The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1924, Sheet 84

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

1923.) During the past two years the baptized
membership increased from 50 to 69. This neigh-
borhood is well settled, and for this reason we may
expect this congregation to grow, especially since
the members we already have are such earnest
workers. — All the congregations we have in Mon-
roe County are in the northern part of the county.

45. Mobile. (Missionary W. F. Carlson, since
July, 1923.) The work was begun here in 1920.
But because this city is 150 miles away from our
nearest other stations, it was hard to serve. All
that we were able to do was to minister to those
of our people who had moved to Mobile from the
Black Belt. But as the prospects are very good in
this growing city, the Board has called a man for
this place who is to devote all his energies to the
work in this one place. Mr. W. F. Schick,* a recent

The First Confirmation Class, Kings Landing.

graduate of our Wauwatosa Seminary, has accepted
the call. This young laborer, together with Mis-
sionary Beck in New Orleans, has been furnished
our Colored Missions by the Wisconsin Synod. —
A church will be needed here in the near future and
will cost about $5,500.

46. Mount Calvary, Tilden, Dallas Co. (Founded
in 1916. Missionary Eugene R. Berger, since 1920.)
The migration of the Negroes from this section has
been one cause why this congregation has not made
much progress. Baptized membership, 53; com-
municant membership, 31.

47. Grace, Ingomar, Dallas Co. (¥Younded in
1919. Missionary I. R. Berger, since 1920.) Bap-
tized members, 26; communicants, 6. This neigh-
borhood has an unsavory reputation. A woman
said: “I should like to join the Lutheran Church,
but one cannot sin enough in that Church!” Ser-
vices haye been held here in an old board shack,
_ and this building has also housed the school for the

past four years. Church and school, both under one
roof, would cost about $1,000.

48. Trinity, Selma, Dallas Co. (Founded in
1919. Missionary Eugene B. Cozart, since 1922.
The baptized membership has grown from 12 to 51
in the past two years, and the number of communi-
cants has increased from 7 to 40. This may be
called most remarkable in view of the fact that the
sectarian Colored congregations have some good
churches in this city, while our services and school
have till now been held in a small, dilapidated board
shack measuring 2030 feet and costing a rental
of $4 a month! Two female teachers taught 112
children in this small building last year. At times
some of the children sat on the bare floor, some on
the organ, and some of the little ones on the laps
of the older pupils. A lot and a modest building
would not cost more than $3,500.

49. Hope, Kings Landing, Dallas Co. (Founded
January 17,1924. Missionary George A. Schmidt.*)
In only a few months Superintendent Schmidt has
succeeded in gaining 33 baptized members and 24
communicants at this place despite the opposition
of some whites. This seems to be a very hopeful
location. Services are being held in a schoolhouse
that is owned by a Negro. A suitable building loca-
tion and modest chapel could be procured for $1,000.

50. Pilgrim, Birmingham. (Founded 1923.
Missionary Isaac Holness, since 1923.) The 38 bap-
tized members and 29 communicants comprising
this congregation come from our rural congrega-
tions in Alabama. Superintendent Schmidt speaks
enthusiastically of the prospects of this new station.
He is of the opinion that when once a chapel and
school are needed here, this will mean an expense
of from $7,000 to $10,000. ;

51. St. John’s, Joffre, Autauga Co. (Founded
in 1917. Missionary Paul J. G. Weeke,* since
March, 1924.) This congregation never had a res-
ident pastor till recently and could be served only
once a month. Since March there are services every
Sunday. This has improved the attendance and the
contributions. Baptized membership, 37.

52. Bethlehem, Holy Ark, Autauga Oo.
(Founded in 1922. Missionary P. J. G. Weeke,*
since March, 1924.) Baptized members, 65; com-
municants, 34. All these were gained since the last
meeting of Synodical Conference. The first work
here was done by Superintendent Schmidt under
very great difficulties, and much opposition was en-
countered. The twenty-nine confirmed members of
this little congregation communed 147 times in the
aggregate last year. This is the first congregation

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