# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1954_S169
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Ev. Luth, Synodical Conference ‘of North America, 1954 169

The Negro population in St. Louis is increasing and moving
‘into areas where heretofore they were sparsely represented or not
at all. As a result four of our white congregations now find them-
selves in areas where Negro people are increasing considerably,
Meetings have been held with the pastors and lay representatives
of these congregations for the purpose of discussing the problem

more new Negro missions.

The Western District has not yet been able to assume full
financial responsibility for all of the Negro missions within its ter-
ritory. In fact, it has been obliged to request more financial help
than it received in the beginning. This was made necessary, on
the one hand, by needed Salary increases of the teachers of the
Lutheran Co-operative School, by annual deficits in the school’s
current fund and, on the other hand, by the decreased enrollment
and loss of tuition.

The Western District last year accepted $10,578.22 in subsidy
from the Synodical Conference. Our. own financial assistance,
consisting of salary increases, improvements on the school prop-
erty in Memphis, and covering the Memphis school deficit, totaled
$5,394.84, This year, beginning with July 1, 1954, we shall also
make it possible for St. John’s Church in Kansas City to be served
by a vicar, who will replace Pastor J. Roschke, pastor emeritus,
who has been serving the mission for several years.

number had just about been doubled, Recently, however, we have
experienced reverses. Families have moved away, and we have

29 communicants, and 10 voting members.
But there is also a brighter side. Church attendance has been
improving, frequently thirty and more are in the service. On

we have been trying to get the men together for a meeting, but
without avail. The men, being mostly railroaders, were so often

. In general, the members of St. John’s are looking forward with
interest to the new student vicar who is to begin work here J uly 1.
The best would be, undoubtedly, if a full-time man, young and
energetic, could be placed here to see what can be done in this city

with its 50,000 Negroes. The Lord giving His gracious blessings,
we might all be surprised. Joun T. Roscure

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