New Lutheran Schoolhouse in Sherdian Twp., 1893

SESSLER, AMSTEIN, EHLERS, SIEVERS

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 12/30/2005 at 00:50:11

I translated the following article from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published on 27 October 1893. Any information in brackets or notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Sheridan Township
The missionary festival and the dedication of the new school in Sheridan Township last Sunday was accompanied by good weather. It was a splendid fall day which enticed visitors from all parts of the county and even from neighboring counties.

There was a large delegation from Carroll, as well as from Breda, Kniest Township, Grant Township, and visitors even arrived from Auburn to take part in the celebration and, through their appearance, to express their happiness over the missionary festival and over the flourishing of the parish. Already by early morning, the pretty little church was unable to hold all the visitors, and many people had to be content with a seat outside the church. At 10:30 a.m., the celebration church service commenced, wherein Mr. Pastor R. Amstein from Anowa [probably Onawa] delivered the sermon. He captivated his listeners from beginning to end, and his manner of elocution was quite pure and clearly understandable. In the afternoon, the church service began at 2:30, wherein Pastor Anton Ehlers from Gray gave the sermon, and then followed the solemn dedication of the pretty schoolhouse. Preceded by the Rev. Pastors, the church directors, and the building committee, those present went to the new school, where Pastor Ehlers performed the dedication amid prayers and songs. The celebration ended inside the school with prayer and communal singing, after which those present exchanged yet a few friendly words, and then everyone went home with the experience of having attended a most beautiful and uplifting celebration.

Pastor Sessler deserves recognition for having so beautifully arranged the celebration and for the exalting presence of Pastors Amstein and Ehlers. Pastor Sessler is undoubtedly a worthy man, who through years of striving has made the Evangelical Lutheran Parish in Sheridan Township what it is today—a strong and flourishing parish that possesses a beautiful and tidy church and a church school. The parish members, therefore, are also very attached to their pastor, and the best proof of the mutual love and respect in the parish is the progress it is currently making.

We are especially obligated to thank Mr. Jac. Sievers and family for the friendly invitation to the noon meal and for the very noble hospitality. Gladly and often will think back on that beautiful celebration and the friendly residents of Sheridan Township.