History of Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church
Presentation to the Annandale History Club
August 1, 2005
Edna Glenske & Luella Dammann 

Fifteen members of the Annandale History Club gathered at Concordia Church in Fair Haven.  Our hosts were Edna Glenske, Luella Dammann, Dorothy Kersten, and Pastor Tim Nerud (new pastor since June 26, 2005).  Edna and Luella read the highlights of  church history from the 1987 100th Anniversary booklet, followed by a tour of the beautiful sanctuary and refreshments in the fellowship hall.

The following are some highlights of Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church history:   

1882-83: Pastor Vetter, traveling missionary from the Missouri Synod, held services in the homes of Fred Markwardt, Herman Lueders, and Heinrich Rathje.  Each family in attendance provided their own benches (rough planks).  Pastor Kolbe, at that time pastor at Howard Lake, took over spiritual care until a pastor was called.

1887: Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation organized April 3, 1887. The first pastor called was the Reverend C. L.Wuggazer.  Services were held at the parsonage and at the Baptist church (now the First Christian Church).  Members built their own parsonage at a cost of not more than $550.  Fair Haven (Concordia) and Corinna Township ( Zion ) formed a dual parish (1887-1889).

Early records are not exact with reference to charter members.  The following list includes those who are known to have been among the earliest Lutheran settlers and founders of Concordia:  Heinrich Richmeyer, Wilhelm Wode, Henry Stueck, James Ferrier, Fred Markwardt, Henry May, C. E. Weber, Herman Lueders, August May, William Rochrich, William Proesch, M.D., Fritz Tube, Peter Von Heel, Carl Muehring, Heinrich Rathje, and Henry Sinseman.

The congregation incorporated October 29, 1887.

First baptism: Eduard Heinrich Schmidt, March 6, 1887.

First confirmation class: May 22, 1887 Anna Luedtke.  June 5, 1887 Eduard Wenzel, Samuel Kuhnley, Carl Kuhnley, Adreas Wenzel, and Lisette Kuhnley.

1888: First burial: Infant of Friedrich and Friedrike Markwardt was given Christian burial on November 30, 1888.

1890: First marriage Wilhelm Maurer and Anna Eickmeyer married on April 7, 1890.

1892: Concordia joined the Missouri Synod. 

1893: Rented Adventists Church for $1 per month for six months.

1896: The first church building purchased for use by Concordia Lutheran Church was on property which formerly belonged to the Fair Haven School District (now Fair Haven Estates).

1897: Purchased the old Methodist Church building located where the present Concordia church stands.  In 1918, the former Methodist church building was moved to its present location to make room for the new Concordia structure. The first church purchased was moved to the new property in 1897 and used as the ChristianDay School.   

1898: Zion Lutheran Church congregation separated from Concordia to form a separate parish and called Pastor G. Waack.

1899: Block 51 of the Townsite of Fair Haven was purchased, and an old brick house on the property was remodeled for a parsonage. This house, after several remodelings, still serves as the Concordia parsonage.

1912: Parsonage remodeled. 25th anniversary of the congregation celebrated. 

Rev. Henry Weseloh helped establish the Eden Valley Church.  Pastor Weseloh conducted services in Fair Haven, Kimball, and Eden Valley, traveling by horses and sometimes making the trip on the Soo Line.  There were services morning, afternoon and evening.  World War I postponed building of new church.

1918: In February, the Concordia congregation renewed plans and decided to build a new church of brick and stone.  The building committee was John Luehmann, John Matthees, Emil Senske, and Pastor Lueck.  Ground was broken May 18.  The basement was dug with horses and scoops, and blocks hauled from St. Cloudusing horses.  The new church was dedicated December 1918 (debt free).  A horse barn, open on the south side, was located on the north side of the church. 

1925: English service initiated last Sunday of the month.  Before that all services were in German.  Electric lights in church and parsonage.  More land purchased for additional parking.

1928: Church bell cracked.  New bell purchased from St. Louis Bell Foundry.

1932: Additional English services added. 

1934: Concordia Cemetery started.  Virginia Dammann was the first burial in cemetery on January 7, 1934. Sunday School was organized under the direction of Pastor W. F. A. Lueck.  Ladies Aid and Mission Society organized.  32 ladies signed the constitution. 

1935: The Concordia Christian Day school was discontinued, having served the congregation well in its program of Christian Education.

1937: 50th anniversary.

1940: Pastor W.F.A. Lueck died.  He served Concordia for 23 years, the longest pastorate in Concordia's history.

1943: 25th anniversary of dedication of present church.

1946: 60th anniversary of church.  New Hammond electric organ purchased to replace pump organ.  Communion rail added.  Parsonage remodeled and modernized.

1950: During Pastor Kothe's tenure (1950-1960), the church was redecorated and three acres were added to cemetery.

1960: Steeple and cross repaired.  Tuck pointing done.  On November 7, 1960, it was voted to discontinue German services (German services were down to one Sunday a month).

1980: New addition of fellowship hall and kitchen completed.

1987: Celebrated 100 years.   

1990: Church accommodates about 240.  Additional chairs brought in some Sundays.

1995: Elevator added.  

2005: Parsonage remodeled.  Pastor Tim Nerud ordained and installed June 26.

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PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED CONCORDIA

Rev. C. L. Wuggazer  1887-1888

Rev. F. Steyer             1889-1892

Rev. Karl zumHagen  1892-1896

Rev. R. W. Michla      1896-1902

Rev. F. S. Wenger      1902-1906

Rev. H. W. Weseloh  1906-1917

Rev. W. F. A. Lueck   1917-1940

Rev. J. H. Beck           1941-1950

Rev. H. Kothe             1950-1960

Rev. M. J. Schedler    1961-1965

Rev. Floyd Kruger      1965-1972

Rev R. H. Krueger      1973-1981

Rev. Karl Ansorge      1976-1981

Rev. Scott Schuett      1983-1986

Rev. Norm Hanan       1987-2004

Rev. Tim Nerud           2005-

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