The earliest known records pertaining to a Lutheran congregation in the Bath area is the baptism of 4 children in 1845. Services were held in the homes of settlers being served by itinerant Lutheran pastors and by pastors serving in a Lutheran congregation in Beardstown, IL. Later services were held in the small village south of Lake Matanzas. This is why the church later became known locally as the Matanzas Lutheran Church.
The first resident pastor, Rev. P. D. Dahl, arrived in 1860. He lived with his family and held services about a mile and a half southwest of the present location. The first church building was constructed on the present site in 1861. Near the same time a small plot of land 1/8 mile south on the Kramer farm was purchased to use as a cemetery. The church bell which is used in the present structure was purchased in
In 1882 a six room parsonage was built with a cellar. Rev. W.G. Weissinger made the plans and supervised the work. Fred Umbach was the carpenter. All total the cost of the structure was $600.
In the 1880's a preaching station was started at the Chaney school near Popular City (six miles East of the church). Services were held at 2:30 every other Sunday. Services and responsibilities were often shared between the pastors at Matanzas, Bishop (St. John's, Topeka) and Havana (St. Pauls). The German school (8th grade confirmation instruction) was held at either of the three local Lutheran congregations. (More next week)
The current sanctuary was built in 1915.
The first resident pastor, Rev. P. D. Dahl, arrived in 1860. He lived with his family and held services about a mile and a half southwest of the present location. The first church building was constructed on the present site in 1861. Near the same time a small plot of land 1/8 mile south on the Kramer farm was purchased to use as a cemetery. The church bell which is used in the present structure was purchased in
In 1882 a six room parsonage was built with a cellar. Rev. W.G. Weissinger made the plans and supervised the work. Fred Umbach was the carpenter. All total the cost of the structure was $600.
In the 1880's a preaching station was started at the Chaney school near Popular City (six miles East of the church). Services were held at 2:30 every other Sunday. Services and responsibilities were often shared between the pastors at Matanzas, Bishop (St. John's, Topeka) and Havana (St. Pauls). The German school (8th grade confirmation instruction) was held at either of the three local Lutheran congregations. (More next week)
The current sanctuary was built in 1915.
