ILJODAVI-L Archives

From: ALYS SEIFERT <>
Subject: [ILJODAVI-L] St John's of Massbach Time Capsule History!!
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1999 20:49:56 -0800

Evening Rooters,
A little more St John's history. Hope you enjoy!!
Loren

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During the summer of 1998, the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Massbach, Jo Daviess Co., IL, was renovated to make entry for the
physically impaired more convenient. During the process of
construction, a cornerstone being cut into for the new entry way
foundation, revealed a "time capsule" that had been placed during the
church construction of 1913.
Inside the metal box was a Bible in the German language and a hand
written history also in the German language, of St John's by Pastor
Herman Streeb who served from 1911 until 1917. In his account of the
church history of 1900 until 1913, Pastor Streeb included a previous
account of St. John's written by the Pastor H. Kumph for the dedication
of their newly constructed church of 1900, detailing the history of the
congregation and church from c.a. 1864 thru 1900.
The first house of worship of St. John's was a small log church
constructed c.a. 1859 and was still standing in 1913. The second and
larger house was constructed in 1900 and was destroyed by fire in July
of 1913. The location of the third St. John's was moved north east of
Massbach, and was dedicated in Jan. of 1914 but was again destroyed,
this time by tornado in April of 1922. The church was rebuilt on the
same foundation and is the present Church of St. John's of Massbach.
The "time capsule" was evidently not discovered or remembered by members
of the congregation as no marking was made or a mention ever recorded
that the corner stone contained such material as was discovered in 1998.
Following is the english translation of the aforementioned hand written
accounts given me by Pastor Daiker at the dedication ceremony in July of
1998.
Mr. Loren L. Seifert
Spokane, WA
10 Jan 1999

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***********************

The History of the St. John's Lutheran Church at Massbach

After barely 13 years, the congregation again faces the task of building
a church. The church that started construction June 4, 1900, was hit by
lightning on July 8, 1913, approximately 9:30 PM. It was totally
reduced to ashes. The lightning ignited in the tower, likely in the
belfry, and within two hours, the church was in ruin. We mourned the
loss of our beautiful church and on the following Sunday had a
"mourning" service next to the burned-down church; but at the same time
resolved to build a new church. The most important part which the
congregation had to consider and discuss was whether the church should
be built again at the same location or move in the center of the
community. So, it was decided by a majority vote (of the 12 voices) to
build the church two miles further northeast. So, we started building
happily and hope and pray that our God will bless our decisions and
protect the workers from all bad luck and mishap.
The following is a copied history of the congregation as it was found in
the cornerstone of the burned-down church.

*******************
++++++++++++++

"On this day, 2nd Pentecost 1900, we celebrate the laying of the
cornerstone of our church. So, it seems appropriate that we first and
foremost pray to our merciful God and Jesus Christ and remember with
praise and gratitude who is the true foundation and cornerstone of this
church and who has for so many years guided and blessed us as our loyal
shepherd and leader. Yes, the honor, praise and thanks be for the great
Shepherd of His sheep and for His mercy granted the congregation until
this hour. It was He who made one willing in one's heart to build a
house for Him in which to preach His holy word and administer the holy
sacrament. We also praise His loyalty because He has given us willing
hearts and open hands who, now that our old church is too small, want to
build a larger house for Him, to give the great name honor and praise.
At the laying of the cornerstone, it seems fitting to look back into the
history of our congregation which is about to build a new house for the
Lord."
"Our St. John's Lutheran Church congregation held it's first church
service in this area in the year 1856. It was a certain Pastor Snall
from Black Oaks who first tried to organize a congregation. At that
time the effort failed. At the suggestion of several of the old members
of the Ev. Luth. Primitative congregation at Derinda Center, IL., Prof.
Dr. S Fritschel and several other pastors from the Iowa Synod would
preach from time to time in the house of Groetzinger. In the year 1857,
Pastor J. A. List from the Iowa Synod was appointed. He would, until
construction of a parsonage, live with a member of the congregation of
this parish."
"Both congregations jointly appointed a pastor and maintained the
parsonage. Services took place alternately at the house of Mr. Andreas
Wurster, later in Maffit Schoolhouse and at Derinda in the so-called
McGrath Schoolhouse. Toward the end of the "50's" the present and still
standing - so called Log Church was built in Massbach. From the oldest
member of this congregation, whose number however was greatly reduced
due to deaths, some should be mentioned. Kaspar Heid, Lorenz Thain, Ad.
Boehm, Ez Elflein, Ad Hesselbacher, Frau McBahwell, Joh. Rath, Andreas
Endress, John Albrechtsen, Johannes Gerner and others. Wilh. Haas and
these old members of the congregation managed the construction of the
church. The first Elders were named John _____, Adam Hesselbacher and
Gz Weible. At the time of the dedication celebration, Prof. J. A. List
also delivered his farewell sermon and his successor M. P. Burke
delivered his first sermon. M. P. Burke managed the job of a soul
caretaker until the end of the year 1863. After his departure the
position of pastor was unoccupied for a while, until H. P. H. Hempeler
answered his calling. H. P. H. Hempeler took care of God's word and
sacrament in the Parochie until 1871 when P. Theo Seyler came."
"During P. Theo Seyler's time in office, Derinda built a new church and
repair work was done in Massbach in 1874. P. Seylor tried to combine
the affiliated congregation from Stockton with this one to build a new
church closer toward Stockton, however, it did not succeed. 1879 P.
List was appointed for the 2nd time. His successor became P. H.
Bruckner, who officiated until 1891. 1892, P.J. Huter came. Under him
the house of the pastor from Derinda was transferred to Massbach. There
a new parsonage was built. As affiliated congregations came, other than
Peter-Pauls congregation to Stockton, came another newly founded in
Pleasant Valley on the Mt. Carroll road. During the time in office of
H.P. Huter, the St. John congregation was newly organized and also
incorporated. In 1897 the present Pastor Kumpf was called. The present
directors of the congregation: Heinrich Albrecht, Nic Thain and Caspar
Heid Jr."

"From the time of founding of this church until the present according to
the church books, 864 baptisms, 283 confirmations, 97 weddings, and 190
funerals were performed. School and confirmation lessons were
alternately held in Massbach and Derinda and regular Sunday school in
all congregations."

Massbach, Jo Daviess Co., June 4, 1900
H. Kumpf, Ev. Luth Pastor

The present trustees of the St. John's congregation are:
Nic Thain, Heinr. Albrecht, Kaspar Heid

+++++++++++++++++++++++

*****************

This should also be added: the church that burned down on July 8, 1913,
was 32 x 60 ft. with a tower height of 70 ft. The cost was in excess of
$3600. The now-to-be-built church shall be 32 x 50 ft. with a tower
height of approx. 78 ft. and an alterniche of 16 x 10 ft. as an
addition. Cost in excess of $5000…nothing worth mentioning was saved
from the old church but the baptismal font and a cupboard out of the
vestry.
>From spring of 1904, P.W. Osthoff served the congregation until autumn
1906. From spring 1907 to summer 1911 H.P.W. Reinecke served. In the
fall of 1911, P.H. Streeb weas abbointed. During the time of H.P.W.
Reinecke, an attempt was made to relocate the church and the parsonage
to Massbach or closer in the vicinity of Massbach. The attempt failed.
>From June 4, 1900 to Sept. 1, 1913, 214 baptisms, 132 confirmations, 31
weddings and 65 funerals took place. I wonder what generation might see
these pages? Perhaps at that time our flesh will have turned to dust
long ago, the world will have progressed, but the word of God as is
preached in our new church shall and will remain in eternity.

Massbach, Jo Daviess Co., September-1913

H. Streeb, Ev. Luth Pastor

Present trustees are:
Nic Thain, Caspar Heid, Wm. Dittmar

Our construction committee is:
Nic Thain, George Krug, Kaspar Heid

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(End-------LLS)

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