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Our History
Text from
the Church Dedication Service, Sunday, January 12, 1964
In
the 1890’s, East Hamilton welcomed the arrival of two great safe works, Mosler and
Herring-Hall-Marvin. With them came workers, many
of whom were German
Evangelicals. The new settlers soon felt the need of a church and school and in
the early fall of 1892, a group of interested persons met with the Rev. C.A.
Herman, pastor of St. John’s Evangelical Church. From this meeting was born
Redeemer Church, then called St. John’s Evangelical Church, East Hamilton.
The young
congregation received two lots from the East Hamilton Land Syndicate upon which
a new church would be built, the first in East Hamilton. On October 9, 1892, the
corner stone was laid, and in April, 1893, the new building was dedicated. Total
cost of the new church was $2,000. For the first five years, the church served
also as a public school.
In the
spring of 1900 a parsonage was built next to the Church also at a cost of
$2,000. The Rev. Theodore
Tessman became the first resident pastor of the young
church.
The year 1907 saw the congregation raise $1,349 for
excavating and building a church basement, a steeple and the installation of a
bell.
On April 6, 1923, stirred by
the address of ex-mayor
 Heinchel, the Redeemer congregation began a Building
Fund in order to construct a new church, the first of several dreams. However,
by 1925, it was felt that a new church was not feasible and instead, a Sunday
School annex should be built. The new addition was completed in 1927 at a cost
of $16,730.54.
The years
that followed were difficult ones for the congregation, brought about in large
measure by the economic depression of 1929. Faced with the mortgage of the new
Sunday School annex, the years also brought a decrease in the Church membership
and finances as the effects of the depression became widespread.
Our nation
worked itself out of the depression, and so did Redeemer Church. In 1940, the
Rev. Oliver Hotz became its new pastor. His vigor and enthusiasm were soon
felt. The church began to grow both in spirit and in membership. The 50th
Anniversary of Redeemer Church was a grand occasion. In preparation for it in
October, 1942, the church building was repaired and completely renovated with
new altar, carpeting, lighting and curtains for the Sunday School stage.
The Rev
Victor Schoen became the pastor of Redeemer Church in 1944 and the growth
continued. The Sunday School mortgage was burned and a Mohler organ was
installed.
A new home
for Redeemer Church was again envisioned, and a Building Campaign was begun with
the possibility of establishing a church in south Lindenwald. Also, two lots
were purchased on Bender and Parish Avenues as possible building sites.
However, by
the 60th Anniversary, thoughts again returned to the original
building and chimes and a tower amplification system were installed.
It was
under the pastorate of the Rev. Kirby Jenquin that the building program became a
working reality. In 1958, 5½ acres of land on the Hamilton-Middletown Road were
purchased for $16,000. The architectural firm of Siegel and Steed was employed
to design a new Church and educational building.
In March, 1962, the church building was sold for $26,000 and the Congregation
was without a home.
Temporary
arrangements were made for Worship Services in the Fairfield North Elementary
School. On May 15, 1962 the final services were held at “the little white Church
on the hill”
The following
September, the Rev. Ward Harman became interim-pastor. A bank loan of $121,000
was
granted and on September 30, 1962, ground was broken f or
a new House of Worship. Work progressed well, and on May 19, 1963 the corner
stone was laid. The parsonage was sold during this period and a new one was
purchased on Morris Road. In July the Rev. Charles W. Kline arrived to become
the twelfth pastor of Redeemer Church.
The weather was cold but hearts were warm, when on
December 8, 1963, the congregation of Redeemer Church gathered for the first
time in the new Sanctuary to offer praise to God.
Today Redeemer Church meets to dedicate a new building. But it is more than
a
building.
It is the realization of a dream that began over forty years ago. It is
a fitting
memorial to those pastors and
members who have preceded us. Let us pray that
it might serve also as an inspiration to those that follow. Surely God
hath done marvelous deeds. |
