St. Paul Lutheran Celebrates 75th Anniversary
St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bennett celebrated its 75th anniversary on September 11th, beginning with a worship service led by the District President, the Rev. Brian Saunders. Following the service a meal was served to all members and guests. Church memorabilia was on display for all to enjoy as they reminisced about the early history of St. Paul.
In the year 1935, the Rev. P.W. Happel, pastor of Zion Lutheran in Wilton, and his congregation agreed to support Candidate Julius Koch to conduct services and Sunday School in nearby Sunbury for a salary of $25.00 a month. The District Mission Board allocated $20.00 a month for automobile expense.
In the spring of 1936, Candidate Koch broadened his outreach and conducted his first service in Bennett in a hall above the post office. Fifty-six people were in attendance and 12 children enrolled in Sunday School. After several months these families determined that a Lutheran congregation should be established. On October 6,1936, a constitution was adopted and all necessary procedures were conducted for the formal organization of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church U.A.C. in Bennett. Rev. Julius Kock was installed as Pastor in November with a salary of $75.00 a month ($40 from the congregation and $35 from Iowa District East).
In 1939 six building lots were purchased for $600, and in 1941 the present church building was dedicated. In 1946 the parsonage was constructed on the church grounds, and a fellowship area was built in 1960. Eight pastors have served St. Paul in its 75 years of ministry: the Rev. Julius Kock 1936-48; the Rev. Ernest Stuempfig 1948-52; the Rev. Edward Beckmann 1952-63; the Rev. Paul Mueller 1964-70; the Rev. Wendell Henkenmeier 1970-75; the Rev. Daniel Ognoskie 1975-99; the Rev. Bruce Miller 1999-04; and the Rev. Timothy Jones 2004 to the present.
The congregation praises God for His blessings during these past 75 years, and takes great comfort in knowing that He will continue to give His Grace in Christ Jesus to the congregation of St. Paul The things of this world may change, but we are assured that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
