EVANGELICAL INDEPENDENT
SCHIFFLEIN CHRISTI (GERMAN)
From: Jubilee Edition of Waechter und Anzeiger Newspaper 1902
In the midst of a dreadfully stormy period in April, 1835, the first steps were taken in Cleveland to found a German Evangelical Protestant congregation. Were these storms a preparation for the many storms which have passed over this congregation in the course of decades, as well as over the little band of German Protestants who braved the winds on April 26, 1835 to attend the meeting in which the founding of the congregation? Four days later F.J. Tanke was elected pastor for a year. In the following month Tanke traveled to New York to marry his bride and bring her back to Cleveland. During his absence a Mr. Buse, who was passing through, preached every Sunday. An important part of the congregation was so fond of Mr. Buse that they wanted to keep him there as pastor. This conjured up the first storm and the tumult of division threatened to destroy the congregation. When Pastor Tanke returned, he found the congregation split. He preached to the part remaining loyal to him in the Masonic Temple, while Buse held services in an empty shop. In that time a man learned in the scriptures by the name of W. Steinmeyer lived on a farm about 9 miles from the city. Pastor Tank repeatedly invited this man to preach. Steinmeyer accepted and rapidly won friends though his gift of speech. He managed to bring the congregation back together. The condition was that he should become preacher. A position was found for Pastor Tanke in Black River, which he accepted. Buse was revealed to be no good and to avoid a serious charge he fled the city. In August, 1838, Steinmeyer accepted a call to Phillipsburg.
His successor was Pastor C.A.H. Allardt. He remained in office until 1861. In 1842 a bridge church was built at the corner of Erie and Hamilton Street which received the title of “The Little Boat of Jesus.” Further storms were not lacking during his ministry, breaking out in 1858 when Pastor M. Steiner was called by the congregation as assistant pastor. He made himself very popular with the congregation, but could not get on well with his elder colleague and superior, and this led to another fracture in the congregation. With the help of his adherents, Pastor Steiner organized a new congregation which constructed a church on property belonging to the mother congregation on Scovill and Greenwood. This daughter congregation is the flourishing St. Paul’s Church, whose minister today is Pastor Eppens.
After Pastor Allardt laid down his office, Pastor W. Schmidt took over. A bad storm arose during his ministry as well, which once more tore away a piece. In 1868 there were disagreements which led to a portion of the congregation, including some of the oldest members, departing along with Pastor Schmidt to establish the First United Evangelical Protestant Church on Erie Street and Central Avenue. This congregation existed for about 30 years, during which it was beset by many storms. What the crises could not accomplish was done by the death of the old pillars of the community, leading to dissolution. Some of the remaining members joined St. Paul’s Evangelical Protestant Church, some the Second Reformed Church on Woodland Avenue and Putnam Street.
Pastor W. Purpos served from 1869 to 1873, and after him through 1875, Pastor H. Veith as minister of the Little Boat of Jesus. A Pastor Schornstein preached briefly in 1875, but he spoke so poorly that the congregation would not allow him to consecrate the new, splendid church on Superior Street (its present church). And it stormed again, and once more a piece of the congregation broke off. Members who departed founded Trinity Church, now headed by Pastor Kimmel.
From 1875 to 1878, Pastor C. Muench, from 1878 to 1879 Pastor Otto Telle, from 1879 to 1883 Pastor F. Buesser and from 1883 to January, 1891, Pastor John Andres were ministers. Heavy debts and the various splits had led to a declined membership, so by 1890 the existence of the congregation was placed in serious doubt. A total of $28,000 debts stood on the church property. The debt had been referred to a federal court and the church was supposed to be auctioned off. Under these circumstances, Pastor Friedrich von Schlumbach, who was so mourned when he died in summer last year, entered office. The court approved a delay of the auction and from then on there was a turn for the better. Pastor von Schlumbach succeeded in paying off the greater part of the debt. The congregation left the Evangelical Synod and took its earlier independent position. The schoolhouse behind the church was renovated, a new parsonage constructed and two large halls and other rooms built in the association building. A gymnasium was installed, the church and school painted, Dodge Street was paved. The congregation consists of 250 voting members. The death of Mr. von Schlumbach on May 28 of last year was a cause of mourning. Pastor H.H. Rippe of New York was called in August, 1901 and he has been minister since last September.
1835 - Schifflein Christi - Rev. Tanka
1835 – 1838 – Schifflein Christi – Hamilton and Erie, Rev. Steinmeyer
1838-1861 - Schifflein Christi - Hamilton and Erie, Rev. Adolph Allart
1861-1868 – Schifflein Christi – Rev. W. Schmidt
1869-1873 – Schifflein Christi – Rev. W. Purpos
1873 – 1875 – Schifflein Christi – Rev. H. Veith
1877 – Schifflein Christi – Superior and Dodge, Rev. E. Schornstein
1875 - 1879 – Schifflein Christi – Superior and Dodge, Rev. Charles Moench
1879 - 1883 - Schifflein Christi - Superior and Dodge, Rev. Ferdinand Buesser
1883 - 1891 – Schifflein Christi – Superior and Dodge, Rev. J. Andres
1891 - 1901 – Schifflein Christi – Superior and Dodge, Rev. Frederick Von Schluembach
1901 – Schifflein Christi – Superior and Dodge, Rev. H.H. Rippe
1906 – Schifflein Christi – Superior and Dodge, Rev. Erich Becker
1908 – Schifflein Christi – Superior at E. 17th, Rev. Erich Becker
1913 - 1921 – Schifflein Christi – Superior at E. 17th, Rev. J. Huebschmann
1924 - 1928 – Schifflein Christi – Arlington and Thornhill, Rev. J.C. Hansen
ST. JOHANNES CHURCH (GERMAN)
Between 1932-1934 it dropped the “St. Johannes” from its name and became known as Independent Evangelical Church until 2004 when it was sold to Hope in the City Properties. In 2005 it was sold to Missionary Church of Christ.
1879-1880 - St. Johannes Church (GERMAN) - 336 Harbor, Rev. H.C. Fack
1880 - 1881 - St. Johannes Church - 336 Harbor, Rev. A. Bauer
1881 - 1883 - St. Johannes Church - 336 Harbor, Rev. C. Moench
1883 - 1908 – St. Johannes Church – 336 Harbor, Rev. Carl Weiss
1908 - 1925 – St. Johannes Church – 2108 W. 44th, Rev. Carl Weiss
1925 - 1930 – St. Johannes Church – 2108 W. 44th, Rev. John Klein
1932 - 1933 – St. Johannes Church – 2108 W. 44th, Rev. John Hohnstein
1934 - 1940 – Independent Ev. Church – 2108 W. 44th, Rev. J.R. Niergarth
1940 - 1960 – Independent Ev. Church – 2108 W. 44th, Rev. Jacob Edgar Schatz
TRINITY CHURCH - GERMAN
1874 – 1875 – Trinity – Case near Superior, Rev. Duerr
1875 - 1879 – Trinity – Case near Superior, Rev. Charles A. Hermann
1878 - 1891 – Trinity – Case near Superior, Rev. August Kimmel
1894 - 1906 – Trinity Church – Case and Cooper, Rev. August Kimmel
1908 - 1918 – Trinity Church – E. 40th at Cooper, Rev. August Kimmel
1921 - 1924 – Trinity Church – E. 40th at Cooper, Rev. John Etjen
1928 – Trinity Church – E. 40th at Cooper, Rev. Theo Kitterer
Trinity Church was formed in 1874 by members who split from the German Evangelical Protestant Church and who met on Clifton Street. Pastor Duerr was serving at the Christ Episcopal Church on Orange Street and he agreed to head up the new congregation. They began meeting in an Episcopal Church at Superior and Alabama and then bought land at the corner of Case Avenue (E. 40th) and Cooper. The cornerstone was laid in June of 1874. Pastor Duerr stepped down and William Horn, Pastor Schneider and Pastor Stempel served as ministers in the meantime. The church building was dedicated in 1875. In 1919 this church merged with the German Evangelical Protestant Church and was relocated to Thornhill Drive and Arlington Avenue. It became known as the First Evangelical and Reformed Church. There were other mergers through the years and today is known as the Fellowship United Church of Christ in Wickliffe. Fellowship UCC http://fellowshipucc.com/ has two old bound church books from Trinity Church. The time period of these records covers the latter part of the 19th and early 20th century. However, the history of Trinity Church goes back further than these books at Fellowship UCC. Therefore, there are probably other church books located elsewhere.
Fellowship United Church of Christ
30040 Ridge Road
P.O. box 84
Wickliffe, OH 44092
440-944-7240
fellowshipucc@neohio.twcbc.com