Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1950, Page 58

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58 Proceedings of the Forty-First Convention,

secure the necessary backing. Finally, in November of 1948, we
had our condemned place of worship renovated at a cost of $1,050.
This included a complete and enlarged roof; sheet-rock on the
inside; painting of building in and outside; rewiring; reshaping
altar; repairs to, and strengthening of, floor supports; installing
gas and piping church building; gas heaters and window fan;
paving of sidewalk. The common labor was furnished by members
and pastor. The new covers for the altar and runner for floor were
donated by the ladies’ aid; the new electric organ, by the men’s club.

Two unsuccessful efforts were made to merge Concordia with
St. Philip’s Mission, which I took over in November of 1942. During
my seven years at St. Philip’s, 16 children were baptized; 11 adults
and 9 children confirmed; 999 souls communed; 11 couples married;
and 4 persons were buried.

A new roof, floor, steps, and church doors have been added
to the present building. The little church has been painted on the
inside. This work was done by the pastor and two members.

Thanks to God for all His blessings of the past!

Henry Sorretu, Pastor
St. Paul’s (Lutherville), Mansura, La.

St. Paul’s was founded by Dr, F. J. Lankenau, deceased, in 1898,
92 years ago. In the fall of the following year, 1899, the first perma-
nent pastor was installed. Since the establishment of St. Paul’s
three white pastors served consecutively, followed by three Negro
pastors, During the brief intervals when the congregation was
without a pastor, five pastors supplied the congregation with the
administration of the Gospel and the Sacraments. The present
pastor is a native son of the congregation, and he has been the
pastor of the congregation for twenty-five years. St. Paul’s has the
distinction of having furnished twelve pastors and one teacher to
the mission, She has seen a son of a pastor come out of her mem-
bership to enter the holy ministry.

Twenty years ago a Bible class was organized for the adult
members of the congregation. During this period of time the Bible
class has continued uninterruptedly. Several members who started
with the class completed the study of the New Testament. The
class has now begun the study of the Old Testament.

Several years ago St. Paul’s arranged to buy her church
property from the Missionary Board. The congregation hopes to
pay its last note on the property this fall. Although the congregation
has numerically dwindled considerably since the last World War,
many of her young people having migrated to other parts of the
country, the congregation’s great desire to become a self-supporting
congregation has not abated. Thus the congregation desires to
manifest its gratitude to the Missionary Board for having sent her
the Gospel. C. P. Toompson, Pastor

Calvary, Baton Rouge, La.

In Baton Rouge, the capital of the State, missionary work has
been carried on since 1926, but very little was accomplished at first.
Since 1931, Calvary Church has made some progress. Thirty-six
souls were added to our mission. The work has been greatly
hindered by the lack of a church home, and that is the stumbling
block of our work now. It is remarkable, in spite of the many
enticements to leave our church, that our members have faithfully