Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on November 2, 1955.
Church Will Observe Its 75th Anniversary
KOUTS, Nov. 2一St. Paul’s Lutheran church of Kouts will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the building of its first church in 1880, at special ceremonies Nov. 6 and 13.
Present pastor of the congregation of 289 communicants and 411 baptized members is Dr. Luther P. Koapke, who is also Dean of Men at Valparaiso University.
To commemorate this occasion two special church services will be held and a banquet will be conducted at which a review of the past 75 years will be made.
On Sunday, Nov. 6, and Sunday, Nov. 13, special anniversary services will be held. Dr. W.E. Bauer, of Valparaiso University will speak on Nov. 6. The Rev. Walter Schwane, a former pastor, will speak at the services on Nov. 13. Both services will start at 10 a.m.
At 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, the anniversary banquet will be held at the Legion hall in Kouts. Prof. Herman C. Grunau, of Valparaiso University, will be the guest speaker.
The first Lutheran worship service was held in Kouts in August of 1873. This service was conducted in an old school building on what is now highway 8, near the east end of Kouts.
No Resident Pastor
During the period from 1873 to 1880 there was no resident pastor. They were, however, served at various times by the following pastors: the Rev. Phillip Schmidt, the Rev. W.J. Lange, and the Rev. Adolph Dunzing.
During this time, divine services were conducted in the homes of various members of the congregation, usually on Sunday afternoon when one of the pastors would come to Kouts from a nearby community to conduct the services.
The period from 1873 to 1880 was one of slow growth for the Lutherans in Kouts, since they did not have the services of a full time pastor, it was recalled.
On the first Sunday in September, 1880, the Lutherans of Kouts dedicated a new small frame church, erected at a cost of $600. This church served the congregation until 1908 as the place of worship.
In 1894 the Rev. Albert Bauman became the first resident pastor of St. Paul’s congregation. Pastor Bauman served until 1899. In 1899 the Rev. Otto Schumm became pastor. He served until 1905.
Serves 40 Years
From 1905 to 1906 the Rev. Arthur Both was the pastor. During his pastorate, the first English services were conducted in the church. Previous services had been in the German language.
In 1907 the Rev. Hicko Hicken became pastor of St. Paul’s and served for 40 years. In 1908 the new church was erected which still serves as the place of worship for the congregation. The brick church was built at a cost of $3,500 and was constructed by the Foster Lumber company of Valparaiso.
Following the resignation of the Rev. Chicken, the Rev. Walter Schwane became pastor of the congregation and served until 1954. Following a vacancy of six months, Dr. Koepke became pastor.
Some of the official acts performed at the church from 1873 to 1954 included 289 baptisms, 343 confirmations, 132 marriages and 155 funerals.
The first Sunday school at the church was held on May 12, 1931. The first teachers of the Sunday school were the following: Alma Rosenbaum, Henrietta Denzine, Doris Miller and Margaret Rosenbaum.
Mrs. Emil Hofferth was the first Sunday school superintendent; she served from 1931 until 1947. Wilbur Lippert served as superintendent from 1947 to 1952; William Roeske, 1953, and Ten Schroder, 1954. Schroder is now serving in the capacity.
In 1946, a Walther League was organized at the church. The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League was started in the congregation in 1948. The first officers of the LWML were the following: Mrs. Wilbur Lippert, president; Mrs. Ella Williams, vice president; Mrs. Herbert Roeske, secretary, and Mrs. Robert Hamann, treasurer.
