# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1920_S29
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1920. 29

be expected in this city with a Negro population that probably exceeds 100,000, unless we buy a chapel of our own. That would cost more than $20,000. So our hands are for the time being tied. Another circumstance, which we cannot mention here, likewise called for waiting.

Richmond, Va. Work was suspended here for a time. Missionary Fuller now preaches again once a month in a private house. In the same house Mrs. Walter Wall keeps school. She is supported by us with $15 a month.

Philadelphia, Pa. Since 1918 city missionary E. Polzin has been serving 18 souls with Word and Sacrament. These 18 colored Lutherans come mostly from our Bethlehem congregation in New Orleans. The services are held in a private house.

Yonkers, N. Y. (Missionary W. O. Hill.) Through the great kindness of the congregation of Pastor A. v. Schlichten our Bethany congregation may still assemble in the Parish House. The members have gathered a building fund and then in June 1920 bought a building lot 72×85 feet for $1800. In regard to contributions to the church Bethany stands first. It is also otherwise probably a model congregation. Souls 68; communicants 52. The members come mostly from Meherrin, Va.

Brooklyn, N. Y. In the neighborhood of our rented premises many Negroes from the West Indies live. Missionary Hill thinks it is a promising field here, to which he unfortunately cannot devote the necessary time and strength. He has been asking for help for some time already. Without doubt Brooklyn is one of the northern cities in which vigorous work ought to be done.

Little Rock, Ark. Here is our first and oldest station. But it will probably soon belong to things that have been, unless a missionary is appointed again. Emigration and death have taken away almost all the members. Only two families are left. Pastor Ad. Poppe of the white congregation can scarcely give them regularly even the most necessary ministration. Little Rock is without doubt a mission field.

St. Louis, Mo. The growth of the local congregation, which began already under Missionary G. A. Schmidt before his transfer to Alabama, continues under Missionary H. C. Claus. The number of souls has risen from 40 to 76 and the number of communicants from 18 to 38. The chapel fund has reached the sum of $6176. Besides this the Women's Association for the Negro Mission, which is composed of women of the white congregations in St. Louis, has collected about $1500 for a chapel. Building lot and chapel will probably cost $20,000. Last autumn we were able to rent two rooms in the old Immanuel school at $15 a month. So some 100 children could be taken into the school. And the services have also since been