Within the little church building that stands at the
corner of High and Prairie Streets in Lanark has been
written one hundred years of history. No one will ever
know of all the love, labor, and devotion that were
given for the growth and even the continuance of this
little church. For no records could be kept to tell us of
those faithful few who labored with such faith and
sacrifice to keep the church going and growing. One
hundred years were completed on December 30, 1974.
The Lutheran Church of Lanark was the outgrowth
of the church at Maple Grove four miles east of
Lanark. This little congregation of eight was
organized March 16, 1873 and held their church
services in the Maple Grove school house. Reverend J.
W. Henderson was the minister at Maple Grove, and
it was he who first saw the need for a sister
congregation in Lanark and so commenced preaching
here. On December 30, 1874, he, with the aid of
Reverned P. G. Bell of Polo, organized the Lutheran
Church in Lanark. They met in the Congregational
Church, the site now occupied by the First Brethren.
Twenty persons subscribed their names to the Articles
of the Constitution. These charter members were
David and Susan Lower, Jeremiah Slick, Philip and
William Schadt, Sarah Flaut, Mrs. Hailer, Mary
Rosenstinger, Anna Speicher, Samuel and Mrs.
Hassinger, Conrad and Sabina Diehl, Carl and
Christina Schoen, George P. and Margaretta Dorr,
Sophia Willis, Jane L. Henderson, and Catherine
Lower McCoy. The church was to be known as
Evangelical Lutheran Church. After the adoption of
the constitution the following were elected to fill the
offices of elder, deacon, and trustee: Carl Schoen,
elder; Jeremiah Slick and Samuel Hassinger, deacons;
Conrad Diehl and William Schadt, trustees. (From the
original records)
In the fall of 1876, during Reverend Henderson's
pastorate, a new church building was erected. The new
church was dedicated January 28, 1877. According to
an old Gazette of that week-quote, "We find the day of
the dedication the weather was clear and beautiful,
most people attending in sleighs. Three hundred
persons crowded the church to listen to sermons by
Reverend L. L. Lipe, president of Northwest Synod,
and Reverend Flickinger of Mount Carroll, along with
Reverend Henderson. The former preached an
eloquent sermon reviewing the hardships experienced
in keeping the band together since its inception. The
church and two lots cost about $2,000. Of the above
amount David Lowman contributed the first $1,000.
and it is needless to say that this amount was quickly
raised by the large crowd present. The ceiling was
blue, the walls pink, while the woodwork was of black
oak and maple. Overhead were two handsome
chandeliers containing four burners each giving the
Lutherans a very beautiful temple in which to
worship." (End quote) The first persons baptized in
this church were George H. Weed and John Slick on
February 4, 1877. On this day they took their church
vows. One of the early marriages recorded December
12, 1878 was that of Mr. George Peters and Miss Mary
Deibler. Mrs. Mary Peters, one of Lanark's
centenarians, lived to be one hundred-two.
A parsonage was built just south of the church in
1878, during the term of Rev. D.H. Shultz, at a cost of
about $1,000. Rev. Shuitz felt the need for preparatory services
for communion. These were held on the preceding
Friday or Saturday afternoon. Through the efforts of
Rev. Shultz the Maple Grove and Lanark congregations were consolidated and Maple Grove members
were received April 13, 1879. Those staunch early
settlers were: David J. and Sarah Lowman, Scott D.
and Lizzie Nichol Lowman, Miss Mary (Molly)
Lowman, John V. and Rosalie Cotta, and Jacob
Grossman. Jacob Grossman served faithfully as
Sunday School superintendent for more than twenty
years. Mrs. Shultz, the minister's wife, organized the
first woman's aid society called the Mite Society,
which later was known as the Ladies Guild. The
Ladies Guild remained active until 1957.
Ministers who served the church during its first
twenty-five years were: J.W. Henderson, D.H. Shultz,
W.T. Bachtell, J.A. Beidler, J.K. Reed, Josiah Kuhn,
and J.W. Thomas. Pastors Bachtell and Beidler were
paid $360 and $400 respectively, per annum, payable
quarterly. The church sexton received $17 per annum
for his work. J.K. Reed, a theological student who
spent part of the summer of 1890 in Lanark, together
with Miss Estella White organized the Young Peoples'
Society of Christian Endeavor. During the years that
followed there were young peoples' organizations
including The Light Brigade and the Luther League.
Rev. Josiah Kuhn's wife organized a Missionary
Society that prospered for many years.
From 1899 to May 1924 ministers called to serve
were: M. Colver, George Bollinger, E. F. Ott, Max
Herring, J. F. Sponseller, C. W. Wachter, H. C.
Summers, and H. C. Haithcox.
As early as 1898 women served on the church
council. Mrs.John H. Lafferty was the first deaconess.
The names of Mrs. Anna Sprecher Weed, Mrs. Mary
Lowman Courts, and Mrs. Nettie L. Sipe appear on
1900's. Not until 1951 were women again elected to
serve on the church council. On April 12, 1903 five
young people were confirmed - Minnie Schultz, Ina
Schultz, Fannie Muffle Miller, Irma Albertine
Lambert, and Pearl Zullinger. This is believed to be
the first class of confirmans.
It was during the ministry of Reverend Ott in April
1905, that the work of enlarging the church was
begun. This involved digging a basement, turning the
church, and adding the belfry, vestibule, and Sunday
School room. The dedication for the new auditions was
held September 25, 1905 at the start of Reverend Max
Herring's ministry. A pulpit, handmade by Reverend
Ott and Mr. Scott D. Lowman, is still used in the
children's Sunday School service. The hope of having
a church bell was not realized until 1921, when the
children of Conrad and Sabina Diehi gave the bell in
memory of their parents.
The Reverend H. C. Haithcox, D. D. served as
supply minister for several months during 1914 and
then became our regular pastor November 1, 1915.
When his eyesight failed him in 1916 at the age of
seventy-three, it was through the untiring efforts and
devotion of Mrs. Haithcox and his daughter that this
saintly man was able to continue his work so long and
so well. Church membership had increased which
called for another face lifting of the building. The work
began in 1916 when twelve feet were added to the
south end of the structure. Pastor Haithcox instructed
the secretary of the council to find out why the name
"English Lutheran Church" appears in the stained
glass window over the entrance. No record could be
found. One possible explanation might be that the
window was the gift of another church at the time the
building was turned in 1905. It was on June 16, 1922
that the congregation honored Pastor Haithcox on the
50th anniversary of his ordination. Following his
retirement November 1, 1923, they again honored him
by making him Pastor Emeritus. Doctor Haithcox
continued to supply until May 25, 1924.
The next twenty-five years (1924-1949) we were
served by the Reverends Paul A. J. Buelow, Maurice
E. Lesher, W. E. Kaitschuk, Luther C. Mueller,
Walter E. Koepf, T. B. Hersch, William West, and
David H. Melbye.
In December 1924 the church observed its golden
anniversary. Mrs. George H. Weed, who had been a
member for forty-eight years, wrote the church
history. Hannah Leah Weed was the daughter of
David and Susan Lower. The first Daily Vacation
Bible School to be organized was in 1925 under the
direction of Mrs. Agnes Peebles. On January 10, 1929
a new constitution was adopted and the church
incorporated under the name "Trinity Evangelical
From Trinity has come one minister and one
missionary's wife. The influence of Reverend Koepf
and some Sunday School teachers was a deciding
factor when Robert Crofton chose to enter the
ministry. He was ordained in 1953. Another member
of the Crofton family, Marion Crofton Rasmussen and
her husband, Reverend Peter Rasmussen, began their
work as missionaries in Japan in 1954. They live in
Kyoto.
On April 30, 1947, a Hammond Electric Organ was
bought and dedicated to the memory of sixteen of our
church members. Trinity celebrated its 75th anniversary on November 27, 1949. It was Reverend David H.
Melbye who was instrumental in organizing the Altar
Guild in 1951, composed of six members whose duties
are to care for flowers and candles, paraments, and
sacraments. Reverend Melbye remained here until
November 2, 1952.
For almost another year we were without a regular
pastor, but we carried on the Lord's work with the
help of Maywood Seminary students until Reverend
Milton Engelhardt arrived November 1, 1953.
Reverend Engelhardt ministered to us for eight years.
He was followed by Pastor Dick Hanson, Reverend
John C. Heidbreder, Reverend Paul W. Anhalt, and
Pastor Paul R. Buettner. The addition of a new church
office in 1964 was greatly appreciated. A basic change
in the congregation took place in October 1968. After a
three months trial period of sharing Pastor Paul
Anhalt of Faith Lutheran, Forreston, the congregations were realigned into a two church parish. Since
January 14, 1973, Pastor Paul R. Buettner has served
Faith Lutheran and Trinity. The year 1974 brought
about another change when it was voted and approved
to allow baptized members age ten or 5th grade to
receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion with the
consent and cooperation of their parents and following
a brief period of instruction. Regular confirmation
classes will be continued.
Above all 1974 was the year Trinity observed its
100th birthday. The celebration began April 28 with
an old fashioned hymn-sing and refreshments served
by kerosene lamp light. May featured a Mother-Daughter banquet and a Centennial style show, and
the narration of Trinity's history. Guest Pastors' Day
was held on July 21 with a happy reunion with the
following former ministers in attendance: Reverends
Mueller, West, Hanson, Anhalt, Dr. K. E. Irwin,
Rasmussen, and Mr. Gary Swenson. Unable to be
present were Reverends Lesher, Melbye, Engelhardt,
and Heidbreder. A Centennial Tea was held August 8,
honoring Peter and Marion Rasmussen who with their
family were home on leave from their mission field in
Japan.
Sunday Decmeber 15, 1974 concluded the 100th ----
President of the Illinois Synod was guest speaker at the morning worship service.
There have been many dedicated Sunday School teachers, superintendents, choir directors, organists, and others lay people, both young and old, who have contributed greatly to the work of our church. Without these faithful wrokers thorughout these one hundred years, it is doubtful that the church could hve survived. But the past is gone and can't be recalled, the future is before us, the present only ours. Let us strive to make the future a glorious chapter for future generations.
