ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
(The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod)
Alma, Kansas
A family united by faith in Christ gathering around God's Word and Sacraments.
To reach out in Christ-like concern and Christ-borne love to each other and to those without Christ!
140 Years of History
Page 9
On January 1, 1909, approval was given to order a new pipe organ for $1,650 and to purchase two lots west of the school from Mr. Droge. The new 800 pipe organ was delivered on Friday, May 28, 1909, and on the following Sunday it was announced that the dedication would be June 13. The 800 pipe organ was the first pipe organ in Wabaunsee County. The two-manual console was solid oak with a golden oak finish. The organ was built by Mr. John H. Sole, Fremont, Ohio, who was born in London, England. At age fourteen he was apprenticed to Mr. William Hill and Son of London, the most prominent organ builder in England, who had built the largest organ in the world at that time in the Town Hall in Sidney, Australia. Mr. Sole came to the United States in 1881, worked for organ builders, and then began business for himself. He built many organs in many cities in eastern United States.St. John was blessed to have him come to install the organ himself rather than to send his foreman. The organ console and pipes were placed on a raised floor in the center of the balcony. A pipe organ requires a supply of air in its reservoir in order to be played. The air was supplied by an electric fan or a manually operated pump with a handle like a water-well pump. The pump was located between the back of the organ and the two tall windows in the north wall of the church.In 1909 Alma didn't have very high voltage. The voltage supplied sufficient power for the bulbs of the chandelier and the drop cord lights which hung from the ceiling. When the lights were all on for services on cloudy days or in the evening, there wasn't enough power for the fan to keep the organ air reservoir full. Men of the congregation had to take turns pumping air into the reservoir.Sunday, June 13, 1909, was another day of joyful celebration and thanksgiving to God by members of St. John. The beautifully toned 800 pipe 'tracker action' pipe organ was to be dedicated to the praise and glory of our gracious Lord and God.At ten o'clock St. John's new church was completely filled with worshipers. The accompaniment to the first hymn sung by the congregation was played on the reed organ which had served in former years. The new organ was then dedicated to the praise, worship, honor, and glory of our Triune God.The dedication was followed by a prelude played on the pipe organ by teacher and organist, I.C. Strieter. The choir, directed by Mr. Strieter, then sang an anthem. After the Scripture reading the St. John Lutheran Church Choir of Topeka directed by Mr. William H. Steinkamp sang a selection. The Rev. R.C. Neitzel of Kansas City, Kansas, preached the dedicatory sermon, "Praise Ye the Lord in His Sanctuary" based on Psalm 150. St. John's Choir sang another selection followed by a hymn by the congregation. A prayer, the Benediction, and a closing verse concluded the service. The organ was paid in full on the day of dedication.Praise ye the Lord
Praise Him with the stringed instruments and organs.
Psalm 150:1a,4bAt 7:00 o'clock that evening, organist I.C. Strieter, Rev. R.C. Neitzel, the choir of St. John, Alma, and the choir of St. John Lutheran Church, Topeka led a beautiful service of worship and praise to our gracious Triune God. Nearly 700 members and citizens of Alma and surrounding communities were in attendance. The service began with a pipe organ prelude by organist Mr. I.C. Strieter. Rev. Neitzel delivered a short sermon based on the Words of Psalm 150. Mr. Strieter directed the Alma St. John Choir in singing the three-part “Paschal Mass I” by Lambillotte. He played five selections on the new organ.The St. John Lutheran Choir, Topeka, directed by Mr. William H. Steinkamp sang “Praise Ye the Lord” and “Praise to Jehovah.” The order of the evening service was as follows:1. Allegretto Gracioso Tours2. Address Rev. R.C. Neitzel3. Paschal Mass I Lambillotte4. Alegretto Pastoral Wheaton5. Praise Ye the Lord Leslie(Topeka Choir - Mr. Wm. H. Steinkamp, Director)6. Spring Song MendelssohnIntermission1. Flute Concerto Rinck2. Paschal Mass II Lambillotte3. Grande Offertoire in F Clark4. Praise to Jehovah (Topeka Choir) Singer5. Paschal Mass III Lambillotte6. Marche Triomphale LemmensIn the Paschal Mass solo parts were sung by Miss Frieda Lutz (Mrs. A.E. Stuewe), Miss Anna Mueller (Mrs. John Fritze) sopranos; Miss Gilda Emrich (Mrs. Gilda (Tudie) Weidner contralto; and Mr. Strieter tenor. Several duets, trios, and quartets also added to its musical beauty.The members of the Alma choir were:Sopranos: Frieda Lutz (Mrs. A.E. Stuewe) - mother of Maurice Stuewe & siblings; Anna Mueller (Mrs. John Fritze) - mother of Merle & Vernon Fritze; Marie Palenske ( Mrs. August Kratzer)- mother of Dorothy Kratzer and Mrs. Berniece Johnson; Kathleen Richter (Mrs. Leo Leonard) - mother of Mrs. Arnold (Cora) Ringel and Woodrow Leonard,
Contralto: Gilda Emrich (Mrs. Charles Weidner) (Tudie) - mother of Willis Weidner
Alto: Josephine Emrich - daughter of first teacher at St. John; Mrs. Adolph Schmid - wife of Pastor Schmid - grandmother of Mrs. Edie Jorns
Tenor: Reinhold Diepenbrock - father of Mrs. Clarence Maas and grandfather of Mrs. Ray (Marilyn) Simon; Charles Fritze - brother of John Fritze; Arthur Schmitz - uncle of Mrs. Florence Simon and Clarence Maas; I.C. Strieter - teacher and talented organist of St. John; Otto Theel - uncle of Phillip Theel and siblings;
Basso: Henry C. Diepenbrock - father of Mrs. Victor (Edna) Zeckser and Victor Diepenbrock; Rev. Adolph Schmid - Pastor of St. John, Alma; Emil Vobach - father of Walter Vobach and siblings; Otto Welk - grandfather of Mrs. Elvera (Welk) Haley, Topeka
The members of the Topeka choir were -
Agnes Klein, Gertrude Klein, Alma Kruse, Clara Kruse, Veda Kruse, Julia Mueller (Anna Mueller's sister), Anna Senne, Lizzie Slacik, Mary Staeckel, Ida Vesper, Doris Weber, Bertha Wolf, John Fritze, Harry Michels, Walter Mueller, Martin Pennekamp, Chris Schaefer, and W.F. Weber.
