Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/541

 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 481 a church was organized at New Wells, by A. Schieferdecker. The principal members of the church at that time were : Joseph Meyer, 6. Starzinger and M. Koessel. Zion Luth- eran church was organized in 1857 at Gravel- ton. The first pastor of the church was Rev. John R. Moser, who served until 1870. There were about twenty-five members of the church at the time of its organization, and it became one of the largest and most pros- perous churches of its denomination in this part of the state. In 1850 a church was or- ganized in Kelso township, Scott county, and named Eisleben church. The men instru- mental in this organization were : David Roth and Daniel Raubel. In 1887 Rev. J. F. Kostering became the pastor at Altenburg, and was succeeded by Rev. A. G. Grimm. There was also organ- ized a congregation at Frohna and at Union- town and Perryville. The latter was organ- ized in 1867 by Rev. Mr. Besel. This church erected a school building and also a church. The first regular pastor was Rev. C. H. Demetrio, who was called in 1869. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Matthes. This church has a good brick building and a brick schoolhouse. The Lutheran church of Ste. Genevieve was incorporated by the circuit court on iIay 11. 1867. The petitionei-s were Christian Lueke. Henry Wilder, Phillip Medast, Charles Weiss, F. C. Fertner, August Wilder, Wiliam Mavoss and F. A. Klein. In 1875 a brick building was erected and a school since that time. The church at Farmington, known as St. Paul's, was organized in 1874 by Rev. C. F. Oberraeyer. The first house of worship was a small frame structure, erected the same year. About 1859 the church was organized at Iron ilountain, and at a somewhat later date the congregation at Pilot Knob. Trinity church at Egypt Mills was dedi- cated in 1881 by H. Guemmer. A church was organized at Tilsit in 1866 and called Emmanuel. Rev. G. A. Muller was the first pastor. There were about 15 members. Zion Evangelical Lutheran church was or- ganized at Gravelton in 1857 by Rev. John R. Moser, with a membership of 25. Two of the prominent members of the church at this time were Judge Law Cloninger and Maj. M. N. Abernathy. The second pastor of the church was Rev. P. C. Henkel. He was suc- ceeded by L. M. Wagner. A fine church edi- fice was erected in 1878, and a parsonage, near the church, in 1885. Under the leader- ship of Pastor Wagner a school, known as Concordia, was established and is still con- ducted. At the present time there are church or- ganizations at Festus. Ste. Genevieve, Pop- lar Bluff, Bismarck, Pilot Knob, Pocahontas, Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Gordonville, Farmington, Altenburg, Perryville and Kimmswick. Jlost of these organizations are in a fiourishing condition and this de- nomination is making progress in Southeast Missouri. Episcopal In 1887 there were only three Protestant Episcopal churches in Southeast Missouri — at Cape Girardeau, Ironton and De Soto. The first Episcopal minister who came to the southeast was Rev. Thos. Horrell, who came from Maryland to Cape Girardeau county in 1818. There was no church organization at that time, but he held services at different houses and baptized a number of people. He resided in Cape Girardeau county for only