A Lutheran church will soon observe 150 years in its present building on Manitowoc’s southeast side.
First German Evangelical Lutheran is having an official celebration of faith, family and fellowship in its worship space at South 8th and Marshall Streets next month.
Seehafer News sat down recently with Pastors Maurice (Morris) Hoppe and Mark Johnston to discuss the significant milestone.
Hoppe is understandably excited about the anniversary observance to take place on Sunday, November 12th.
“I started planning probably last December so we’re putting all the pieces together,” he explained. “We have Uncle Pancake coming to serve an all you can eat pancake breakfast and it’s a free meal offering for those who’d like to come along with a number of choirs and a wonderful church service that day.”
There will be two worship services the morning of the ‘12th at 8:00 and 9:30am along with the pancake breakfast.
Pastor Johnston reflects on the number of important occasions hosted at the church since it was finished and dedicated to the glory of God on December 21, 1873.
“There have been thousands of babies that have been baptized in this church,” he said. “Thousands of young people have confirmed here and thousands of people buried as well as married here.”
Pastor Hoppe explained the original location of First German in 1855 was two blocks west.
“The original site was on over on 10th and Marshall, where the former Shulander’s Floral Shop was built,” he described. “That sight was picked originally but the elders at that time felt that was a little too far out of town. So, when it came time to the actual construction that sight was sold, and this sight was selected.”
Hoppe continued, “the congregation outgrew the building” and an interfaith sale was consummated for $650 with the local Catholic community.
But, the move blocks away was part of that story.
“The original building was moved by horse and logs up what is known as Polish Hill and bought by St. Mary’s Church,” he said. “And to this day that church has been utilized as a home on 20th Street in Manitowoc.”
A well-known feature of the present church is the clock and bells, which according to Johnston and Hoppe was intended to serve the greater good of the community and call people to worship.
Inside, the altar is the focal point of the sanctuary reminding all of the sacrifice Christ made for our sins while the elevated pulpit is original to the church.
During the celebration on Sunday morning, November 12th, a free-will offering at the breakfast is earmarked for the organ refurbishing fund, with the project expected to be completed in June or July of next year.
