The History of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Van Horne, Iowa

SOLA GRATIA

SOLA FIDE

SOLA SCRIPTURA

History

The history of any Christian congregation is the record of the blessings which God showers upon the efforts of His consecrated servants and those who hear them and bring forth fruits of the Spirit in their lives. The history of St. Andrew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Van Horne, Iowa is no exception. Here, too, we find great men and women of God, servants of His Holy Word, who have labored long and diligently. Men, women, and children, who having heard that Word have gone forth and brought forth fruit, “some thirty fold, some sixty and some a hundred.”

Prior to 1895, the Rev. F. A. Reinhart, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Eldorado Township, Benton County Iowa, conducted worship services in the town of Van Horne, using a school building that was located across the street from the present elementary school.

1895 - St. Andrew Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized on the 12th Sunday after Trinity, September 8, 1895, chiefly by members of surrounding Lutheran churches who were living in and around Van Horne. Although only 20 in number, the voting members called Rev. F.A. Reinhardt to be the first resident pastor of St. Andrew. He would serve the Lord and His people at St. Andrew for 14 years until 1909.

1896 – In February 1896, the congregation passed a resolution to erect its first house of worship. It would be a frame structure, 30 feet wide by 44 feet long by 14 feet high. It was built at the cost of $2,000 by the members without the help of the Mission Board or the Church Extension Fund. This building would serve until 1926.

1897 – A Lutheran parochial school was organized. A school house was moved in from the country and was placed on Pastor Reinhardt’s property which consisted of six lots in the 800 block of 2nd Avenue. It would remain there until 1907. Pastor Reinhardt, in addition to his pastoral duties, faithfully taught the first classes. Pastor Reinhardt learned the favorite playground for the children at recess was the railroad round house. He found a buggy whip to “help” bring the children back to school.

1907 – The school building property was sold and later that year, the congregation built a school building on the present property.

1909 – The congregation accepted the resignation of Pastor Reinhardt for reasons of the infirmity of advancing age and ill health. The congregation called the Rev. H.C. (Reikowsky) Reik as its second pastor. He would serve 11 years until 1921. The first parsonage was built on the church property during his service.

1912 – The St. Andrew Frauenverein (Ladies Aid) was organized on November 13, 1912.

1919 – 21 young people were confirmed that year. It was the largest class in the history of St. Andrew.

1921 – The Rev. Arnold C. Weber of Rolla, Missouri was installed as the third pastor and served St. Andrew four years until 1925.

1922 – On February 2, 1922, the St. Andrew Missionary Society was organized.

1925 – On August 30, 1925, the congregation installed Rev. William Ullerich as its fourth pastor. He would serve 22 years until 1947. During his ministry, the youth organization known as the “Walther League”, was founded.

1926 – On February 7, 1926, the congregation passed the resolution to build a new brick structure. Mr. Thorwald Thorson, an architect from Forest City, Iowa, designed the building. The construction firm, Jens Olesen & Sons of Waterloo, Iowa, was the general contractor. On the 23rd Sunday after Trinity Sunday, November 7, 1926, the new church was dedicated. It cost $30,000. At this time, St. Andrew congregation had 350 baptized and 220 communicant members. Both English and German languages were being used in the services.

1927 – The school was closed and the building auctioned. It was moved to 407 6th street.
On December 18, 1927 the Pipe Organ was officially dedicated. It was a two-manual electro-pneumatic instrument built by M.P. Moeller Pipe Organ Company at Hagerstown, Maryland. It cost $3,900. Professor A. Beck of River Forest, Illinois, was the special organist for this service.

1945 – By the 50th Anniversary of St. Andrew, records disclosed that 695 baptisms had been performed, 447 persons confirmed, 160 couples married, and 182 members had been given a Christian burial. In 1945, there were 365 Baptized souls, 310 communicants and 41 voting members.

1947 – On November 12, 1947, the Frauenverein (Ladies Aid) disbanded and the members joined the Missionary Society.

1948 – The Rev. Norman Rothe accepted the call to become the fifth pastor of St. Andrew. He would serve 6 years until 1954. During his pastorate all the outbuildings were torn down or removed (including the barn). A new double garage was added to the rear of the parsonage. A considerable amount of work was done in to the church, in particular the chancel area, including moving the altar to the back wall.

1954 – On November 14, 1954, the Rev. Arnold Wilkening was installed as the sixth pastor. He would serve 11 years until 1965. During his pastorate the parsonage underwent extensive remodeling (an addition of a bedroom and bathroom and the relocation/remodeling of the kitchen).

1964 – The church was extensively remodeled. New cathedral type light fixtures were installed. Other improvements and additions included a communion rail, altar fixtures, and outdoor bulletin board.

1966 – On August 7, 1966, the Rev. Carl H. Gutekunst was installed as the seventh pastor. He would serve for 2 years until 1968.

1968 – On November 10, 1968, the Rev. Glenn E. Renken was installed as the eighth pastor. He would serve 9 years until 1977.

1969 – The first News & Notes (i.c. Monthly newsletter) was published. The parking area to the rear of the church was established.

1970 – On July 5, 1970 the installation of the new pews was completed.

1974 – The parsonage was razed in order to construct a new one on the same location. Rev. Renken and family will live in a house on the Henning’s farm until the new parsonage is completed.

1975 – The new parsonage was built by member Glen Dietrich. The Renken family moved in on September 14, and the house was officially dedicated on October 26, 1975.

1977 – On October 16, 1977, the Rev. Robert A. Willie was installed as the ninth pastor. He would serve for six years until 1983.

1983 – On July 17, 1983, the Rev. Frank G. Frye was ordained and installed as the tenth pastor. He would serve 4 years until 1987.

1988 – On June 12, 1988, the Rev. Ronald D. Burcham was ordained and installed as the 11th pastor. He would serve 4 years until 1992.

1991 – The sacristy was remodeled and a new sink installed.

1992 – On August 23, 1992, Matthew P. Hempeck was ordained and installed as the 12th pastor. He would serve 8 years until 2000. On December 20, 1992, the new Fellowship hall was dedicated.

1993 – On June 13, 1993, the newly remodeled church basement was dedicated.

1994 – After many years of leaks and repairs, the bell tower was removed on July 17, 1994.

1999 – A new free-standing bell tower was completed on November 13, 1999.

2001 – On September 2, 2001, Rev. David Lindenberg was ordained and installed
as the 13th pastor. He would serve 7 years until 2008.

2008 – On August 24, 2008, the Rev. David C. Lingard was ordained and installed as the 14th pastor. He is currently serving St. Andrew.

Pastors of St. Andrew

1895-1909 Rev. F.A. Reinhardt

1909-1921 Rev. H.C. Reik

1921-1925 Rev. Arnold C. Weber

1925-1947 Rev. William Ullerich

1948-1954 Rev. Norman Rothe

1954-1965 Rev. Arnold Wikening

1966-1968 Rev. Carl H. Gutekunst

1968-1977 Rev. Glenn E. Renken

1977-1983 Rev. Robert A. Willie

1983-1987 Rev. Frank G. Frye

1988-1992 Rev. Ronald D. Burcham

1992-2000 Rev. Matthew P. Hempeck

2001-2008 Rev. David Lindenberg

2008-present Rev. David C. Lingard

During over 100 years of St. Andrew history, five members have taken up the work of Christ’s kingdom.

Pastors
- Rev. John C. Brehm, son of Mr. & Mrs. John Jacob Brehm, graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1925.
- Rev. Jason Zobel, son of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Zobel, graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1997.
Teachers
- Kenneth W. Kaestner, son of Mr. & Mrs. Dan Kaestner, graduated from Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois in 1959.
- Jean (Stueck) Haberhern, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Lorenz Stueck, graduated from Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska in 1970.
- Deanna (Zobel) Armbrecht, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Zobel, graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon in 1991.

As we look back, we see some of the hardships, as well as many of the joys, through which our ancestors have passed. Progress was slow and difficult on many occasions, but they moved forward. In all St. Andrew’s history, God’s Word and Luther’s pure doctrine which is drawn from God’s Word, have been taught and preached with power and determination. God’s Word, and that alone, have made this congregation grow and prosper.

+Soli Deo Gloria+

(To God alone be the Glory)