THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

The new congregation soon felt the need of a Sunday school for the children. About six months later a Sunday school was started and Mr. Fred Stelloh, then a young man, took the task upon himself of conducting and teaching it.  He had to work out the lessons in his own way for there were no prepared materials or teachers guides available. The Sunday school was held every third Sunday.  The attendance was small for there were only about two or three children at the start.

When the church was located at Neillsville the pastor was still an itinerant minister and Mr. Fred Stelloh was still the sole leader and teacher of the Sunday school.

As the congregation grew in membership so did the Sunday school grow.  By the time Rev. Grether became our spiritual guide the group was sufficiently large so that the children were divided into age groups and a teacher was provided for each group.

Some of the young people now began to help in the Sunday school by conducting classes. They gave generously of their time, talents, and even money to keep up this work.  Some taught for many years.  Foremost in this group is Mrs. Alice Grap.  She started to teach soon after her confirmation and has taught much of the time ever since, having taught for a number of years.

Identifications [Left side]  [Right side]

Mrs. Grap’s class has always been the tiny tots.  Her cheery smile and friendliness has opened the door to the mysteries of Sunday school for so many of our little folks.

During the time that the church was without a pastor for seventeen months the Sunday school teachers carried on their work so valiantly that to them belongs much credit for keeping the church spirit alive.

As the number of children steadily increased the need for more classroom space became acute.  The remodeling of the church basement provided the needed room.

Today we have a two-department Sunday school with a membership of one hundred and four children and seventeen teachers and officials.

Because we believe lessons are best learned by doing, the children carry on some charitable project each year.  The project varies as the need arises.

Thus down through the years many children have learned to know the Lord because of the continued efforts of those people who answered the call and gave freely of their time and knowledge.

In the building of God’s Kingdom on earth the church is its foundation and the Sunday school is the cornerstone of that foundation.  Therefore it is the privilege and the duty of each one of us to give it our loyal support.  Let these words of Joshua be our guiding motto during the coming years, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Mrs. Harold Ottow, Cradle Roll Chairman

Mrs. Henry Stucki, Recording Secretary

Mrs. Earl Zille, Treasurer

Mrs. Stuart Lathrop, Supt. of the Primary Department

Mrs. George Hendrickson, Assistant

Mr. Alfred Hovey, Supt. of the Intermediate Department

Teachers:

Mrs. Alice Grap, Miss Joan Carlson, Miss Gail Ludovic, Mrs. Alfred Hovey, Mr. Sam Ray, Mr. Marlin Hoesly, Mrs. Kenneth Seelow, Mrs. Albert Zank, Mrs. Sam Ray, Mrs. Ray Filitz, Mrs. Fred Maeder

Officers

President, Mrs. William Gerlach

Vice President, Mrs. Ivan Lauscher

Secretary, Mrs. Fred Maeder

Treasurer, Mrs. Alfred Hovey

History by Mrs. Richard Albrecht

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