The History of Redeemer Lutheran Church
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod traces its origin to 750 Saxon immigrants who came to Missouri in 1839 seeking freedom from religious rationalism in Germany. Under the leadership of a young pastor named C.F.W. Walther, these German immigrants joined together with a number of pastors sent to America to form "The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States." Until April of 1847, there were twenty-two pastors of which 4 1ived in Missouri, 6 in Ohio, 5 in Indiana, 3 in Illinois, 2 in Michigan, and 2 in New York. There were twelve original congregations which formed the Missouri Synod. One hundred years later in 1947 the Synod officially changed its name to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
The history of Redeemer Lutheran Church begins with the merger of St. John Lutheran Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church in the Convoy area. Both churches were members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. In 1847, the St. John Congregation was established as a preaching station in Van Wert County, Ohio southwest of Convoy. This new congregation cooperated closely with the parishes of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Ohio City, Ohio and Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, Ohio. The dedication of their first church building was July 24, 1866. In 1868, the parish was divided with St. Thomas and St. John sharing a pastor until 1882. At that time St. John called a pastor to serve at their parish exclusively.
A Convoy businessman and a member of St. John congregation, John Muntzinger, held a patent for a washing machine which he intended to manufacture. He bought an old church building to use as a factory. Rather, he and other members of St. John, living in Convoy, decided to use it for worship services. Thereupon, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Convoy, Ohio, was organized in 1914. Pastor T. Zock, pastor at St. John, served the new congregation in town. Later, the pastors from Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Van Wert, Ohio served the young congregation.
In 1897, a group of Lutherans, east of Convoy, established a congregation, Zion Lutheran Church; however, in 1919 lightning struck the church, causing extensive damage. The church was abandoned in 1921, with most of the members joining St. Paul in Convoy, and becoming influential and active members.
In the Children's Christmas Eve Service, December 24, 1935, a two manual Reuter Pipe Organ was dedicated at St. John congregation. Later, it would be moved to the new Redeemer Lutheran congregation. Some of the pipes from this original organ were used in the new organ installed in 1988 at Redeemer by the Lima Pipe Organ Company.
To continue the history - in 1946, as Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Van Wert, Ohio needed the services of a full time pastor, St. Paul congregation called their own pastor. The first pastor was Rev. Karl Trautman.
In April of 1953, Pastor Klausmeier accepted a call, leaving St. John congregation. Rev. Francis Gerken, of St. Paul congregation served as Vacancy Pastor and later accepted the call to serve St. John as well as St. Paul, as pastor in 1954.
Over the course of time, suggestions were made to consolidate St. John and St. Paul into one congregation for stewardship reasons, as they were located so close together. In 1958, a joint committee was formed to discuss the feasibility of a merger. In 1959, a report favorable to merge was presented, which was adopted two months later. This merger of St. Paul and St. John congregations became official at a special service of worship conducted at the Convoy High School on April 30, 1960.
In January 1960, the joint planning committee was authorized to engage an architect to plan the new building. Also a resolution stated that a two-thirds majority of the members present must vote favorable in regards to the building of the new church. In October 1960, sites for the new church were chosen. A resolution to build on the Merrit Smiley farm was defeated, as well as the proposal to purchase a site on the north of the Arthur Schumm farm. The proposal for the site south of the Arthur Schumm farm passed by a vote of 46 to 20.
Rev. Frances Gerken breaks ground for
Redeemer Lutheran Church with the Building Committee
and congregation looking on.
The first architect, hired by the committee drew up plans not acceptable to the congregation. A second architect, Frederick Stritzel, was then engaged, with the plans being acceptable. The ground breaking for the new edifice was held on April 14, 1963, with the cornerstone laying on June 16, 1963. On April 12, 1964, Rev. Frances Gerken performing the Rite of Dedication, as well as preaching the Dedicatory sermon. Rev. Oliver Harms, President of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, delivered the sermon in the afternoon service of praise and thanksgiving.
The parsonage next to the church was constructed during the planning of the church building in 1963. In April 1980, an addition to the parsonage was completed.
On May 19, 1968, the congregation approved the installation of the bell tower, using the bell from the St. John building in its completion. The Reverend Kurt Bickel was called to become pastor at Redeemer Lutheran in 1970. He and his wife, Betty arrived from Canada with their five children. He was installed on August 29, 1970. He served the congregation faithfully through and following his retirement in 1992.
In November 23, 1975, an addition to the church was completed and dedicated. This addition enlarged the Narthex, added several rooms and a carport, adding about 1500 square feet to the building. Fanning and Howey Architects drew up the plans.
Redeemer Following the 1975 Addition
Following the retirement of Reverend Bickel in 1992, The Reverend Lee Genter was called to become pastor at Redeemer in the late summer of 1992. He and his wife, Jane arrived from Fayette, Iowa with their three children and were blessed with another child during his stay at Redeemer. He was installed on September 13, 1992. During his pastorate in the summer of 1999, after much prayer, planning and with vision of "To God Be To Glory", Redeemer began a building project to further the kingdom of God. Reverend Genter served the congregation faithfully until accepting a call to Napoleon, Ohio in June of 2002.
The architectural firm of Garmann-Miller Associate of Minster, Ohio submitted plans that would complement the existing structure. This building project would add a ground level fellowship hall, larger kitchen and additional class rooms, continued until the new portion was dedicated on September 15, 2002. The Reverend Timothy R. Puls, Dean of Students at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, preaching the Dedicatory sermon.
Redeemer Following the 2002 Fellowship Hall Addition
The Reverend Michael Saylor was called to become pastor at Redeemer Lutheran in December 2002, and was installed on January 12, 2003. He and his wife, Laura arrived from Ida Grove, Iowa with their six children and were blessed with one more child was just recently, Redeemer is now opening a new chapter in the history of Redeemer Lutheran Church.
As we have reviewed the history of our congregation and its various building projects, we are thankful to the Lord that we are able to worship, learn and have fellowship in such a beautiful and adequate facility, and blessing us with gifted pastors over the years. The Psalmist writes, "worship in the beauty of holiness." The primary purpose of these structures is that we might grow in the "beauty of holiness". Here the power of the Spirit fills our hearts that we may be faithful in prayer, love, and service to one another and encourage all whom we meet to join us in furthering God's Kingdom.
Contributions by:
Mr. Durbin Hertz
Mrs. Marilyn Waldron