# The Lutheran Pioneer_St. Louis_1929_S115
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

114

Thirtieth Anniversary of St. Paul’s,
Lutherville, La.

The celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of
St. Paul’s at Lutherville, La., held on May 26, is
a thing of the past, but not forgotten. The spiritual
thrill which swept our hearts at that celebration
lingers on to the present time.

Many beautiful thoughts passed through our
minds on that day, and emotions of joy filled our

THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

given in the local newspapers for the announcement
of the anniversary of our church. Tach and every
member of the church did his share to spread the
news far and wide. Three services were arranged
for the day.

Despite the threatening rain the attendance at
the morning service was very encouraging. Pastor
F. W. Siebelitz, of Port Arthur, Tex., who is an old-
time friend and one intimately connected with our
church since the days of its organization, preached

Members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Mansura, La.

Rev. C. Thompson at right of picture. — Most of the older members were brought up in the Roman Catholic Church.
Read about the founding of this congregation in Fifty Years of Lutheranism among Our Colored People.

hearts. Jor many months we had been looking
forward to this event, and nothing was left undone
that might help to make this a great and long-
remembered occasion. The church property was
gone over, so that the same jubilant atmosphere
might be evidenced outwardly as was experienced
within us. To this end the church roof was stained,
the fence was repaired and whitened, and the in-
terior of the church was cleansed and put into
& spick-and-span condition. The ladies’ aid society
presented a new altar covering to the church. Every
member pledged himself to contribute 5 cents for
each year since his confirmation. Ample space was

a powerful sermon at this service. Using 1Cor. 15, 56
as his text, he showed us what should induce us to
continue the Lord’s work. In a masterful manner
he pointed out the many difficulties connected with
beginning the Lord’s work among us. He also
showed how wonderfully the Lord has blessed this
work among us, so that it has steadily grown and
prospered during the past thirty years. The pastor
concluded his sermon by assuring us that the work
among us in the future would not be in vain, but
that the Lord would bless all the labor expended.
An impressive incident of the service was the singing
of “My Church, My Church, My Dear Old Church”