WORLD WAR...AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION

Christmas was an exciting time ….especially Christmas Eve. Children were almost too excited to eat supper. Everyone of Sunday School age was a part of the church Christmas program, and had a piece to speak. In the early years, German Christmas Carols were sung, and sometime after World War I songs were sung in English. Nearly every year the church was filled to capacity for the program. After the program sacks of candy, fruit and nuts were passed out to everyone. Everyone came by horse and buggy or bob sled, there were no cars yet.

It was a tradition in many families, for the children and grandchildren to go to the home of the grandparents after the Christmas program. A Christmas tree with real candles was often lit in the home on this night. Songs would be sung, and gifts sometimes exchanged, games were played, and of course there were refreshments. 

When folks went to town or church in the winter with horse and buggy, or bobsled, the horses had to stand outside. The horse would be tied to a hitching post, and a horse blanket was put over the back of the horse. It hung down on each side and was fastened with buckles under the neck and beneath the belly. A BIG safety pin was used to fasten it to the harness in back by the tail. When the people were ready to go home, the blanket was taken off and used over the lap of the passengers to keep them warm on the ride home. 

From 1900 to 1903, the German Baptist Church was pastored by Rev. E. C. Janzen. His autobiography gives the following record of his ministry: “The meetings were always well attended by the members as well as by friends, so that not only the main audience room was well filled, but often a number of persons were seated in the prayer meeting room. It pleased God to convert a number while I was pastor.” The mission at Hubbard was discontinued during this time. 

Failing health brought Rev. Janzen’s ministry to a close, and he was followed by Rev. H. Dallman, who served the church for a second time from February 1904 to October 1906. He in turn was followed by Rev.E.C. Janzen who also served a second time, this time as an interim pastor, from October 1906 to January 1908. 

From January 1908 to June 1910, Rev. A. Stern served as pastor. 

Following Rev. Stern two seminary students served as student pastors for two summers, Brother Hemmes during the summer of 1911 and Brother O. Olthoff during the summer of 1912. During this more than two year period when the church was without a full time resident pastor, Brother Dick DeVries served as church moderator and rendered a noble service. 

In September 1912, Rev. Hans Steiger came as pastor and served until December of 1915. Following Brother Steiger came Rev. A. G. Lang as pastor who rendered a ministry which extended to January 1922. These were the trying years of the First World War, yet the church experienced a real revival. Eighty-eight baptisms were recorded for this period. The church building was remodeled with a large wing on the west being added. About 1918 the language used in Sunday School was changed from German to English, but the preaching messages continued in German. 

Rev. G.A. Waldvogel succeeded Rev. Lang as pastor, from August 1922 to August 1928. In 1929 a new brick parsonage was erected for a cost of about $7000. 

Successor to Rev. Waldvogel was Rev. Carl Swyter who served as pastor from January 1929 to November 1936. Another fruitful chapter was written in the churches history during this time, with 50 new members being baptized. 

From December 1936 to December 1940, Rev. H. Palfenier served as pastor. A new south addition was built on the church providing Sunday School facilities, and a young people’s room. A new heating plant was installed and major changes were made to the basement. 

Following an interim pastorate served by Rev. Gerhardt Friedrichs during the summer of 1941, Rev. Howard Johnson came as pastor in October of 1941, and served for 10 years, bringing a fruitful ministry to a close in April of 1951. 

Steamboat Rock’s first Presbyterian Church had closed in the 1890’s. 

On March 28, 1915, Rev. A.C. Kruse, Home Missionary in the Synod of the West (German) from Dubuque, Iowa came to Eldora to see if the Presbyterian Church there could be revived. He did not find it practical to hold a service there, so he came to Steamboat Rock, on the morning train. 

He visited the Congregational Church and was invited to preach there. By request of a number of families he held German Services on Sunday afternoons. Several were interested in starting a German Presbyterian Church, On November 1, 1915 organization was completed with nineteen charter members. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church which once had flourished in Steamboat Rock, closed in 1912. The Presbyterian’s purchased property of the Methodist Church from the Methodist Conference for $2800.00.

The church was served by neighboring ministers until the Rev. Dirk H. Middents was installed as the first pastor in the spring of 1917. He served until September 24, 1918. 

Rev. A.C. Kruse was then called and he served until 1929. 

He was followed by Rev. Emil Holtzhauser who in turn was followed by the Rev. Ferdinand Zissler who retired in 1940 leaving the church without a regular pastor until the fall of 1941 when the Rev. A. C. Kruse returned to serve until the spring of 1947 when he retired from active ministry. 

A group of interested church members bought the Congregational Church building which had been originally built as a Presbyterian Church, with the idea of remodeling it and using it. This project was delayed by World War II due to a lack of building material.