history

 Remember Our Past-50 Years Together-Envision Our Future

Southminster opened its doors September 15, 1957. More than 100 persons attended the church school and worship services.

Southminster’s history begins many months before the opening of the doors of the new church. It all really began in the fall of 1956 when the Metropolitan Church Federation of Greater St. Louis granted to the United Presbyterian Church of North America permission to establish a church in this community. The Board of American Missions bought the present church site and advanced the money to build the chapel unit and make a down payment on the manse.  The Presbytery of Southern Illinois cooperated in these efforts and in January 1957, it assigned the Rev. William E. Butler to Southminster Church as a missionary.
 
The Rev. Butler, a native of of St. Louis , came here from LaGrange , IL . He, along with James Jeans, Westell Neu and Chris Senes, represented Southminster Church at the ground breaking ceremonies on February 17, 1957. Pastors of other area churches were also present. Since it had already been decided to organize the congregation after the church had been built with the mission funds, the Rev. Butler held no formal church services until the church opened.

The first building, costing approximately $68,000, was a fleur-de-lis chapel seating 125, with six department rooms plus kitchen and fellowship areas. The manse is a one-story, six-room house at 8744 Fox Park Drive. Purchase price was approximately $17,000.

On September 22, 1957, 53 prospective members met at the church. After they had answered affirmatively the questions set forth in the Book of Government, they signed the roll. By the end of December, 73 more members were added to the rolls. On March 30, 1958, the provisional session declared the 178 persons registered as charter members. The following 38 charter members are still on the active rolls.
 
Janet and William Berry                                                     Ruth Honer  
Billie and James Blaine                                                     Melburn Johnston
Betty and James Bowers                                                   Verna and William Kenner  
Aimee and Lawrence Breucklander                                Rachel and Ken Luttrell 
Lois Ann (San) Burns                                                         Gloria and Robert Otto  
Annette Clover                                                                      Moyne and Donald Quinn   Allalie and Ferd Del Pizzo                                                                      Mable Rola 
Shirley and John Dull                                                         Gloria and Ray Routh  
Carolyn and Wesley Finke                                                 Marjorie Schmidt
Elsie and Warren Frank                                                     Elizabeth and Chris Senes  
Myrna Greenway                                                                  Ed Wendel 
Sue and Jack Griffin
 
The early Church functioned with only a Board of Elders -- no Deacons or Trustees. A Finance Committee was established to handle the insurance, income, payments and budget for the fledgling Church. A Service Committee was set up to handle building grounds’ maintenance. Very little grading had been done to place the chapel unit on the long, narrow lot -- and, because houses were not as yet built adjacent to the Church, the entire lot was graded as level as possible to establish a playground for children of those persons moving into new homes in the area. A large cistern remaining from the original farm (Oswald Sturdy) and   part of the foundation of the original farm house had to be filled to level the land .

The area behind the Church was heavily wooded and was the home for many rabbits, quail, birds and deer (spotted by neighbors on occasion). The Service Committee held Saturday work sessions -- floors were scrubbed, windows washed and the Church facility was completely maintained by the membership.

The Women’s Association was formed in 1957 to support the mission of the church, to help one another grow in Christian faith and understanding and to act in Christian concern in the company of God’s people everywhere.

 IN 1958  
Before the Church was formally organized, the provisional session carried on the business of the Church. On January 18 the following elders and deacons were ordained and installed: Elders -- William Briggs, Ed Burns, John Dale, Wesley Finke, Hayward Gray, Jim Jeans, Elmer Sanders, Chris Senes and Herbert Steinkemeyer; Deacons-- Kenneth Banks, Marion Briesacher, Robert Fields, Myrna Greenway, J. O. Huggins, Robert Kitzsteiner, Rae Luttrell, Donald Quinn and Henry Steffen.
 
The first wedding was held in our chapel on January 16. The Rev. Butler performed the ceremony for Sigurd Jensen and Marie Kron. The first communicant instruction classes and official receptions for new members were begun.
 
In May the men of the Church met to organize a group to cement better relationships among the men and to promote projects of the various boards and committees of the Church. They met each month for dinner served by a circle of the Women’s Association. The Men’s Club provided the Christmas decorations that year and also published the first Church directory on the first anniversary of the Church. The Church School averaged 125-185 with an adult class averaging 35 in attendance. Twenty-two teachers volunteered to teach in our first Summer Vacation Bible School .
 
IN 1959
Southminster officially began operation as part of the St. Louis Presbytery of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America on January 19. Two church services were held -- 8:30 A.M. and 11 A.M. Mrs. Hazel Aldag was hired as organist and choir director.

Under the leadership of Chris Taylor, Boy Scout Troop #724 had 10 members in April.

Girl Scout Troop #626 sponsored by the Women’s Association begin meeting in September with 32 girls. Ruth Stout was their leader.
 
 IN 1960
In June the Rev. Butler asked the St. Louis Presbytery to be released as “State of Supply” Minister to accept a call to West Side Church of Monmouth, Il. He left on August 14. Our Church hosted guest ministers until the Rev. Kenneth E. Hindman was called from Macon , MO , and was installed December 11.
The session authorized the new minister to hold communicant classes for senior high groups for a period of 10 weeks and to hold meetings six or seven times a year for adults who wished to join the Church.
 
 IN 1961
On January 8 the session moved to have worship services at 9:30 and 11 A.M. Church School was held at 9:30 A.M.
 
Southminster Nursery School was begun on September 5 with an enrollment of 10 four and five-year olds and 15 three-year olds. Credit for the creation of a  
weekday nursery school belongs to Carol Lattner who saw a need and expressed a desire to see such a facility established at the Church. She was its first director and lead teacher with Mary Jo McQuality as her assistant.
 
The Christian Education building was dedicated on September 24.  Back in 1959 a Building Study Committee was formed to study the future requirements of the Church because the “amazing rate of growth in the City of Crestwood is proof in itself of the mounting Christian responsibility falling upon the shoulders of our Church”.  
 
The new building included a fellowship hall that provided dining space for 225 persons or an assembly room for 325, a kitchen and three smaller assembly rooms having a total seating capacity of approximately 125. The building cost was approximately $96,300.
 
The Rev. and Mrs. Hindman took the senior high students on their first group outing to Missouri Presbyterian Colleges from November 24 through 26.
 
Junior High communicants class was started this year. The 9:30 A. M. Church School classes were too large and members were urged to come to worship service at 11 A.M. with their children.
 
1962 - 1982 Highlights 
Mary Jo McQuality assumed directorship of the Nursery School with Donna  Shannon and Edith Kephart as assistants in the fall of 1962.
 
On September 19, 1965, the first worship services were held in the Fellowship Hall because the chapel was no longer large enough to accommodate the congregation. At the time two worship services and two church schools were held every Sunday -- a practice that continued until the new sanctuary was erected.

The Church functioned with the standard Presbyterian style government until Rev. Hindman asked Jack Dull to prepare a new style church government that would improve communication between the boards. More than a dozen drafts of a new semi-unicameral government were written and presented to the session, sometimes at regular meetings and other times the Thompson Retreat House was used for these meetings. Mr. Dull left the session before the final draft was written by Bill Johnson and approved and the Church has been governed by the Commissions to this day.

 In the summer of 1968, two new assistant Nursery School teachers were hired --both Mrs. Shannon and Mrs. Kephart moved away from the area. The new teachers were Gloria Varnum and Marianne Vincent.

 The Rev. Hindman was called to a new ministry in Dubuque , IA in April of 1969. His assistant, the Rev. Bob Clary, remained as our pastor until we called the Rev. David Rowland from Struthers , OH . The Rev. Rowland was installed on March 8, 1970.

In 1970 the need for a sanctuary was apparent to the congregation and on September 20, members met on the chapel grounds between worship services to hold a brief ground breaking ceremony to signify the beginning of construction of the new sanctuary.

The cost of the new building was approximately $310,000 excluding the inside “finishing touches”. Early in the planning of the new sanctuary the session set up a committee for “memorials and special gifts” as the vehicle to obtain needed hymnbooks, choir robes, communion table accessories, flower stands and vases, etc. Special gifts were asked from members and those who wished could make the gift in memory of a loved one. The Memorial Fund is still serving all of us at Southminster and presently gifts are being made to the David Rowland Fund for the purchase of a new organ.

The first worship service in the new sanctuary took place on August 22,1971. Dedication ceremonies were held the evening of September 19. The building committee, having completed its assigned task, presented to the officers and members of the congregation plans and keys representing a building ready to be set apart for sacred use.

The Men’s Fellowship was dissolved in December of 1975 because of lack of interest and poor attendance. However, in the winter of 1982 a Men’s Association was reactivated. Currently the men meet the first Saturday of each month in homes of members. Their meetings are devoted to Bible study, fellowship and service.

 Southminster has had moments of evangelism that were certainly worthwhile. Our Deacons organized call groups who canvassed Providence Park when these neighborhoods were reasonably new. Several dozen new members resulted -- the new members reception was one of the largest ever held.

Southminster also canvassed for other new churches beginning in St. Louis   County, and many new members became part of the Church from these weekend- time investments.

During Southminster’s history, missions have been a major concern of our Session. Income has not always equaled budget or anticipated expenses and mission giving. One year the Session bypassed paying all outstanding bills for two months in order to meet our mission money pledge both for local and foreign requirements.

For several years there were two or three Bible Study groups active in our congregation. The Deacons voted to nurture new groups and within a few months nearly 200 persons were involved in individual study groups meeting in the homes at times and frequencies as decided by the group.
 
In January, 1972, the name of our Presbytery became the Presbytery of Elijah Parish Lovejoy.

In the fall of 1976, the Congregational Life Commission asked the session to approve the organization of a senior citizen’s organization because of the need in our community. The state offices of A.A.R.P. were contacted and a chapter was formed and given permission to meet the second Tuesday of each month in our Fellowship Hall.

Vacation Bible School was united with the school of the neighboring Baptist Church in 1976 because so few children were attending our school.
 
The 20th anniversary of our Church was celebrated in October 1977 at a reception following church services.
 
Mark Schroeder, an Eden Seminary student, was hired in August 1979 as youth director.
 
On August 22, 1981, our pastor, David Rowland, died while on vacation. The Rev. Ray J. Walther was hired on November 2, 1981, as an interim minister for one year. A pastoral search committee is presently seeking the services of a permanent pastor.

John and Shirley Dull donated framed pictures of our four pastors and two assistant pastors.

                                                   25th Anniversary History written by Neva Wasson. published 1982
 
The Eighties
A special congregational meeting was held November 21, 1982. The congregation gave the Reverend Joseph A. Marting a unanimous call and he was installed January 15, 1983. Charter member the late Bob Otto was chairman of the pastoral nominating committee.
 
A new organ -- a Rogers 890 electronic, was dedicated December 5, 1982 in memory of the Reverend David J. Rowland.

The Reverend Ray J. Walther, interim pastor, went to Bonhomme Presbyterian Church in December, 1982.

In 1983 the Presbytery of Elijah Parish Lovejoy was changed to Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy.
 
In the summer of 1983 Pastor Joe decided to give Vacation Bible School another try at Southminster and over 77 youngsters in the neighborhood attended.
 On July 8, 1984 the session formed the GEM (Gifts, Endowments & Memorial) Committee -- the late Richard Claus, Gerald Smith, John Smith, Gretchen Huston and William Johnson were elected to the committee. It’s goal was to reach $100,000 by 1997. After that milestone, all the interest received from the fund would provide funds for extraordinary needs outside the regular church budget.
 
We changed to increase the numbers of elected Deacons to 13 -- 11 to be adult church members with three-year terms, two for two-year terms coming from senior high age group.

Mark Schroeder, youth director, left in May, 1983 and Don Ellerman became youth director in August, 1983.

Two worship services were started in the fall of 1985. The membership had grown to 740 but dropped to 646 in 1986.

Stephen Shive became assistant pastor in September 1985. He was called in January 1987 and Sam Peters became interim associate pastor in March 1987. He left in April 1988.

The Crestwood-Sunset Hills Meals on Wheels program was begun in October 1985. Volunteers have prepared and delivered over 127,509 meals through May 2007.

The Church celebrated its 30th anniversary September 13, 1987 with a catered luncheon. Two hundred four attended.

The Stephen Ministry was formed in April 1987 and 19 members were commissioned for the program on February 1988.

Dale Webb became an associate pastor in June 1988 and left in July of 1990.

At a special congregational meeting June 12, 1988 the members voted to support the concept and scope of the building expansion program as presented and elected a Finance Committee and Building Committee.

In January 1989 the Women’s Association began a Meal-A-Month program for the church.

In April 1989 the session changed the by laws to elect 21 elders, seven each year so three elders could serve on one of the seven commissions. The commissions are: Congregational Life, Christian Education, Evangelism , Mission and Stewardship, Planning, Worship and Property and Finance. Any church member may serve on one of the commissions except the Property and Finance where they must be elected.

The congregation passed a resolution June 11, 1989 to move ahead with the expansion plan for the church’s new Christian Education building and Family Life Center : cost not to exceed $!,025,000. A Ground Breaking Ceremony and pot luck lunch followed the Church services on October 8, 1989.  

The Nineties
Longtime choir director John Jewell resigned in August 1990 and was replaced by Sylvia Stewart later in the year.

Dedication of the new facilities was held on August 26, 1990. Total cost was $1,026,463.55.  

William Prichard was hired as Minster of Education and Youth in September 1990. He resigned in August 1994.

The hand bell or carillon choir was begun in June 1991 directed Sylvia Stewart Bowling who still directs the group.

Bill Warhover became Minister of Education and Youth in September 1994. Charlie Plant was hired as Parish Associate in January 1997.

Sylvia Stewart Bowling retired as minister of Music in April 1997. Bruce Walker was her replacement.
 
In 1995 the new Southminster Presbyterian Church sign was put in place in time for Christmas. It was paid for with monies from two memorial funds plus an anonymous donation and Interest monies received on the funds in the GEM accounts. By this time the Committee had reached $50,000 or 50 per cent of its goal and could use half of the yearly interest monies.
 
Patti Mathews volunteered her service as a pianist to the choir in 1996 following years of volunteer service by Ethel Koupal. The position became a paid one a few years later. Patti also plays the keyboard for the Worship Celebration service and is presently interim worship arts director.
 
The church celebrated its 40th anniversary September 21, 1997 with a special service featuring the Reverend Doctor Ken Hindman followed by a luncheon in the Christian Family Life Center for 270 members and guests.
 
On January 11, 1998 a reception was held in honor of Pastor Joe’s 15th year at Southminster. In 1998 the active member list was 666.
 
In July 1998 Stephanie Knopf was chosen as Director of Christian Education. Charlie Plant left Southminster in January 1999 and Bill Warhover resigned in July 1999 to attend Dubuque Presbyterian Seminary.

In November 1999 the Reverend Dr. Karen L. Blanchard became a Parish Associate and Elizabeth (Beth) Damsgaard became Minster of Youth and Hands-on- Mission in August 1999.

 Into the next century 2000
Ellen Marting , one of Pastor Joe’s twin daughters, accepted a summer internship with Southminster.

 The stained glass window in the back of the sanctuary was dedicated at both services in April 2000. It is a memorial to Mildred Burkhart.

In September 2000, The Reverend Carol Keating replaced the Reverend Blanchard as Parish Associate.

On Sunday, September 16, 2001 the Contemporary Service was started in the Christian Life Fellowship Hall and moved to the sanctuary in May 2002.
 
In January 2001 membership totaled 686. 
 
VISION 2020
On December 10, 2001, the session adopted the following to be our official Vision Statement to lead our church in to the year 2020. “To be a valid, vital, and victorious church for Jesus Christ in the year 2020, we believe our church must become a church for all ages.”
 
James Earl “Chip” Thompson, Jr. became Minister of Youth and Hands-On-Mission in February, 2003 to replace Beth Damagaard Rodriquez.

The church celebrated Pastor Joe’s 20th anniversary as our pastor on February 23, 2003.

Stephanie Knopf, Minister of Christian Education, resigned in April 2004 to attend seminary and was feted at a reception. Forty-plus-year organist Marge Schroeder resigned in May 2004 and she too was given a warm reception. Jackie Kremer became the interim minister of Christian Education in May 2004.
 
In February 2005 Chip Thompson left his position as minster of Youth and Hands-on-Mission and Bill Thomas was hired as interim Minister of Youth and Hand-On-Mission.
 
In March 2005 the session approved the final revision of the position of the Co-Pastor for Emerging Ministry and mailed it to the congregation. At a meeting held April 17, 2005 the congregation approved the position . A Pastoral Nominating Committee was chosen with Rich Basham named chairman.
 
On Sunday, September 25, 2005 a reception was held for Parish Associate Carol Keating who had taken a full-time position.
 
An Appreciation reception was held for Seminary Intern Kelly Standing who had been working at Southminster 10 hours a week for the past year and for Interim Minster of Youth Bill Thomas and Interim Minister of Christian Education Jackie Kremer on September 10, 2006.
 
The Reverend David Garrison became the Co-pastor at Southminster on October 1, 2006. He was installed on November 12.
 
Minister of Music Bruce Walker resigned in October, 2006 and was replaced by Larry Charpiot . La Nita Vogt accepted the position of Volunteer-in-mission for “Hands on Mission ”.
 
On January 7, 2007 the contemporary worship service time was changed to 10:55 a.m. and the name changed to Worship Celebration.
 
 A Children ’s Ministry Intern, Jenny Frederich, came aboard in March 2007.
 
Charter member update
In July 2007 eight charter members out of 178 are still on the roll book - - Betty and James Bowers, Aimee and Lawrence Breuklander,Carolyn and Wes Finke, Ruth Honer and Gloria Otto.
 
Southminster Facts
In 1986 Southminster received the deed from Presbyterian USA General Capital Loan Program on the American Mission Donation Grant #262 for the original property. The initial loan has been repaid in full to Presbytery.
 
 In 1996 the GEM Committee reached its $100,000 mark and began spending all interest on church related projects not covered by the budget. To date it has funded along with other memorial contributions to over 40 projects.
 
In 2006 following a survey by the Presbytery of Giddings/Lovejoy Southminster was 8th in membership of the 99 churches that are served by the Presbytery. Southminster came in Fourth in the fastest growing category and second in “top growing churches by net gain” - +42.
 
Vacation Bible School has thrived over the years -- last year we had 140 youngsters and 95 volunteers.
 
The nursery school was replaced by the Mother’s Day Out program in late ‘80s. The program reaches out into the community to provide Christian care for children, including preschool, and provides a service for the parents in the area.
 
Youth Groups
Middle Schoolers
This group meets throughout the year for regular fun nights, special activities, service projects and an annual mission trip in July.
 
Senior Highs
From 1961-1969, the senior high groups spent about a week each year visiting Presbyterian Colleges. From 1976 to 1982 the group participated in some form of work at Presbyterian camps and churches. Mission work and trips in June became a part of its function in the mid eighties and continues today plus service projects and food, fellowship, fun and laughter.
 
Young Adults
This fellowship group of young adults of college and career age focuses on expanding and sharing their faith and plan a yearly mission trip in late May.
 
Seminarians
Southminster has had six adults graduate from church seminaries: Jodie Blood Robbins (who was the first and is retired), Cheryl Armstrong, Clark Vincent, Bill Warhover, Ellen Marting and Stephanie Knopf. Kelly Standing is studying at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago . Except for Jodie Robbins all the others were influenced and guided by Pastor Joe.
 
Hands-On-Mission
As a reflection of God’s love and grace, members of Southminster offer time and talents in God’s Service by participating in various hands-on- missions.
 
Annual fall toy assembly: Chris Taylor, in 1997, began a program for the men of the church. Chris and Martin Diertrich and Bob Zohner cut, sand and finish the wood pieces for 150 each of doll cradles, toolboxes and chalkboards. The men assemble them to be distributed by the BRO organization, which gives them to children at Christmas.
 
Pilgrim Soup Kitchen: The Pilgrim Congregational UCC on Union Blvd., started preparing and serving lunch every Wednesday to the less fortunate in the community in 1982. For the past seven years our volunteers have served lunch to 80-90 people the last Wednesday of each month.
 
Isaiah 58 Food Pantry: Established in 1968, the Isaiah 58 ministries serves the low-income families in the Compton Heights area. Southminster donates food through the “Get Off You Can” program, formerly Meal a Month, which asks members to donate two cans of food a week. The Mission Commission supports the program by donating $250 per month to purchase food items. Volunteers purchase food and deliver goods three-four times a month and then stock shelves and prepare bags of food. Ronald McDonald House: Volunteers from various groups prepare and serve dinner to 25-30 residents at the house on West Pine on the third Tuesday of each month.
 
Stephen Ministry Program
In May 1987 Pastor Joe called Barbara Dietrich, Joan Huisinga and Gerald Smith to take part in a two-week leadership training program for Stephen Ministers. Later that fall and into the next year nineteen members took a 16-week training session to be Stephen Ministers. The church has continued to have training sessions for new ministers and in 2007 there are 14 active members in the ministry program.
 
Care, Share and Coffee
This group was begun in 2002 to meet periodically to share with each other the joys, problems and emotions they were experiencing as they cared for love ones. The group enlarged its focus to the congregation to provide caregiving help to others and to provide information and resources on caregiving. The group started Care Teams in 2003. Each team of trained volunteers help church members during life- challenging times. Each team works together in a coordinated plan to offer hands-on practical, emotional and spiritual support. At Southminster Care Teams have helped members through recovery periods after surgery, transitions from home to assisting living or nursing home facilities and caring for triplets.
 
Women’s Association 
The longest active group within the church has been the Women’s Association. It was organized in the fall of 1957 with Elaine Stienkemeyer as its first president. In the beginning there were six circles that met monthly for fellowship and Bible study. However, because more women joined the work force the number of circles has dropped to three. The association also has regular monthly meetings and invites all women of the church to attend. Mission giving is encouraged in the circles through Two Cents A Meal, Thank Offering and Fellowship of the Least Coin. Funds to support the association programs are raised by the annual rummage sale, cookbook sales and the bridge marathons. The rummage sale began in 1985 by Mary Ann Donohoe and has been its main fund raiser ever since. The Bridge Marathon was started years ago by Eva Port and has continued to be a great source of fellowship and fund raising. The association has published four cookbooks over these 50 years and numerous recipe cards and publications that have funded many projects. The latest cookbook was published two years ago and is still available.
In January 1989 the Meal-A-Month program was started, headed by Gloria Varnum, and it still going strong. However, it is now known as “Get Off Your Can” program.
 
Alice Miller has supervised the kitchen for many years and keeps track of what it needed and makes sure the circles do kitchen cleaning, etc. The association is responsible for any funeral or wedding reception held at the church.

Each fall the group sponsors a Women’s Retreat that is well attended.

 Including present president Jean Prichard there have been 24 Women’s Association Presidents who have served the congregation faithfully.

In 2006 long time faithful and devoted board member Mary Jo  McQuality, the only two term president, was given the title of ex-offico board member.

Men’s Activities

The Promise Keepers, a men’s early morning Bible study meets with Pastor Joe every Thursday during the fall, winter and spring at 6:30 A.M. Gene Bowling started the group in 1994.

Also, a Men’s Retreat is held annually at Mound Ridge Camp and  Conference Center in April. They put in a day’s work on Saturday and use Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday morning for spiritual concerns.
 
Adult Fellowship Groups  
Empty Nesters was formed in 1970 to promote friendship an others.  It was later disbanded and other groups were started.

 The 30+/- : These members get together for a number of social events each year -- some activities are for members of the group and some for members and their children.

Boomers:  This group ranges in age from 45 to 60 and meets once a month for social activities.
 
In Betweeners: The members in this group are generally age 60+. They plan a variety of special events yearly.
 
Southminster Presbyterian Church 50th Anniversary Steering Committee 
In May 2006 the Session approved a 50th Anniversary Steering Committee to plan for Southminster’s Golden Jubilee in September 2007. The committee was headed by Helen Smith, church historian; and included Neva Wasson, Crestwood historian; Linda Willman , Property and Finance; Julie Jordan , technical knowledge and drama experience; Joan Huisinga, co-chair Presbyterian History Team and Dorie Trotter, GEM member. It met regularly for over a year and its plans and efforts were well received. The biggest project of all was the planning, implementing and funding of the stained glass window at the front of the sanctuary. The committee would like to thank everyone who is participating and taking part in this celebration. The window, which is a memorial to both current and former members and their loved ones, will be enjoyed for many, many years to come. It was dedicated on Sunday, September 16, 2007.
 
 Pastors
William E. Butler ---- “state of supply” Sept. 1, 1957 - Aug. 15, 1960 
Kenneth E. Hindman ----Dec. 11, 1960 - April 15, 1969 
David J. Rowland ---- Mar. 8, 1970 - Aug. 22, 1981 
Ray J. Walther ---- interim minister Nov. 1981 - Dec. 1982 
Joseph A. Marting ---- Jan 15, 1983 - present (became Co-pastor Oct. 1, 2006) 
David Garrison ---- Oct. 1, 2006 - present (Co-pastor)
 
Assistant Pastors 
Robert Clary ---- Jan. 1, 1968 - Dec. 1, 1969 (called)
Walter Smith ---- Sept 28, 1972 - July 31, 1975 (called)
Stephan Shive ---- Sept. 1985 - Jan. 1987 (called)
 
Associate Pastors
Sam Peters ---- March 1987 - April 1988 (interim) (called) 
Dale Webb ---- June 1988 - July 1990 (called)
 
Parish Associates
Charlie Plant ---- January 1997 - January 1999
Karen L. Blanchard ---- November 1999 - September 2000
Carol Keating ---- September 2000 - September 2005
 
Youth Directors
Mark Schroeder ---- August 1979 - May 1983
Don Ellerman ---- August 1983 - January 1985
 
Ministers of Education and Youth
William Prichard ---- September 1990 - August 1994
Bill Warhover ---- September 1994 - June 1998
 
Directors of Christian Education
Stephanie Knopf ---- July 1998 - April 2004
Jackie Kremer ---- May 2004 - September 2006 (interim)
 
Ministers of Youth and Hands on Mission
Elizabeth Damsgaard Rodriquez ---- Aug. 1999 - Dec. 2002
James “Chip” Thompson ---- Feb. 2003 - Feb. 2005
Bill Thomas ---- Feb. 2003 - Sept. 2006 (interim)
 
Volunteer in Mission for Hands of Mission 
La Nita Vogt ---- October 2006 - present
 
Children ’s Ministry
Jenny Frederich --- March 2007 - 2008 (Intern)
 
Clerks of the Session 
Wesley Finke
Grace Mueller
Aimee Breuklander 
Lucille Jacobs
Art Gilleran
Les Brinner
Richard Wasson
Linda Willman
Ferdinand Del Pizzo
Jim Bowers
Bertha Scott
Maureen Spence
Randy Alltag
 
Church School Superintendents
Milton Daily
Mary Jo McQuality
Allalie Del Pizzo
Gene Jewell
Kay Greenway
Dorie Trotter
Howard Tippee
Ray Rosenthal
Mel Christianer
Gerald Smith
Mary Schaefer
 
Choir Directors
Nancy Eschbach
Carolyn Parmenter
Hazel Aldag
John Jewell
Blye Vaughn
Sylvia Stewart Bowling
William Repperger
Bruce Walker
Robert Gardne
Larry Charpiot
Patty Hasenmueller 
 
Church Organists
Walter Eschbach
Marge King Schroeder
Hazel Aldag
Yvonne Sullivan
Glendora Lanning
Anna Brandt
Tim Price
Dr. Rex Brown
 
Church Pianist 
Patti Mathews
 
 
Church Trivia
94 members have served as Trustees
259 members have served as Deacons
279 members have served as Elders
278 marriages have been performed plus 11 renewals
2902 persons have signed our membership roles as of May 2007
The first child baptized in our church was Scott Finke, son of Charter Members Wes and Carolyn Finke
 
Membership 
 March 1958 158 Charter Members
January 1967 754 Active Members
January 1978 667 Active Members
January 1989 748 Active Members
January 1999 652 Active Members
January 2006 624 Active Members