# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1947_S136
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

184 SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES

disturbances in the midst of our congregations (severe laws of
nationalization, imprisonment of 23 pastors, burning of libraries,
destruction of a church, banning services in any foreign language,
and prohibiting all services in private homes) our work in gen-
eral-and especially our work at the Seminary did not suffer es-
sentially. The political police did not even think it necessary to
pay our Seminary one single visit. Thus the years passed: our
student body increased; the language of the country became the
Umgangssprache of the students; the nationalization of our church
work made big strides forward. This will, in many respects, be
a blessing for our work.

Historical Retrospect
To give the Delegates at Synod a little idea of our work, a few

historical facts may not be out of order.
1903 Foundation of our Institute in Bom Jesus (Rev. Hartmeister)
1907 Reopening of the Seminary in Porto Alegre.
1912 Dedication of a proper building. Synodical Institute.
1921 Moving the Seminary to the present beautiful location on the

Monte Serrat of Porto Alegre.
1926 First new construction at the new place.
1943 Erection of second wing to building and a special chapel.
1946 Construction of second big building begun (classrooms, dor-

mitories, library, laboratory).

Up to now 110 pastors and teachers graduated from our school,
who are now serving in seven states of Brazil, in Argentine, and in
Germany. One student, Dr. Alexander Heidel, finished his studies
up to the last year and then finished in St. Louis, being now pro-
fessor at the Chicago University.

Admission of New Students

In the beginning, once in every three years. From 1927 till
1946, every other year. 1947, every year.

The enrollment of the year 1947 is the following: Seminary
Department (3 years): Middle class: 12 (9 vicars); Upper
class: 5; a total of 17. Pretheological Department (6 years):
High School, Freshmen: 31; Sophomores: 21; Seniors: 15;
College, Sophomores: 15; a total of 82.

Course of Study
In the beginning, six years (3 in Proseminary and 3 in Sem-
inary). From 1927 on, six years in the Pretheological Department
and three years in the Seminary Department.
1, Request: Our Local Board of Control kindly petitions Synod
to add another year to our curriculum, so that in future our whole