# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1911_S237
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 23 —

could only take place on October 1. We were finally obliged to
obtain a new deed from the original owner.

On June 26, 1908, the school year at Hawthorne was closed with
suitable formalities, and the first graduating class trained at this
gymnasium was sent out. With this farewell celebration our right
of residence at Hawthorne came to an end. On our inquiry we
received from St. Matthew's and from St. Luke's congregation in
New York the kind permission to set ourselves up as we saw fit,
with our students, in rooms they placed freely at our disposal.
Through the kindness of these two congregations we were spared
expenses for rent, fuel, and light. The three upper classes were
assigned to St. Matthew's Church, the three lower ones to St. Luke's
Church. Just as quickly the other knot was untied: where to put the
teachers? Professors Stein, Schmidtke, and Schwoy decided — to
spare the Synod expense — to remain in Hawthorne for the time
being. Prof. Heinze moved to Mount Vernon, and for Director Feth
and Prof. Heinrichsmeyer suitable lodgings were found in New York.
Housing the students caused greater difficulty, since living quarters
in New York are extremely limited; but we finally found the
necessary lodging for all of them. With 89 students the school year
opened on September 8, 1908, and instruction was carried on
without any notable interruption until the end of June 1909.
Although the conditions under which teachers and students worked
were not the best conceivable, things nevertheless went better than
we had imagined they would.

Construction of the new building began on February 23, 1909.
Three buildings — a classroom building, a dormitory, and a service
building — were undertaken. Under God's protecting hand of
blessing, the construction progressed in the following months, so
that we were able, already on November 21, 1909, to dedicate them
to the service of the triune God as a monument worthy of Lutheran
faith and Lutheran love. Our fellow believers streamed in from far
and near to rejoice over the completion of this school, so promising
for the building up of our Lutheran Zion on the Atlantic coast. Gone
on that day of jubilation were the north winds and dark clouds
which, two days before, had covered hill and valley with a blanket
of snow and ice and which set in again with their full unpleasantness
on November 23. The breezes blew soft and mild, the day was
bright and warm, so that quite spontaneously everyone praised the
goodness of God for granting us, in this otherwise so harsh season,
such extraordinarily fine weather. The dedication service was a
heart-lifting worship service that kindled fresh love in all present for
our dear church, and it will remain unforgettable to those who took
part.

After weighing the pros and cons on all sides, the board of
control had resolved to continue instruction in New York until the
Christmas