Rural Church Celebrates its History: The Last Word

Many churches nationwide have had to close over the last couple decades. There's a growing percentage of people who choose not to go to church. There's also a shortage of clergy. I'm sad when a church closes because so many memories are made inside of a church. That’s why I'm happy to be visiting St. Paul's Lutheran Church in the Crawford County community of Drake's Mills. This small church, in this small town, is celebrating its 170th anniversary.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church was founded by German immigrants who settled in Drake's Mills around 1850. They were befriended by Charles Drake, the mill owner for whom the town is named. Laura Carter is a council member at St. Paul’s and has researched the church and its relationship with Drake.

"He decided to give them an acre and a half of property for a very small fee. That's when the building of the church began,” she says.

The church held its first service in 1854 and it's been active ever since. There's been a lot of changes to the original building. However, some artifacts remain. Two oil lamps from a chandelier that was in front of the church in 1854 were found five years ago. Just a couple months ago, the hanging rod from that chandelier was also found.  A painting of Jesus has been inside the church for all of its 170 years.

There’s another piece of history that has been preserved. It’s a journal from 1854. It's mostly written in German. June Arneman is a past council president at St. Paul’s Lutheran. She hopes to get the contents of the journal translated someday.

"It appears to be sort of a register with a record of communions, baptisms, and probably marriages and probably funerals,” she says.

June says Friedrich Arneman, a relative on her husband's side of the family, is listed in the book. He was an original member of the church and signed its official charter. Friedrich, who is buried at the church cemetery, would probably not have foreseen the 21st century obstacles that St. Paul's has experienced.

"In the last five years, we have been without a pastor except for 10 months,” says Laura.

Lay people have been presiding at Sunday services. They've been amazing. Nearly all of the current 50 members unselfishly serve the church in some role. There was a wonderful and happy 170 year anniversary party. It is an active congregation.

"We're going to continue,” says June. “I just have a feeling that this church will go on for hopefully another 100 years."

St. Paul's is fortunate to have a retired minister who is called to preside at marriages, baptisms, and funerals. The congregation believes that its membership may soon grow as other churches might have to close or merge.