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| It was in 1913 that the Rev. Max Braunersreuther became the pastor. Prior to this time the ministers had been called from whatever source they could be obtained as St. Thomas was a free church not associated with any synod. In August, 1913, the church became a part of the Wartburg Synod and remained a part of that organization until June 25, 1920. Meanwhile the congregation had been growing steadily both in numbers and financially.
In February, 1915 the congregation called Rev. Jacob F. Flegler to the pastorate, and in May of that year he began his labors here. His coming ushered in a period of radical change for the church. A very strict theologian, he was not too diplomatic and some of the changes he advocated were not received with full harmony, but he did engender the will to work. The first major change was in the form of congregational government. In the summer of 1915, the old trustee form of government was changed to the present form of church council. Under this plan the council is composed of eight members plus the pastor who serves as president. A new constitution for the congregation was adopted and connections with the Wartburg Synod were severed and St. Thomas became affiliated with the newly organized Indiana Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America. The need for a new temple of worship, one which would be large enough to accomodate the growing congregation, became apparent in the spring of 1920. Three lots were purchased on the corner of 9th and Franklin for a price of $5,500.00. Plans were drawn by the architect, Robert G. Gotwalt of Springfield, Ohio, and a drive for funds was begun. Organizations and members, as well as the Church Council, all joined in concerted effort to make their dream come true. Written records do not reveal the vast amount of effort, planning and many sacrifices, as well as the many hours of dedicated labor, that went into this very ambitious project, but the goal was finally met and construction started. |
| It was in 1913 that the Rev. Max Braunersreuther became the pastor. Prior to this time the ministers had been called from whatever source they could be obtained as St. Thomas was a free church not associated with any synod. In August, 1913, the church became a part of the Wartburg Synod and remained a part of that organization until June 25, 1920. Meanwhile the congregation had been growing steadily both in numbers and financially.
In February, 1915 the congregation called Rev. Jacob F. Flegler to the pastorate, and in May of that year he began his labors here. His coming ushered in a period of radical change for the church. A very strict theologian, he was not too diplomatic and some of the changes he advocated were not received with full harmony, but he did engender the will to work. The first major change was in the form of congregational government. In the summer of 1915, the old trustee form of government was changed to the present form of church council. Under this plan the council is composed of eight members plus the pastor who serves as president. A new constitution for the congregation was adopted and connections with the Wartburg Synod were severed and St. Thomas became affiliated with the newly organized Indiana Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America. The need for a new temple of worship, one which would be large enough to accomodate the growing congregation, became apparent in the spring of 1920. Three lots were purchased on the corner of 9th and Franklin for a price of $5,500.00. Plans were drawn by the architect, Robert G. Gotwalt of Springfield, Ohio, and a drive for funds was begun. Organizations and members, as well as the Church Council, all joined in concerted effort to make their dream come true. Written records do not reveal the vast amount of effort, planning and many sacrifices, as well as the many hours of dedicated labor, that went into this very ambitious project, but the goal was finally met and construction started. Also at this time the parsonage was in dire need of extensive remodeling and that too was accomplished. In the midst of all of this Rev. Flegler resigned to accept a call at Ruffsdale, Pa., but he remained on the field until excavation was well under way, leaving Mr. W. H. Wolberas superintendent of construction and the work went on with zeal. Being without a resident pastor, in the spring of 1923 the congregation temporarily called Rev. F. A. Kern of Weidner Institute to assist in directing the work and serving as a guide for the congregation in this momentous undertaking. The time had now arrived for the first ceremonial, the laying of the cornerstone. For this portion of the story we go to the files of THE BROOKVILLE AMERICAN of May 10, 1923, for the account. |
CORNERSTONE Of The New Lutheran Church Laid Sunday Afternoon With Appropriate Ceremonies |
"Sunday, May 6th, 1923, marks an epoch in the history of St. Thomas Lutheran Church of Brookville, Indiana, the occasion being the laying of the cornerstone of the $50,000.00 edifice now under construction. The congregation and friends assembled at the old church at 2:30 p. m. and formed ranks to march to the new church lot. At three o'clock the bell was tolled and the procession moved on with "Comrades" and "Winners", the young men's and young women's Sunday School classes, in the lead, carrying a spread American flag and a cedar wreath to adorn the cornerstone. "A large crowd had gathered at the grounds and upon arrivalof the procession, Dr. Kern of Mulberry, Indiana, the supply pastor, who had charge of the service, announced the opening song, "Beautiful Savior". Rev. John Gardner, Indianapolis, then read the 84th Psalm and was followed by prayer by Rev. Delco of Oxford, Ohio. Dr. Kern then delivered the address for the occasion, basing his remarks upon the 28th chapter of Genesis. After the address, four deacons passed among the crowd and received a very liberal offering while "The Church's One Foundation" was sung by the audience. "After a few comments on each, the following articles were placed in a metal box and deposited in the receptacle chiseled out of the cornerstone, ready to be sealed: A German Bible, an English Bible, Luther's Catechism, a Constitution of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, the church's last year's report, a folder of the last confirmation class, a printed sermon,"In Memoriam of Henry N. Heeb" (a member who gave his life on the battlefield of France), a copy of THE LUTHERAN of May 3, 1923, a copy of THE BROOKVILLE AMERICAN and a copy of THE BROOKVILLE DEMOCRAT, a short sketch of the recent drive to raise funds for the new church, a brief history of St. Thomas Lutheran Church from its beginning until the present time and finally the names of the officers of the church in all its departments. The stone was then sealed by Mr. Charles Horn, the mason in charge. "To complete the ceremony, Rev. Kern, as pastor in charge; Rev. Gardener, a representative of Indiana Synod; Rev. Delco, visiting pastor; Mr. William Borne, vice president of the Church Council; Mr. Harry Klemme, S. S. Supt.; Mrs. Mary Gnahn, president of the Ladies Aid; Mrs.W. H. Wolber, president of the Missionary Society; and Mr. Charles Horn, mason in charge, each tapped the stone three times after some appropriate remark, greeting or Bible verse was quoted. "Greetings from neighboring pastors who had been invited but who could not be here were announced. Local ministers from other denominations were invited to participate and Rev. Larmore of the M. E. Church and Rev.Shockley of the Christian Church, responded with felicitations and greetings in behalf of their congregations. The audience united in the Lord's Prayer, Dr. Kern pronounced the benediction and the service was concluded by singing the Doxology. "The crowd in attendance was variously estimated from 600 to 850 people. "As the bell of the little church in the cemetery tolled on that day it was doing more than starting the procession to the new church. It tolled the passing of an era. The little church in the cemetery, as a Lutheran Church although it would continue to house the congregation for a few more months, was now a matter of history and many of the things which had characterized it would be no more. "No more would the old custom of the men sitting on one side of the church while the women sat on the other side find its place in the worship services. Although this had ceased some time prior to this date it characterized a custom held for many years. "No more would the services be said or sung in German. The German language was no more the language of the people, and few of the young people could either understand or speak the language, while even their elders seldom, if ever, used the language of their forefathers. The realization of this just a few months before, caused the congregation to become an English Lutheran Congregation rather than a German Lutheran. "No more would the "Kaffee Klatsch" be used as a means of earning money for the Ladies Aid. No more would the colorful Christmas Night programs of German and English recitations and songs and the great Christmas tree be the principal highlight of the nativity season. "The little church, surrounded by the graves of the pioneers of the community, scene of gay weddings, inspiring sermons and sorrowful funerals, would no longer play a part in Lutheranism in Brookville. The bell that day tolled not only the end of an era, but also tolled the beginning of a new and more vigorous period of religious growth than any of the Saints of the early days could ever imagine. A vigorous, growing congregation and a new temple of worship designed to help perpetuate the faith in this community, was now a reality." |
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