History of Concordia UCC
Early Beginnings (1840-1844)
Following the period from 1840 to 1844, after emigrants of South Germany had sufficiently colonized the district within which the church was later built, and had repeatedly felt the need for the public worship of God, residents of the district who became the founders of the church gathered together to discuss their religious welfare. They considered themselves to be of sufficient means to be self-sustaining and preferred the convenience of a nearby house of worship rather than the long church road to Centerville (now Millstadt). Furthermore, they believed they would, next to God, bring honor to themselves, if they, with one accord, would hold sensible church services, and although they belonged to various church faiths on the other side of the ocean, they forgot these differences and in a lovely Christian spirit built at that time already an inner Concordia.
Using accumulated money from dues, the founders mentioned above made a purchase of land. John Keck, Conrad Vogel, and George P. Fein, as trustees of the Concordia School and Meeting House, purchased one and a half acres from Simon and Martha Teter. The northeast portion of the plot was fenced and used as a cemetery.
Among the forty charter members were:
Using accumulated money from dues, the founders mentioned above made a purchase of land. John Keck, Conrad Vogel, and George P. Fein, as trustees of the Concordia School and Meeting House, purchased one and a half acres from Simon and Martha Teter. The northeast portion of the plot was fenced and used as a cemetery.
Among the forty charter members were:
Adam Haas
Peter Vogt Carl Kraesler Fredrick Keck Daniel Haas Andrew Diesel Jacob Heckel Jacob Huver Jacob Heitz John Philip Wirth |
Jacob Haas
Conrad Keck Peter Ruhmann Michel Mayrod Frederick Vogel George Wagner Heinrich Pfeffer Nicolaus Peter Mrs. Wagner Jacob Hertel |
Henry Mueller
George Bietner Christoff Zaenger Conrad Vogel John Meyer Martin Ammer John Philip Hermann Jacob Sybertz Heinrich Keck Philip Hankammer |
The Original Church (1850)
Just what the nature of the "School and Meeting House" referred to in the original deed might have been, we do not know, but Pastor Hoppe, the first pastor of Concordia, gives an interesting account of the building of the first church structure:
"In the year 1850 there was a renewed desire for their own church structure; so by means of subscriptions in dues the same was erected of brick. At the end of the year it was completed."
Another source indicates the structure was 24x30 feet and its ceiling was 12 feet high. The house served at first for the instruction of the children of the members of the church and was therefore furnished with only the most necessary school equipment which included a high desk for the teacher (the pulpit). Instruction of the school was given by Joseph Sybertz. The congregation had now adopted the name Concordia and urged through its duly elected council members the dedication of the house of worship. The same was done on Pentecost Monday by the guest minister from the German Protestant Church (St. Paul) in Belleville, Jacob Balthaser Hoppe. The employment of a regular pastor depended on two things: 1) the cost of maintaining a pastor and 2) the difficulty of getting pulpit speakers of some choice to come to the country. Thus on June 15, 1851, eight days after the dedication of the church, Pastor Hoppe became pastor of Concordia and gave his first sermon the following week. Following his employment a pulpit, an altar, chairs, pulpit clothes, silver chalices, plates, and a filler were all purchased for the use in the service. During his first year of service, Pastor Hoppe conducted five baptisms, one marriage, and three funerals.
Desiring to set in writing a purpose, plan and method of conducting the affairs of the church, Pastor Hoppe composed a constitution and submitted it to the congregation, which gave its approval. This constitution made official the church name, German Evangelical Concordia Church (Deutsche Evangelische Kirche), and the provision that the congregation would not affiliate itself with any synod in America.
"In the year 1850 there was a renewed desire for their own church structure; so by means of subscriptions in dues the same was erected of brick. At the end of the year it was completed."
Another source indicates the structure was 24x30 feet and its ceiling was 12 feet high. The house served at first for the instruction of the children of the members of the church and was therefore furnished with only the most necessary school equipment which included a high desk for the teacher (the pulpit). Instruction of the school was given by Joseph Sybertz. The congregation had now adopted the name Concordia and urged through its duly elected council members the dedication of the house of worship. The same was done on Pentecost Monday by the guest minister from the German Protestant Church (St. Paul) in Belleville, Jacob Balthaser Hoppe. The employment of a regular pastor depended on two things: 1) the cost of maintaining a pastor and 2) the difficulty of getting pulpit speakers of some choice to come to the country. Thus on June 15, 1851, eight days after the dedication of the church, Pastor Hoppe became pastor of Concordia and gave his first sermon the following week. Following his employment a pulpit, an altar, chairs, pulpit clothes, silver chalices, plates, and a filler were all purchased for the use in the service. During his first year of service, Pastor Hoppe conducted five baptisms, one marriage, and three funerals.
Desiring to set in writing a purpose, plan and method of conducting the affairs of the church, Pastor Hoppe composed a constitution and submitted it to the congregation, which gave its approval. This constitution made official the church name, German Evangelical Concordia Church (Deutsche Evangelische Kirche), and the provision that the congregation would not affiliate itself with any synod in America.