Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1954, Page 162

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162 Proceedings of the Forty-Third Convention,

seems, however, as though more and more are becoming convinced
that the simple telling of the “sweetest story ever told” is more
effective and more soul-quieting than all the hullabaloo, and thus
many are joining the Lutheran churches.

There are three Lutheran Negro churches in Chicago. One of
these has members of other races also, and all seem to be flour-
ishing. The oldest of these is St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, the
Rev. M. N. Carter, D.D., pastor. Though speaking of himself as
“the old man,” Dr. Carter is very active in his church. His con-
gregation is making fine progress and is harboring the idea of
building a parish hall with recreation facilities.

The next church is the Church of Christ the King, the Rev.
Andrew Schulze, LL.D., pastor. The church started in a “store
front” school and Sunday school. The establishing of a real church
was not effected, however, till a new church building was erected
on 37th and Lake Park Ave. The day school was discontinued for
the time being, since the parents who sent their children insisted
that their children continue to go to the church in which they
themselves held membership. Of course, they appreciated the fine
Christian education their children received for little money. A day
school will again be opened when the congregation or congregations
themselves open one.

The Church of Christ the King is in a rather difficult working
area. However, by the faithful efforts of Dr. Schulze, and Mrs.
Verna Schulz, a District lay worker, who devotes some time to this
area, fine, steady progress is being made. As of January 1, 1954,
this congregation numbers 301 baptized and 161 communicant
members. Twenty-five individuals were received by confirmation
during the year 1953. Average attendance at the morning service
is 85, and at vespers 33. The members raised $5,980.65 for all
purposes last year. Their budget for 1954 calls for $8,000.
Dr. Schulze is the consultant and adviser when the District is ready
to open more mission stations among the Negroes.

The third congregation is Resurrection Lutheran Church, the
Rev. M. 8S. Dickinson, pastor. This congregation, now two years old,
is outgrowing its church edifice. This chapel was dedicated on
February 17, 1952, and from that date on there has been steady
progress, After one month there were 56 souls, 27 communicants,
6 voters, and 51 pupils in the Sunday school. Some of these people
had been prepared for membership in the church by Dr. Schulze
before Rev. Dickinson came.

Note the statistics as of this date, March, 1954: 161 communi-
cants, 259 souls, 47 voters, 175 Sunday school pupils, 36 children
in kindergarten and first grade. 210 children attended the vacation
Bible school last summer.

A new project with 132 families and 416 children of school age
is opening up in the immediate neighborhood of the church at
this time.

Since the portable chapel now being used is in the pathway of
the south super highway and might have to be vacated within
a year or so, Resurrection Church is now in the process of buying
some lots in that particular area, anticipating the erection of a
larger church. Ways and means must be found for the continuous
operation of the day school. The school is operated on the prin-
ciple that it must “pay its own way.”