Macoupin County, Illinois - Chapter 12: Religious, 1911 (part 2 of 2)

Evangelical Chtjrch, Brighton Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

The first preaching in Staunton by the Lutherans was done by Rev. F. Loehner, of Pleasant Ridge, in 1847. The congregation was organized January i, 1851, and Rev. Fred Reisener was called as its first pastor. For three years prior to this time it had been a mission point under the ministrations of Revs. J. G. Birkmann and K. Schliepsick. The first house of worship was built of logs in 1855, during the pastorate of Rev. Rennecke. One year later the congregation became a member of the Missouri synod. In 1858 the old lots were sold and the church and parsonage removed to the grounds now occupied by the present church, which is a substantial brick structure, erected in 1864, and dedicated on the I3th of November of that year, at a cost of $5,000. At this time Rev. R. Vogt was pastor and the building of this church was one of the victories of his work here.

The first teacher employed in the parochial school was Professor C. W. Trettin, who began his work September i, 1869. A portion of the congregation withdrew in 1877 and formed a nucleus for New Braunschweig. The growth of the home congregation necessitated the formation of a second class in the parochial school and two teachers were employed for it. Professors H. Heise and H. Haas, the latter being succeeded soon after by Professor O. E. Gotsch, who remained a successful teacher of the school until his voluntary retirement in 1903. He was a teacher here for twenty-one years and worked five years in other places.

In August, 1904, the corner stone of the present elegant church building was laid and on the i2th of the following March the building was dedicated with impressive ceremonies. It cost over $20,000 and is one of the most beautiful edifices of this character in this section. The main steeple is 127 feet high and contains a chime of three bells, the largest weighing nearly 1,400 pounds. The foundation is of Grafton stone and the superstructure of pressed brick. The furniture and interior decorations are rich and tasteful. The parochial school has 165 pupils, taught by Professors Guenther and Kowert.

This church was organized October 2, 1881, its founder being Rev. Herman Weisbrodt. The following is a list of the charter members : H. H. Gehner, C. Whitehouse, M. Manske, C. J. Keiser, L. Kanke, H. Sies, A. Buske, C. Sassmannshausen, A. Helmbold, J. Meier, H. Hoelmer, C. Mees, F. Pahde, W. Ilsmemann, W. Mehl, J. H. De Werff, H. Renken, W. Gerdes, G. Degler, W. Eggert, H. Pahde, H. Lucking, M. Arkebauer, F. Reuter, Herman Monke, Henry Monke, H. Blanke, W. Hassheider, W. Gust, R. Collmann, F. Hittmeier and F. Falke.

A frame church was erected in 1881 and in 1884 this was replaced by a brick structure, which is a large and commodious building. Adjoining this structure is a brick school building, which was erected in 1895. The school numbers 154 pupils and three teachers employed. The congregation also owns a parsonage and two dwellings for teachers, the value of the entire property being $30,000. The church is conveniently located on Main street near the business center of the town.

The list of pastors follows: Rev. Herman Weisbrodt, 1881-1900; Rev. C. Abel, 1900-11; Rev. C. J. Broders, who came June 25, 1911 and is the present pastor.

Evangelical Lutheran Zion Church, Mx. Olive

This society was organized in 1854 by Rev. Henry Mueller, assisted by Rev. Besel. Services were held in private homes until the church was erected in 1866. It is a substantial brick structure and has a pipe organ. In 1886 a parsonage was built, while in 1894 a substantial brick schoolhouse was erected at the rear of the church. Three teachers are employed in the school, which numbers 180 pupils, while the church numbers seven hundred communicants. The value of the buildings which include the church, parsonage, school and two teachers' residences, is about $13,000.

The pastors who have served this church are: Henry Mueller, 1854-7; Rev. Hohmann, 1857-9; RCV- Recker, 1859-64; F. W. Eisenbach, who served from 1864 until his death, August 23, 1872. The church was then supplied by Rev. Schrader until 1873, when H. Weisbrodt came and served until 1881. He was succeeded by H. Holtermann, who remained until 1884, while his successor was Rev. Knoll, who served from 1884 until his death in 1894. In the latter year Rev. E. Nottbohm came and is serving at the present time.

This society was organized in 1893 but prior to that time the people of this denomination were ministered to by pastors who came from other points and held services in private homes. In the same year, 1893, a church was also erected, which is a small frame building, in the rear of which is a school and adjoining is a neat parsonage, the cost of the buildings being about $4,000. The communicants number 225, while the attendance at the school is about 30.

The first resident pastor was Rev. John Holthusen, who came in 1894 and remained one year; 1895-1900, Charles Park; 1900-02, Martin Kaeppel ; 1902, to the present time, 1911, August Guebert.