Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1950, Page 37

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

*. Maplesville, Ala. /

Peace Lutheran Church, a rural congregation about two miles
from Maplesville on Highway 22, was organized in 1928 and now
consists of five communicants, all women. Services are being held
in homes.

Two years ago a lot was given the Missionary Board by Dr. H.
Nix at a choice site in the town of Maplesville for a chapel. Last
summer a Bible school was taught by Miss Evie Dale under an
oak tree on this site. There was an enrollment of thirty. It is
hoped there will be enough converts to warrant the building of
a chapel soon. C. L. Grazser, Pastor

Arlington, Ala.

St. Matthew’s Congregation was begun by the Rev. J. S. Mont-
gomery in 1923. The property consists of five acres of land,
a chapel-school, and a parsonage. The following pastors have
served this congregation: P. R. Hunt, J. G. Lavalais, and E. H.
Thompson, now serving.

After 27 years in this once thriving and thickly populated
community, we now have 62 baptized and 25 communicant mem-
bers, including 5 men.

Mrs. K. C. Thompson, the day school teacher, has 27 children
enrolled. This number represents all of the children of school age
in the congregation and community. Most of them are either
Lutheran or very good prospects.

Our gains in members now come slowly, but we believe they
are with us to stay and will build a firm church.

Owing to the poverty of the community, that is, lack of good
farm land and employment, the congregation is only able to keep
up the property repairs and pay a small part of the needed salaries.

E. H. Toompson, Pastor
Nyland, Ala.

Bethany Congregation was begun by the Rev. G. A. Schmidt
in February, 1918. The property consists of two acres of land and
a chapel-school.

Today Bethany is small, numerically, with only 20 souls,
15 communicants, and 4 voters. The day school, taught by Mrs. M. -
L. Bradley, has 38 on the roll. The losses in the congregation were
gains for other Lutheran congegations. The young people are
moving to large cities. At present, owing to the nearness of
several Baptist churches, gains cannot be made rapidly. However,
Bethany leads in the number of sons and daughters it has given
for the Lord’s work. Today two of its sons are pastors, and one
is now vicaring on this field. One man and five women were at
one time teachers in our Christian day schools. Next year. we have
_ hopes of adding another teacher to that number.

The congregation meets its pledge of $9 a month and takes
care of needed repairs on its building. E.H.THompson, Pastor

Lamison, Ala.

St. Luke’s Congregation was begun by the Rev. G. A. Schmidt
in 1925. The property consists of five and a half acres of land
and the chapel-school. This mission has been served by Pastors