# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1954_S144
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

144 Proceedings of the Forty-Third Convention,

Holy Cross, Shreveport, La.

The interesting history of our Shreveport mission is exten-
sively recorded in the official report of the last Synodical con-
vention of two years ago at St. Paul, Minn. To save time and space,
we shall refrain from repeating it here and now. Suffice it to
say that a funeral home was bought for the sum of $7,000 in
a fine location and converted into a chapel at an additional cost
of $3,000. The second floor affords enough room for a parsonage.
On the first floor enough space is available to accommodate a day
school and house the Sunday school.

The congregation is still small and has not shown much growth
in the past two years. Rev. Arthur Jackson, graduate of our
Immanuel College, is in charge of the mission since August, 1952.
His last report seems to indicate that the ice is breaking and
that he is making some headway in gaining new members. God
alone “can give the increase.” But there is also the human ele-
ment, that not every preacher is a born missionary. It takes time
and experience to develop a young man into an aggressive house-
going seeker after lost souls. Rev. C. P. Thompson, from not so
far-away Mansura, La. has volunteered to help the young
brother off and on and put him through the paces of canvassing
and house-to-house calls. Some improvements have been noted
since. May God grant that at the next meeting of the Synodical
Conference (there must be one, and, under God, there will be)
a greater progress in the new mission will be recorded.

G. M. Kramer
Augustana, Alexandria, La.

Augustana Congregation, organized in 1923, has not had a phe-
nomenal growth, but by God’s gracious guidance we have had
a steady growth from year to year. During this period of time

wise. The congregation numbers 135 souls, 64 communicants, and
16 voters.

Since we last reported to the Synodical Conference two years
ago, God has given us an increase in church, Sunday school, and
day school. Thirteen children were baptized, ten children were
confirmed, and four adults were received into the Church by
confirmation.

Our congregation has resolved to purchase its church building
from the Missionary Board and everyone is working with a fine
spirit to accomplish this venture. We have not stopped making
the many necessary repairs. During the last two years we have

the interior at a cost of nearly $600.

Our day school, with an enrollment of 76 children, shows
an increase of 26 in the last two years. These children are taught
by two teachers, Miss Hazel Harris, who has charge of the upper
grades, and Mrs. S. B. Berger, who takes care of the primary
and kindergarten department. We saw the need of a kinder-
garten here in order to hold our children with us. Many who
begin here remain with us and become members of our church.