The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1896, Page 6

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6 The Lutheran Pioneer.

(For the LUTHERAN PIONEER.)

Our Mission at New Orleans, La.

In July, 1877, the Ev. Luth. Synodical Con-
ference, conyened at Fort Wayne, Ind., re-
solved to begin missionary operations among
the colored people. One of the first points
that received the attention of the missionary
appointed was New Orleans, La.

Motnt Zion,
the oldest mission in this city, was established
April 7, 1878. Services and school were held
in a house on Erato street near the river,
known as the old Sailor’s Home. This build-
ing was once a handsome four-story brick
structure; but when it served our mission it
was already well worn and torn. After
about a year’s work four applicants for
membership were reported. he number
of children at day school and Sunday
school was rather encouraging. In No-
vember, 1879, eleven adults were con-
firmed and six children baptized. But
late in the following year, when Rey.
N. J. Bakke took charge of the mission
(Noy. 28, 1880), its prospects were any-
thing but bright. The number of scholars
was greatly diminished, the attendance
at the services was slim, the building in
a wretched condition. The mission, how-
ever, struggled on with varying success
until a.church was secured. A property
at the corner of Franklin and ‘Thalia
streets, which was formerly owned by a
Presbyterian congregation, was bought
at a cost of $3250.00. ‘The necessary re-
pairs having been made, the church was
dedicated Dec. 3, 1882. The congrega-
tion at that time numbered 15 communi-
cant members; 10 applicants for member-
ship were receiving instructions. Early
in the following year regular monthly
meetings were begun, and the congrega-
tion resolved to pay the current expenses

_ as well as contribute to a fund for the

sick and needy. Henceforth the mission
prospered, and more than a few felt sore at
heart, when, in 1891, Rev. Mr. Bakke, our
indefatigable missionary, consented to go to
Concord, N. C., to superintend a number of
mission-points in the Tar Heel State. His
successor, Rev. F. J. Lankenau, ordained and
installed August 23, the same year, continued
the work that had been productive of such
good results, until three years later— May 1,
1884 —he was succeeded by Rev. FE. W. Kuss,

tlie present esteemed pastor of Mount Zion.

Though slow, the growth of the congregation
has been steady. It numbers 271 souls, 17
voting members, 107 communicants. During
the last year 9 were baptized, 6 confirmed,
4 died. $328.00 is the amount of last year’s
eceipts. The school is attended by 179 pu-
ils, the Sunday school by 188. The able in-
actors are Messrs. Eug. Vix and D. Mei-

efficient service already since 1882. A new
school was built last year at an expense of
about $1800.00, the dedication having taken
place on May 12. ‘The house is a one-story
frame-building, 7032 ft., divided into two
rooms of equal size by large folding doors,
the best of our colored schools at New Orleans.
The church, however, is in such a miserable
condition that it is impossible to repair it, and,
unless it shall become our sad duty to record
some accident, it is imperatively necessary to
put in place of the old death-trap a new house
of worship at an early date. Several Young
People’s Associations who love the Saviour
and His cause have appropriated money for
that purpose with the hope that others will do
the same. God bless these young people! we

Woman grinding at Mill in Palestine.

street, near Annette. For almost two years
every effort seemed in vain. The Board was
about to discontinue the station, but was pre-
vailed upon by the Rev. Bakke to give it
another trial. In 1881, Mr. Chas. Berg was
sent to open a school. On Jan. 26 he had
only five children to begin with, but in a
month’s time he had 35, a few weeks later
that number was doubled, and soon the chapel
was too small to accommodate all the children
that applied for admission. In November,
1883, the chapel was moved to Annette street,
between Claiborne and Derbigny. A small
congregation had been gathered by this time.

The school continued to flourish under the
able management of Mr. Berg. His death,
which occurred March 9, 1888, was a severe
blow to the mission. The same year a
new church was built. It is a frame
building, as is all other property of the
mission. It measures 54 < 28 X 21 ft.,
has a steeple 55 ft. high and a vestry
22X16 ft. Its seating-capacity is about
225. With a cherry-stained, arched ceil-
ing, high gothic altar, richly decorated
with velvet covers, crucifix and flowers,
with its stained glass windows, beautiful
chandeliers, and appropriately carpeted
chancel it is the handsomest colored
church we have in the city, though it
cost less than $2000.00. This church was
dedicated Sept. 23, the 17th Sunday after
Trinity. The membership of the congre-
gation rapidly increased, and under the
zealous care of Rev. F. J. Lankenau, who
is ably assisted in school by Miss H. Hol- °
land, steadily continues to grow. A two-
story schoolhouse, 26X48 ft., built for
$1825.00 and dedicated in March, 1891,
furnishes ample room for the pupils at-
tending, of whom there are 146. The
Sunday school has an enrollment of 158.
The congregation consists of 164 souls,
15 voting members, 76 communicants.
Last year there was a loss of 6 members

say; and every member of Mount Zion will
do the same; and every friend of our missions
likewise. So go ahead, Young Lutherans!
Let every one of the young people lend a
hand! Think of the souls to be gained in that
new church! What better returns could you
get for your money! And do you not owe
some of it to Him, who gave you not only all
the money you have, but also gave you His
own Son as a Saviour? Therefore, bestir
yourself! Help, every Young Lutheran, help!
that the new church needed may soon stand
finished —a monument of the Young Lu-
therans’ gratitude to their Lord and Re-
deemer.
Sr. Paur’s Carer

was dedicated March 9, 1879. It was a mod-
est building of undressed lumber, measuring
30X20 ft., and was put up with the balance
of a fund for yellow-fever sufferers during-the
last epidemic. It first stood on Claiborne

by death and excommunication, while
12 were added by baptism and confirmation.
The annual receipts amounted to $353.95, an
increase of almost $76.00 over the receipts of
the previous year.

BetuLrenemM Cuaren

was opened on the 2d Sunday after Easter,
April 15, 1888. Its size is 50X28 X16 ft. It
has a little tower about 28 ft. high. Seats for
130 persons have been provided, but there is
room for more. ‘The clean pews in hard oil
finish, a pretty altar bearing a gilt crucifix,
silver plated candle-sticks, and vases with
artificial flowers, and a neat carpet, covering
the front of the house up to the pews as well
as the center aisle, make it as cozy a place as
the preaching of God’s word and Luther's
doctrine pure makes it a blessed one. Imme-
diately there was such a rush of children to
the school that it soon became necessary to
calla teacher. Mr. Ed. Rischow, who arrived