St. Paul's celebrates 100 years

St. Paul's was organized in 1918 soon after World War I came to a close. On November 24 of that year a meeting was held in the farm home of Benjamin Hilpert. Pastor O.W. Juengel, of Sidney, presented a constitution which was discussed and adopted. With joy in their hearts, ten men signed the constitution as charter members: Benjamin Hilpert, Theodore Seibel, Arthur Schubarth, Arthur Oberndorfer, Ray wills and five Mueller brothers, John, Frank, Art, Hugo and Oscar. Of these, descendants of Benjamin Hilpert, Arthur Schubarth and Arthur Oberndorfer are still members today.

The congregation grew when A. Matthes, A. Schuessler, O. Bergt, C.G. Gemeinhardt, H. Schubarth, A. Schubarth and A Schlichting were added by transfer from Salem church of Gurley. Otto Braunschweig was the first resident pastor of St. Paul's and was installed in June 1919. Soon thereafter, the congregation became a member of the Missouri Synod. St. Paul's first house of worship was dedicated on August 24, 1919 with Prof. Weller of Seward the speaker. The parsonage next to the church was built in the fall of 1924 and spring of 1925 and the parsonage in town was sold. The parochial school resolved upon in 1924 was opened in 1925 with student F. Reins in charge and was conducted in the Church building. In 1925 a Young People's Society was organized which immediately joined the Walther League. Also, a Ladies Aid came into being. Otto Braunschweig preached his farewell sermon the this congregation on New Year's Day 1926 and followed a call to Aurelia, Iowa. Pastor J.H. Hinck served St. Paul's from September 1926 to February 1929. During those years the school was conducted by Miss Ella Vick and student Walter Bredehoeft. In August 1929 Pastor Gustav H. Boehnke was installed and ministered to this congregation and community for more than 11 years. During this time the teachers were Meta Fiehler, until 1930, and Carl Mueller, who continued to have charge of the school until 1943.

From 1940 until 1944, St. Paul's formed a part of a twin parish and was served by Pastor V.J. Jung, who was shepherding Salem Church, Gurley. During his ministry St. Paul's observed its Silver Anniversary.

From 1944 to 1947 Pastor Martin J. Juengel ministered to St. Paul's as to a separate and distinct parish. The school was in charge by Mrs. Robert Fiehler, 1945-47. From December of 1947 until January of 1952 Pastor E. Walter Bellmann shepherded St. Paul's. In 1948 a good school house was purchased and moved to the premises. During the school year 1948-49, Miss Elaine Hegemeier had charge of the school. It was closed in 1949.

During the vacancy from spring 1952 to August 1953, Pastor G.H. Boehnke served. It was during that time that the church building erected in 1919 was enlarged and remodeled to attain its present outward appearance. Pastor O. W. Juengel, who had helped to organize the congregation, and President A. F. Wegener of the souther Nebraska District, were the speakers at the rededication on March 22, 1953. Theodore J. Klein, from the Seminary in St. Louis, was ordained pastor in August of 1953 and served until September 1956. In 1953 the school was reopened with student Wayne Duchow in charge. It was closed in 1954. Pastor R. H. Brauer, after a four-month vacancy, was installed in January 1957. The 40thg Anniversary of St. Paul's was celebrated on November 23, 1958 with Pastor G. H. Boehnke the speaker. Pastor Brauer accepted a call to Aberdeen, South Dakota, in December 1962, leaving St. Paul's after January 1, 1963.Pastors Boye, Boehnke and Krohn then served St. Paul's during this vacancy. After calling unsuccessfully until July of 1963, it was recommended to hold a joint meeting with Salem of Gurley in an attempt to form a dual parish. August 18, 1963. the proposed "Articles of the Dual Parish" was approved. Pastors who have shepherded this Dual Parish were: Bruce LaKamp, 1968-72; Curt Moermond, 1972-78; Vince Larson, Jr., 1978-82; Dan Jones, 1982-89; Robert Koch, 1990-92; Barry Warpness, 1993-94; Craig Muhlback, 1996-99 and Ted Bourret 2000-present.

St. Paul's had a 100th Anniversary celebration on Oct. 21, 2018 with a morning worship service with Reb. James Mueller, Yankton, S.D., as Lector and Rev. Dr. Ron Garwood, former Wyoming District President, Cody, Wyo., as speaker. The afternoon service was held with Rev. James Mueller as Lector, Rev. John Hill, present Wyoming District President, Casper, Wyo., as Liturgist and Rev. Ted Bourret, current pastor as speaker. Four former pastors were in attendance: Rev. Bruce LaKamp, East Peoria, Ill.; Rev. Dan Jones, Emmett, Idaho; Rev. Robert Koch, Seward and Rev. Craig Muhlbach, Seymour, Ind.

Harold Bergt, Larry Baack, Meta Fiehler, Betty (Fiehler) Wilson, Joan (Buhrdorf) Worthman, Erna (Brauer) Peters, Alice Brauer (missionary in India), James Hilpert, Angela (Miller) Ebel, Greg Miller have served in the parochial school profession in the past. Entering the ministry from our congregation were Rev. George Schubarth and Rev. Leonard Aurich and Rev. James Mueller.

St. Paul's has been following the trend of other rural churches with declining membership. They now have 87 baptized souls and 73 communicant members.