# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1924_S44
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

44 Proceedings of the twenty-ninth convention

so many boys go into church service as from this congregation near Mansura. — The number of souls has fallen in these two years from 126 to 86, and the number of communicant members from 75 to 50. As a result of repeated crop failures many have moved away, but only to places where there is a Lutheran Negro congregation. Most have moved to the city of Alexandria (32 miles away) and have founded a congregation there. The repeated crop failures also had the effect that contributions have become smaller. In the summer of 1923 the members rented six acres of land and planted it with cotton. Men, women and children did the work. The proceeds of the cotton went into the congregation's treasury. — In October 1923 the congregation lost by death one of its oldest members, Scott Normand. He was one of the founders of the congregation and a faithful, active member. Many of our missionaries have enjoyed hospitality at his home. — This fall the church and parsonage must be painted. The members are willing to do the painting; but under the circumstances we must supply the material. — The school is conducted by the pastor. Of course every member of the congregation sends his children to the Lutheran school. The young people are the future of the church. Little growth from outside can be counted on. Near Mansura almost everyone belongs to a church.

10. Augustana, Alexandria, La. (Founded in June 1923. Missionary: Wilfred J. Tervalon.) This is, as mentioned, a daughter of the congregation near Mansura. Souls: 34. In September 1923 a mission school was opened and Teacher Irene Anderson of New Orleans was appointed. The enrollment rose to 59. Although the school (like the church) was held in an old, wretched corner store, it won a very good reputation in a short time and contributed much to making our mission known. Missionary Tervalon preaches every Sunday evening. The services are attended on average by 15 adults and 13 children. Among them there are always strangers as well. At present the missionary is instructing five children and one adult and preparing them for confirmation. P. C. G. Gernannt, pastor of the white congregation in Alexandria, who has shown and still shows a great and active interest in our mission there, like Missionary Tervalon regards Alexandria, with its 8,000 Negroes, as a very promising mission field. What the station lacks is a modest but suitable home. That vacant corner store is an old board shack. The floor is the most undulating floor I have ever walked on. The teacher has papered the walls with copies of the Alexandria Item. If the promising mission work is to prosper, we must buy a building site and erect a suitable building on it. About $5,000 will probably be needed for this. A special missionary should also be settled there. — The total number of souls in the Louisiana field is 1,110.

North Carolina.

In North Carolina is our second-oldest mission field. Work was begun here in the year 1891 at Concord. More about this may be read in "Unsere Negermission in Wort und Bild" [Our Negro Mission in Word and Picture]. (Available from Rev. Theo. Walther, 6402 Easton Ave., St. Louis, Mo. Price: 25 cents.) When the work here was begun in September 1891,