The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1931, Sheet 101

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER 99:

living stones in the temple of God. Quite in place
was also the baptism of an infant in this service.
St. Paul’s probably never had more people within
its walls than it had at this service, the total atten-
dance being 337. Ordinarily St. Paul’s is supposed
to be well filled when it has 200 at a service.

The evening service was also well attended, the

number of hearers being 267. In this service Pastor
W. M. Holls, the president of the Southern District
of the Missouri Synod, preached on -
Ps. 26, 6—S8 and eloquently set forth
to his hearers the cause of their
gratitude and pointed out how they
should properly manifest it. Mr. E.
H. Heintzen, a former teacher of
St. Paul’s, presided at the organ.
St. Paul’s Choir sang a very fine
selection. In this service Holy
Communion was celebrated, and a
large number partook of the Lord’s
Supper. At the close the writer
addressed the congregation once
more for about ten minutes and
admonished all to make diligent use
of the means of grace to their own
edifying and the upbuilding of
God’s Church at large.

We bring below a_ historical
sketch of St. Paul’s, written by
Pastor Wildgrube for the anniver-
sary booklet. F. J. L.

A Bit of St. Paul’s History.

During the period of fifty years
the Lord has graciously bestowed
upon St. Paul’s Congregation many
unmerited blessings. He has given
us His pure Word and Sacraments ;
He has given us faithful pastors and
teachers; He has blessed us with a
constant increase. So many have
been the Lord’s blessings that we
are constrained to thank Him and
to exclaim to those far and near: “Make a joyful
noise unto God, all ye lands. Sing forth the honor
of His name; make His praise glorious.... Bless
the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”

St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation
gained her first members from the children in its
parochial school. It was on the 26th of January,
1881, that Charles Berg, an able and consecrated
teacher, sent to New Orleans by the Mission Board,
opened a parochial school in the building which now
serves as the janitor’s living quarters. At that time

this building stood on Claiborne Avenue, near the
St. Bernard Circle. Not until the school was fairly
well established, were services conducted. The first
service was held in the above-named building on the
29th of May, 1881, by the sainted Rev. N. J. Bakke.
In the following year, on the 15th of October, the.
first catechumen class of three was confirmed, of
which Mr. Louis Thomas, who still is a faithful and
staunch member of our church, remains.

St. Paul’s Church and School, New Orleans, La.

So richly did God bless His Word upon the:
hearts of those who heard it in church and school
that within five years the membership of St. Paul’s.
had increased from 3 to 164 souls. Due to the rapid
growth of our congregation two lots were bought by
the Venerable Mission Board where St. Paul’s is.
now located. The little chapel on Claiborne Avenue
was moved there for school use, and the present
church-building was erected in 1888.... It was.
during this year that Teacher Berg died in the ser--
vice of our Lord. é;