Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1958, Page 61

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Lutheran Synodical Conference, 1958 61

the goal of self-support, and it looks as if we will be able to report
that we have reached that goal by the time the next convention
meets.

Though our report is good (we believe it to be so), we are
not without our problems. Our present space is very small and
more land would be desirable. We have looked into the matter,
but since the surrounding property is improved, the purchase price
is almost prohibitive. To relocate our present plant would also be
prohibitive cost-wise. In our estimation it seems that the oppor-
tunities which our rapidly expanding city offers could best be met
with the calling of another resident missionary and establishing
a new congregation in an area that cannot well be served by our
facilities, and we, as a congregation, do the best we can with our
limited space.

Our school has enjoyed a full enrollment for the past two
years and is adequately staffed. Our kindergarten teacher, Mrs.
D, M. Stills, is a member of our local congregation and is con-
tinuing her preparations for her position at the local Junior College.
Our Primary teacher, Mrs. L. M. Jenkins, is a graduate of Alabama
Lutheran Academy~-College and our upper grade teacher, Mr. I. L.
Bridges, former teacher in our field, has come to us from the Texas
District, where the school in which he was teaching was closed.

We wish to express our thanks to all our fellow Lutheran
Christians in the Synodical Conference who have aided us in our
program during the past years. Our thanks to Almighty God for
our friends and blessings granted are herewith made and we im-
plore their continued interest, prayers, and help that, until such
time as we are able to carry on our program locally, God’s Word
may not be bound but be preached to our Negro brethren in its
truth and purity.

The Pastor of Jehovah Congregation is Rev. R. A. Eggert,
graduate of Northwestern College, Watertown, Wis., and the Lu-
theran Theological Seminary, Thiensville, Wis. R. A. Eccerr

St. Matthew, Oakfield, Fla.

Pastor: R. A. Eggert Teacher: Miss Mary Bodley
Baptized membership, end of ’57 81
Commmumicants nena een _ 33
Voters _ ee an ne nee ne eee 4
Pupils in Christian day school __ 33
Pupils in Sunday school — ee 50
Baptized during biennium __.. 6
Confirmed during biennium 3

(Since January 1, 5 young adults [high school stu-
dents] have been confirmed, and a class of 2 will
be ready for confirmation on Pentecost.)

Communed. ...._-—-_—__ a . 165
Total offerings, excluding tuition, ’56 _....._.__.._._..._.... $_ 785.60
Total offerings, excluding tuition, ’57 ..-..4WH+= SS 8304.86

St. Matthew Lutheran Church is the second Lutheran congre-
gation for Negroes. It was established in 1947 by Rev. W. G. Ken-
nell, then Pastor of Jehovah, Pensacola. The congregation is located
in a small Negro community about 6 miles north of the city of
Pensacola. Here we cannot look for a large influx from the out-