# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S87
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1950 87

property of Redeemer Lutheran Church was sold. They then held
services in the Bourgard College of Music.

From 1940 until 1948 the group struggled along. At times it was
felt that the mission should be discontinued because numerous
attempts were made without success to get a resident pastor, and
Pastor Eberhard found it almost impossible to continue serving
because of pressing duties at his own congregation.

Finally in 1948, after fourteen years, a resident pastor was
called. The Rev. George Williston was installed on March 7, 1949.
The congregation immediately began to show new life. The Louis-
ville Federation purchased a lot at 39th and Greenwood Ave.,
142 x 218, on September 30. They appealed to the Lutheran Women’s
Missionary League and received a grant of $5,000. A loan of $12,000
was received from the Missionary Board and $3,500 from the Church
Extension Board. A building permit was granted on February 1,
1949, and construction of the chapel and parsonage was started
on February 19, 1949. The chapel and parsonage were dedicated
on May 8, 1949. The property is valued at $25,000 and consists of
a chapel seating forty persons and a modern three-room parsonage.

The prospects for growth are excellent. St.James Church is
located in the “fringe” area. The congregation now numbers
13 communicants and 22 souls. The Sunday school attendance
ranges from 5 to 20 and would be much greater if the church had
a resident. pastor who could devote all of his time to the work.

Pastor George Williston resigned from the ministry in March
of 1950, and since that time the congregation is again without
a resident pastor. The foremost need of the congregation is a con-
secrated shepherd who will lead and guide and preach the Gospel
to these souls in this corner of the Lord’s vineyard.

St. Philip’s, Toledo, Ohio
The Rev. H. E. Pranschke, Pastor

The first work among the Negroes of Toledo was started by
the Toledo Mission Board in 1938. Rev. Kiess, retired, was asked
to explore the field and begin services. About six months later
Candidate Steinbauer was called to take over the work. Pastor
Steinbauer confirmed the first classes and baptized the first children
and six years later was called to another field: In the interim the
field was served for short periods by Students Koelpin and Steiner.
In 1945 the present pastor was called into the field. The following
September a Christian day school was started with 24 children,
the pastor being the teacher. During the last two years he has
been assisted by a lady teacher. A suitable place of worship was
procured in 1941—1942 with the purchase of a portable building,
which was placed on two lots.

The present membership is: Baptized souls, 175; communicant
members, 81; children in school, 72; Sunday school enrollment, 97.

We occupy a portable frame building of about 30X60 feet,
with full basement situated on two lots, each 30120 feet on the
corner of Indiana and Elizabeth Sts. The parsonage is owned by
the Synodical Conference Missionary Board and is located about
five miles from the church, directly across town. We sorely need
a more suitable place of worship to accommodate more than the
present structure, which seats about 85. We also should have