Bendler of Milwaukee, a close friend of the family. – The minutes of the following years bear testimony that the work of the congregation prospered unhampered.  In 1919 lots were purchased west of the school house, which give the pupils ample room for play and recreation. – In 1923 the congregation was privileged to dedicate a Reuter Organ for the cost of $3,350.00 to the praise of the Lord in His Holy Temple.  The committee consisted of Aug. Marg, Fred Hemp, Albert Ott, Ernest Grottke, Henry Naedler, Frank Zickert Sr., and Wm Naedler. – In 1926 the congregation accepted the recommendation of the committee of W. C. Thoma, Harry Wilsman, Henry Naedler and purchased the A. F. Radke residence, bordering on the west side of the church property for the sum of $3,800.  It is used for a teacher’s home.

What do the statistics of this period tell us?  The congregation held a membership of 400 communicants.  Surely a grand number!  Indeed things wet well.  But a congregation is by no means excluded from the days of adversity, and therefore many a sharp conflict may fall to its lot.  Nevertheless, such things are blessings in disguise and must serve to ground us in the true faith.  How negligent and Christ-less would we become if always all things went well!  How easily we might be led to say with the congregation of Loadice, “I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing.”  The Lord then makes use of unpleasant occurrences to again draw us more closely to Him.  In the year of 1928 the congregation passed through such a trial, when the seed of strife that the “old evil foe” had sown among the wheat, sprang up and threatened to choke the good seed. Satan used the same means which caused divisions and offenses in many other congregations of our beloved Wisconsin Synod.  The faction that left the congregation organized the Grace Church of the Protestant Conference and conducted services in the Norwegian Lutheran Church building on the North Side of the City.

Shall be the morn of song!

“Though with a scornful wonder

Men see the church oppressed

By schisms rent asunder,

By heresies distressed;

Yet saints their watch are keeping

Their cry goes up ‘How long?’

And soon the night of weeping,

This deplorable affair painfully shocked the old pastor Brandt, the faithful shepherd of the flock for twenty-four years.  In a special May meeting he even tended his resignation to the congregation.  However, the faithful ones acted the valiant part and retained him as their leader.  Still, in another special meeting of July 1, 1928, the weary leader laid down his staff, the congregation giving him a vote of thanks as a last act of love.  In deed we have all reasons to return thanks unto God for giving unto the Church such good and faithful servants.  In no better way can this be done than to heed the words of Holy Scriptures: “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the Word of God, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”

REV. WM. A. BAUMANN

A list of eight candidates was presented to the congregation.  The choice was the present Pastor Wm. A. Baumann of Elk Mound, Wis., (Beyer Settlement) who was twice called.  His installation took place on Sunday, September 2, 1928, by the Rev. V. Keiper of Maple Works.  On the day of the Golden Jubilee Celebration it will be eight years that he has been privileged with the administration of the sacred office of this congregation.  In his great weakness the grace of God has sustained him to preach the Word of God in all its truth and purity.  The Lord has blessed his ministration to the whole, the sick and the dying.  With the help of God, almost all who left during the controversy have been regained one by one.

“Sheep that from the fold did stray,

Every faithful shepherd seeketh;

Weary souls that lost their way,

Christ the Shepherd seeks and taketh

In his arms that they may live—

Jesus sinners dost receive.”

How true the words have become: 

As soon the night of weeping

Shall be the morn of song.”

The Grace Church of the Protestant Conference, once a strong and defiant opposition, having its own resident pastor for seven years, is not now active.  Their cause is a silent preacher of the power of the Gospel over against the deep guile and great might of Satan. – Permit it also to be mentioned that with the coming of the present pastor it has been the aim to inaugurate a full English program for the future welfare of the congregation.  Regular English services have been established, English adult classes organized from year to year, and the main work in the various organizations is done through the medium of the English language.  The work in the German language, however, is by no means neglected but continued for the sake of our good old German people, who today are far in the minority.  Still it should be a joy to them to see their work carried on by their children and children’s children, even though it is through the English language.  According to the interest and enthusiasm shown, St. John’s Lutheran congregation will continue, God willing, to grow also in the future to the glory of God and for the salvation of many souls.