June 8 was a joyous day in the lives of the members of St. Paul Lutheran Church (Germantown), Lacona, IA and St. John Lutheran Church, Melcher-Dallas, dual parishes, and as well as in the lives of Rev. Kent Peck and his family. Sunday services began with an “Installation” service at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Members of both congregations, family and guest were in attendance.
Rev. Peck was the 22nd pastor that St. Paul has installed.
After the service of much worship and praise led by Rev. Arno Melz and President Gary Arp, dinner followed for all to enjoy.
Ordination and Installation Services continued that afternoon at St. John Lutheran Church. Rev. Kent Peck was officially ordained and installed for the two parishes. Rev. Melz, Rev. Johnson, Rev. Scudder and President Rev. Gary Arp lead the worship service. A host of ministers attend the service and assisted with the “Laying of the Hands” and ordination ceremonies. A reception in his honor was held following.
St. Paul organized in 1854 in the Iowa Synod. Before the 1854 organization, they had a minister come, by horse back from Keokuk, to preach in a log cabin schoolhouse. In 1876, St. Paul Lutheran Church joined the Missouri Synod. They were the oldest congregation on this side of the Mississippi River, but not the oldest in the Missouri Synod since they didn’t join as soon as it was formed. In 2004, St. Paul held their 150th anniversary. During that celebration they had two former pastors back to preach that day. Rev. Kenneth Curry and Rev. Arthur Bliese which since then they both have departed to be with their Lord.
St. John Lutheran Church was organized October 16, 1921. Pastor E. H. Felton, who was conducting services at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Lacona, started holding services in Melcher-Dallas. In September 1922, the congregation called W. D. Oetting to be their Pastor. At that time services were held above the old Casino Theatre. Over the course of many years, land was purchased, a chapel was build, a parsonage was purchased and later construction started on a church.
In the late fifties, St. Paul & St. John formed into a dual parish relationship. In the seventies, a new parsonage was built and construction began on a new church. Members of both parishes have taken important steps to expand and to enhance the ministry of their churches.
The congregations humbly acknowledge the gracious hands of God for giving us another pastor to carry out ministry to our communities.
