St. Paul's Lutheran Church Celebrates 150 Years in Elma

Looking back over 150 years of history yields a wealth of information and stories, some discovered through documents, some personally remembered and shared with others.

The congregation at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Elma is learning and sharing many stories as they plan to celebrate the church's 150th anniversary.

Lifelong church members Judith Flick and Fred Streif sat down with the East Aurora Advertiser and Elma Review to discuss what they have found, and even more of what they remember.

A “family feeling” is one of the church’s strongest attributes: Streif has seven generations to look on, back to the founders and forward to his grandchildren. He and Flick were each baptized, confirmed and married within the church, and their elders had similar experiences.

"There is a sense of community within the church. You feel a sense of place," Streif said.

Throughout this year the parish will honor the church’s history and community presence, first by recognizing its pastor, the Rev. Carol L. Lankes, for her 20 years at the church, then with a picnic at Elma Meadows, to be followed by a special service and dinner in September.

"Hopefully we can get people to come back, sort of like a family reunion," Flick said.

St. Paul's was founded in 1862 by 36 families, many of whom were German settlers, Flick said. The group called itself the United Evangelical St. Paul's Church. Two years later the group constructed a building on donated land on Main Street near North Blossom Road. The congregation has been at the same spot ever since.

The current church building dates back to 1872, when it was erected to replace the original, lost to a fire the previous year. At one point the church boasted a taller steeple, but on April 1, 1929, it was blown off the roof. A church history pamphlet from the 100-year celebration stated, "From her home, Mrs. Amelia Lortz saw the steeple of St. Paul's begin to teeter and finally crash to the ground, landing across the front of the church yard." The current steeple was built soon after.

In addition to the historic events, many personal anecdotes are being retold. One of the goals of the anniversary committee is to collect those stories so that when older generations pass away, future members will have records to access and remember.

Annual picnics were a popular church function, especially during the Great Depression, Flick said. She talked about her grandfather and how he sold beer to local residents, probably during those church picnics that were held next door to the church on property called "Ertel's Grove." She noted alcohol was not allowed on church premises, but a church member lived next door.

"I know that my grandfather used to make beer and supply it to the locals. I'm sure they had beer there… but it wasn't on church grounds," Flick said, laughing at the notion of a family member helping to sidestep a formality.

"I'm sure that was probably the case," Streif said. "A lot of the Germans made beer. Beer was a staple [in the culture] from the middle ages. You lived on beer."

Both Flick and Streif also talked about Evelyn Elliott, the oldest congregation member, who will turn 105 on Feb. 11.

Flick said Elliott was a choir director for many years, leading both junior and senior groups, and continued singing with the group until the last few years. Elliott was also known for taking youth groups to Allegany State Park for camping excursions within the cabins, and many members took advantage of these opportunities to attend, too.

Up until four years ago she would drive herself to church, Streif said. She still attends when another parishioner brings her, he said.

They also mentioned the late Russ Vogel, a very active council member who took care of the cemetery before passing that duty to Streif. And there was Gladys Kling Lorenz, a former Sunday school teacher who also hosted the annual autumn roast beef dinners for many years. The people and community members became the main talking points of the interview.

It is one reason Pastor Lankes stayed in the area for 20 years. "The people. They are very willing workers. Supportive of each other. Supportive of the community," Lankes said.

She grew up in the area and made her way back after attending seminary school. Lankes said it was good to be back home with a congregation that had a "sense of family and a willingness to serve."

It is one aspect attributed to the church's longevity. There have been struggles to maintain membership, and financial difficulties, but the “family feeling” Flick and Streif emphasized has continued since those early organizers started the church.

"Strong family ties since… gosh, since right through the Landahls," Streif said, referencing to ancestors that were early members of the church.

Lankes also said outreach programs help tell others what the church does. Assisting missionaries in Africa or food banks in Buffalo, spreading the word keeps them going.

"We want to reach out to the community and let them know we are here," she said.

There will be a formal service honoring Lankes on Sun., Feb. 12 at 10:30 a.m., and a reception in the parish hall. A remembrance evening will take place on April 28, and a church picnic will occur on July 29 at Elma Meadows. The main celebration will be Sept. 30 with a special service and dinner. All are open to the public.

No Comments - “St. Paul's Lutheran Church Celebrates 150 Years in Elma”