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EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH (HESSVILLE, OHIO)

Local History Collections

Collection ID: LH - 465
Location: LH - 465

(Description ID: 610017)

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums

 

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

(Hessville, Ohio)

 

LH-465

 

Introduction

Agency History

Scope and Content

Inventory

 

Introduction

The records of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hessville, Ohio, were donated to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums in 2025.

 

Agency History

Around 1838, Ohio began developing the area of wetlands between Bellevue and Perrysburg, known as the Black Swamp.  This development included the construction of a limestone road, which was completed in 1841 and allowed settlers to move further west. A portion of these new settlers, who were Lutheran Germans, took up residence in Hessville.  They did not have a designated place to worship or a pastor amongst their community.  Recognizing the need, traveling pastor, Adolph Konrad, began to periodically visit Hessville to help lead worship services.  It’s been reported that the settlers wept with joy after being contacted by Konrad.  In 1839, Pastor Konrad began holding services and baptizing settlers, continuing these services until early 1841.  On his last visit to Hessville, he helped the Lutheran families organize a congregation, adopt a constitution, and choose the name Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Emmanuel Evangelical functioned without a pastor until December 1841 when Reverend George Cronenwett became the visiting pastor.  He would travel to Hessville every second Sunday of each month.  Services were held in a small log schoolhouse, but the congregation eventually outgrew the space, leading to services being held in barns or large homes. Unable to build their own church due to limited funds, Emmanuel Lutheran collaborated with the Hessville Reformed parish to build a church that could be used by both groups.  However, construction delays began to cause issues, leaving both groups with an unfinished church and tensions over scheduled usage.  In 1853, after a meeting of the congregation, and advisement from Reverend Cronenwett, it was decided that Emmanuel Lutheran would construct their own building.  By the Fall of 1853, a small, brick building was completed at the corner of “Sander’s Lane” and U.S. 20 for $1,000. 

On August 6, 1869, Reverend Robert Graetz was installed as the permanent pastor, holding that role until October 10, 1875. Reverend Simon Poppen was installed shortly after Reverend Graetz’ departure, along with growing enthusiasm for a new church building  amongst the congregation. With Reverend Poppen encouragement, the congregation began to raise funds for the project.  The cornerstone was laid on May 26, 1876, and the new church was dedicated on November 12, 1876. The former brick church was used as the parish schoolhouse but was soon found to be an inadequate space.  A new schoolhouse was built a few years after the new church was erected.  In 1885, Reverend Poppen left the Emmanuel Lutheran to become the pastor of a church in Saginaw, Michigan.  C.H. Althoff became the new pastor in 1885, and he served in that role until 1914.  During that time, the Ladies’ Aid Society, choir, and brass band were created.  English language services were also instituted on the first Sunday of each month during Reverend Althoff’s tenure.

On September 16, 1914, J.G. Johanssen became the new pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran.  Anti-German sentiment began to rise during this time due to World War I, and services at Emmanuel Lutheran began to reflect that sentiment.  German language services became limited to the first and fifth Saturdays of the month, and, eventually, these services ceased altogether.  Reverend Johanssen also oversaw major changes to the interior of the church.  The biggest interior change came with the conversion from stoves to furnaces for heating and gas to electric for lighting. The Reverend M.H. Schultz served as pastor from November 14, 1920 to July 1, 1921. Although his tenure was brief, Reverend Schutlz directed the early stages of construction for a new parsonage. Reverend W. Nordsieck served as pastor for a brief time until Reverend Carl E. Linder took over in 1922 as a more permanent pastor for the church.  English became the official language for worship and instruction, and a u-shaped driveway was added to the facilities.  Emmanuel Lutheran’s 50th anniversary was also celebrated during this time, and a new pipe organ was installed to honor this milestone. Reverend Linder transferred parishes in November of 1927 and was succeeded by Reverend Harold L. Yochum.  Reverend Yochum served Emmanuel Lutheran during the height of the Great Depression, but his strong leadership and enthusiasm for the church kept the parish active and lively. He concluded his service at Emmanuel Lutheran on September 16, 1934.

Following Reverend Yochum’s departure, Reverend Lewis G. Nicol became the new pastor. During his tenure, he helped celebrate the 95th anniversary of the church and the 60th anniversary of the church building. Reverend Nicol left Emmanuel Lutheran on October 15, 1939 for a parish in Toledo.  On December 31, 1939, the Reverend Adam W. Lynn was installed as the new pastor, overseeing Emmanuel Lutheran’s 100th anniversary celebration, which featured a full week of guest speakers and  special services. He was one of the longest serving pastors in Emmanuel Lutheran’s history, serving for 27 years before retiring in 1965.  Reverend David Hetrick served as the temporary pastor for less than a year.   Reverend David G. Burke replaced him as the permanent pastor on March 13, 1966, serving in this role until 1969.  From 1970 to 1982, Norman Bowen served as Emmanuel Lutheran’s pastor.  After 1982, the church accommodated several pastors who served for short periods of time: Matthew Lash (1983-1986), William Matlack (1987-1990), Lance Frankie (1990-1991), Brett Rizzo (1991-1995), Robert Wietelmann (1995-1996), and Jeannine Madigan (1996-1997).  The last long-term pastor was Reverend Dennis Wansitler who served from 1998-2023.  The final pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church was Paul Bailie who served from 2023 until the church’s closing on October 27, 2024.

 

Scope and Content

This collection, spanning from 1854 to 1964, consists of the constitution and by-laws, ledgers, and council meeting minutes of Emmanuel Luthernan Church (Hessville, Ohio).  The collection also contains meeting minutes from church subcommittees of the Luther League, Ladies Aid Society, Women of the Church, Sunday School Board, Fellowship Club, and Lydia Circle, which span from 1907 to 1984.  There are administrative records/financial books for the Luther League, Ladies Aid Society, Women of the Church, Sunday School Board, Lunch Stand, and ice cream socials and spaghetti dinners, as well as general financial ledgers, spanning 1905-2000.  The collection includes weekly offering reports, records regarding the physical buildings, annual reports, spanning from 1925-2023, and church history and anniversary records.

A unique part of this collection are the parishioner records regarding membership, baptisms, confirmations, histories, and financials that have been digitized and put onto microfilm and a USB drive.  These records span from the early 1800s to 1969.  The collection is also comprised of dismissal/transfer records, memorial books, and guest books. A large part of the collection are the church bulletins, spanning 1938-1986 and the church newsletter, titled Emmanuel’s Messengers, that span from 1923-1939, with a short span from April 1987-December 1988.  The material also features newspaper clippings, plat maps, and large collection of photographs from photo albums and scrapbooks.  A  wood print block of the Reverend C.H. Althoff, a physical piece of the church building, a bible, hymnals, and various religious books complete the collection.

 

Inventory

Ac. 6165

 

Box 1

Constitution and By-Laws (in German)

Constitution and By-Laws Booklet

Church Ledger 1896-1931

Church Ledger 1887-1913

Church Ordinance and Register

Annual Meeting of Emmanuel Lutheran Congregation Meeting Minutes 1854-1935

Church Council Meeting Minutes 5/29/1922-1/2/1938

Church Council Meeting Minutes 1/16/1938-12/7/1945

Church Council Minutes 1/6/1946-12/8/1964

Notes on Church Closing Preparations 4/23/2023-8/1/2024

Notes on Church Closing Preparations 8/2/2024-12/28/2024

Notes on Events After Church Closing 1/3/2025-11/14/2025

Folder

  1. Final Service Records

Luther League Meeting Minutes 8/2/1916-12/2/1920

Luther League Meeting Minutes 1946-1950

Luther League Treasurer’s Book 1/1/1932-11/17/1958

Luther League Treasurer’s Book 1956-1974

Ladies Aid Society Meeting Minutes and Financial Records 1907-1920

Ladies Aid Society Minute and Financial Ledger 1921-1929

Ladies Aid Society Meeting Minutes 1930-1936

Ladies Aid Society Meeting Minutes 1937-1943

Ladies Aid Society Meeting Minutes 1944-1947

 

Box 2

Ladies Aid Society Meeting Minutes 1948-1961

Ladies Aid Society Record of Financial Secretary 1931-1942

Ladies Aid Society Record of Treasurer 1931-1952

Ladies Aid Society Treasurer’s Record Book 1953

Women of the Church Meeting Minutes 1961-1984

Women of the Church Treasurer’s Record Book 1953-1961

Women of the Church Treasurer’s Record Book 1961-1987

Folder

  1. Church Groups Banking Books

Sunday School Board of Management Meeting Minutes 6/30/1922-3/24/1935

Sunday School Board of Management Minutes 1940-1963

Sunday School Reports 7/9/1922-1/17/1926

Sunday School Records 1/3/1926-8/19/1934

Sunday School Record 1953-1966

Fellowship Club Meeting Minutes 1966-1974

Lydia Circle Meeting Minutes 3/15/1978-4/11/1983

Lunch Stand Records 1927-1964

Lunch Stand Records 1927-1964

Ice Cream Social and Spaghetti Dinner Planning Records 1984-2000

General Financial Ledger 1895-1904 (in German)

General Financial Ledger 1905-1931

 

Box 3

General Financial Ledger 1948-1951

Financial Secretary’s Record 1959

Folder

1.  Sunday Offerings Records 8/23/1936-1/9/1938

Weekly Offering Records 1/5/1958-8/10/1958

Weekly Offering Records 1/4/1959-12/31/1959

Weekly Offering Records 1/3/1960-12/25/1960

Memorial and Building Funding/Finances for New Church 1970

2.   Building Finances for New Church 1971

3.   Scholarship Fund Applications and Awards 1993-2024

4.   Scholarship Fund Applications and Awards 1993-2024

5.   Miscellaneous Financial Records 1922-1966

6.   Annual Reports 1925-1941

7.   Annual Reports 1968-1979

8.   Annual Reports 1981-1989

9.   Annual Reports 1990-1999

10. Annual Reports 2001-2009

11.  Annual Reports 2010-2019

12.   Annual Reports 2020-2023

12.  Church Histories

14.  Anniversary Records

145th Anniversary Celebration Poster

Ministers and Members of the Church 1957-2024

15.  Building and Grounds Records

16.  Church Renovation Records

17.  Member Birth and Confirmation Records 8/19/1956-10/31/2021 (Folder)

Microfilm and USB Records

            Record Book 1853-1876

            Record Book (Family Register c. 1800-1916)

Baptisms 1837-1860

Confirmations/Communicants 1869-1877

Record Book 1876-1916

Record Book 1914-1957

Record Book 1957-1969

Annual Meeting Minutes 1854-1935

Financial Records 1895-1904

Financial Records 1905-1930

Church Histories n.d., 1926, 1966

 

Box 4

Folder

  1. Letters of Dismissal or Transfer 2/12/1918-12/31/1954
  2. Choir Records 4/2/1940-12/7/1956
  3. Church Directories

Church Memorial Book 1966-1970

Church Memorial Book 1970-1983

Church Memorial Book 1985-1996

Church Memorial Book 1997-2022

  1. Miscellaneous Religious Societies
  2. Miscellaneous Correspondence

Guests of Our Church Binder 11/27/1966-4/11/1973

Our Church Guests Book 4/15/1973-8/31/1986

Church Guest Book 10/5/1986-12/18/2022

Bulletins 7/31/1938-12/28/1940

Bulletins 12/31/1940-12/28/1941

Bulletins 12/31/1941-12/27/1942

Bulletins 12/31/1942-12/31/1943

Bulletins 1/2/1944-12/31/1944

Bulletins 1/7/1945-12/30/1945

Bulletins 1/6/1946-12/29/1946

 

Box 5

Bulletins 12/31/1946-12/31/1947

Bulletins 1/4/1948-12/31/1948

Bulletins 1/2/1949-12/25/1949

Bulletins 1/1/1950-12/31/1950

Bulletins 1/7/1951-12/30/1951

Bulletins 1/6/1952-12/28/1952

Bulletins 1/4/1953-12/27/1953

Bulletins 1/3/1954-12/24/1954

Bulletins 1/2/1955-12/31/1955

Bulletins 1/1/1956-12/30/1956

Bulletins 1/6/1957-12/31/1957

Bulletins 1/5/1958-12/28/1958

Bulletins 1/4/1959-1/3/1960

Bulletins 1/3/1960-12/25/1960

Bulletins 1/1/1961-12/31/1961

Bulletins 1/7/1962-5/6/1962

  1. Bulletins 5/13/1962-12/30/1962

Bulletins 1/6/1963-12/29/1963

Bulletins 1/5/1964-12/31/1964

Bulletins 1/3/1965-12/26/1965

  1. Miscellaneous Bulletins

 

Box 6

Bulletins 1/5/1947-12/31/1950

Bulletins 1/7/1951-12/31/1957

Bulletins 1/5/1958-12/31/1961

Bulletins 1/7/1962-12/26/1965

 

Box 7

Bulletins 1/16/1983-9/28/1986

  1. Emmanuel’s Messenger April 1923-December 1925

Emmanuel’s Messenger January 1926-October 1927

Emmanuel’s Messenger January 1926-December 1928

  1. Emmanuel’s Messenger January 1929-December 1931
  2. Emmanuel’s Messenger 1932-1937

Emmanuel’s Messenger 1/9/1938-12/11/1938

Emmanuel’s Messenger 1/9/1938-10/8/1939

Emmanuel’s Messenger 1/1/1939-10/15/1939

  1. Emmanuel Newsletter April 1987-December 1988
  2. Miscellaneous Emmanuel’s Messengers
  3. Newspaper Clippings
  4. Plat Maps
  5. Ephemera
  6. 170th Anniversary Photo Album (contents removed and put in folder)
  7. 170th Anniversary Photo Album (contents removed and put in folder)
  8. Emmanuel Hessville Photo Album (contents removed and put in folder)
  9. Photo Album (content removed and put in folder)
  10. Miscellaneous Photographs

Scrapbook

 

Box 8

Printing Block of Rev. C.H. Althoff

Cut of Church Building

The Jerusalem Bible

Church Hymnal

German Hymnal

What an Altar Guild Should Know

A Practical Guide for Altar Guilds

The Life of Dr. Martin Luther

A Commentary Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments

Emmanuel Hessville Photo Album (contents removed and placed in folders)

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