December 1996 Volume 41, Number 4
December 1996 Volume 41, Number 4
- CHI has New Reference & Research Assistant
- Luther Medallion Wins 1st Prize
- Awards Banquet Honors 17 Distinguished People, Projects
- Names Added to Book of Memories
- Take Note: Walther's Piano a Favorite for Many Visitors
- Proper Handling Will Help Your New Books Live a Longer Life
- Learn More About "Luther's Will and Yours"
- CHI's Collection Can Be "Toured" Via Video, by Loan or to Keep
- Charter Congregation's Story "Not Your Typical History Book"
- Institute Receives Grant to Hire Archivist
- Bulletin Inserts Paint "Portraits" for LCMS 150th
- Honors and Recognition Given
- Conference Addresses "Interpretting American Lutheran History"
The Rev. Mark Loest was installed Nov.
7th as the new reference and research assistant and museum curator for
Concordia Historical Institute.
Rev. Loest was installed by the Rev. Dr. James Kalthoff, president of the
Missouri District of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, in a ceremony
at Concordia Historical Institute's Board Room.
Rev.
Loest comes to CHI from St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Browns-town,
Ind., where he served as pastor since 1992. He earned a bachelor's degree
from Concordia University, River Forest, Ill., and Master of Divinity and
Master of Sacred Theology (STM) degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary
in Fort Wayne, Ind. He also spent a year at the Lutherische Theologische
Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany.
Rev. Loest was ordained into the ministry
in June 1989 and previously served as an associate pastor for St. John's
Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, Ind.
His experiences include teaching, serving as a German interpreter and translating
German theological documents and articles.
Rev. Loest said his goal in reference and
research is to "maintain the high level of service CHI has been able
to provide to people with inquiries and to even improve upon it."
In respect to the museum, he said visitors
can expect to see changes in displays reflecting the LCMS's 150th anniversary,
including items that have been of importance to the founding fathers.
"This museum is a place to go to see
items you can't see anywhere else, namely from our church's history,"
he said.
CHI's newest medallion, commemorating the 450th anniversary of Martin Luther's death, won first place honors
in the medal exhibit at the 105th annual convention of the American Numismatic
Association held in Denver, Aug. 14-17.
Its designer, the Rev. Scott Blazek of Clovis,
NM, said he did not enter the medallion with a goal of winning the top
prize but was pleased with the results.
"I went into the exhibit to offer it
for viewing, for educational and historical purposes," he said. "...I
just wanted to share the exhibit about the Year of Luther. The timing was
right for it, and to win was like icing on the cake."
Rev. Blazek's exhibit, "The Year of
Luther, the Reformation Told through Four Centuries of Coins and Medals,"
placed first in its category. Three experts in the field evaluated the
exhibits on the basis of a 100-point scale.
About 1,000 dealers in rare and collectable
coins gathered as part of the national convention, which listed more than
9,000 registered participants.
The three-inch medallion commemorating Luther's death was the final piece
in his award-winning display.
The front of the medallion features Luther
on his deathbed; the reverse side depicts his final resting place.
Rev. Blazek's medallion was produced by Concordia
Historical Institute in both silver and bronze earlier this year. While
all the silver medallions have sold out, it is still available for purchase
in bronze.
To order your commemorative bronze medallion,
please send your request with $30 for each medallion, plus $4 for shipping
and handling, to: Concordia Historical Institute, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis,
MO 63105.
A decorative stand for the medallion also
is available for an additional $4 charge.
Checks or money orders should be payable
to Concordia Historical Institute.
Concordia Historical Institute hosted
the 22nd annual CHI Awards Banquet Nov. 7, in Wartburg Dining Hall on the
campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Highlighting the banquet was the presentation
of 17 special awards, honoring those whose nominated works (both written
and videotaped) were chosen on the basis of stringent criteria. Awards
are granted each year by the CHI Awards Committee to congregations, agencies,
individuals, or boards for historical publications, unique contributions
to Lutheran literature, or for personal service in the field of Lutheran
archival and historical work and support.
Here are the 17 special awards:
Awards in the Articles and Essays category were presented to:
Awards in the Congregational Histories category were presented to:
Mrs. Suelflow has served as an author,
editor and research director for works of significance to American Lutheran
historiography; played an important role in the survival of Concordia Seminary
in its troubled days in the early 1970s; and contributed countless hours
of volunteer service to Concordia Historical Institute.
At CHI, she served in nearly every capacity,
including volunteering her time as the Institute's first full-time secretary,
assisting with publicity, and founding the CHI Auxiliary.
Only one distinguished service award is given
each year.
Sincere thanks to those who continue
to give gifts to the Institute in memory of friends and loved ones.
The following memorials were received since
July 1996 and now will be added to the CHI Book of Memories for 1996:
Barry, Mrs. Jean; given by Dr. and Mrs. Aug. R. Suelflow;
Carr, Mr. Lawrence James; given by Mrs. Irma L. Carr;
Fritz, Elizabeth A., given by Mr. and Mrs. Ruth and Elmer Fritz;
Kissling, Alida Schuricht, given by Rev. and Mrs. Ralph N. Danielsen;
Kramer, Mrs. Gertrude M., given by Miss Norma G. Kramer and by Mr. and Mrs. Werner R. Krause;
Schroeder, Mrs. Dorothy Alice, given by Mr. Robert J. Rodefeld;
Sewing, Anna L., given by Mr. and Mrs. Werner R. Krause.
Members and friends of members wishing to make a contribution to Concordia Historical Institute in memory of a loved one are encouraged to complete one of CHI's purple memorial folders. Contributions may also be made by sending the loved one's name and dates of birth and death, along with a contribution of any size, to CHI at 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis MO 63105.
Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of articles on the most popular and/or unusual items in the Concordia Historical Institute collection of items with a tie to Lutherans in America.
Almost
everyone knows of the impact that C.F.W. Walther had on Lutheranism in
America. It's also well known that he was a master musician, at home behind
both the organ and piano.
But did you know that the piano that once
belonged to "the Father of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod"
can be seen in Concordia Historical Institute's museum? In fact, it's one
of the most popular items in the collection.
Made by the St. Louis Piano Manufacturing
Company and measuring 6'9" by 3'6", Walther's piano is painted
black with detachable, hand-carved legs. Another special feature of the
piano is its ornately carved music stand.
This piece was donated to Concordia Historical
Institute before 1927. It can be seen at the CHI museum, along with Dr.
Walther's music book, mantle clock and many other Walther items, during
regular museum hours, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Do you know how to open a book?
While that may sound like an elementary question,
there really is a correct way to open a book - particularly if it's a new
one.
Because opening a new book roughly or bending
back its covers will break its back and loosen pages, there are some things
to keep in mind when opening a new literary treasure:
First, lay the book, back downward, on a
table. Press the front cover down until it touches the table, then the
back cover, holding the leaves in one hand. With the other hand, open a
few of the leaves at the back, then at the front, and so on, pressing them
down gently until you reach the center of the volume.
These tips will help your books enjoy a longer
life.
Are you interested in history? Interested
in wills? Here's a special offer for individuals and for groups.
Concordia Historical Institute is extending
its program on "Luther's Will and Yours."
This educational and interesting seminar
was presented in October and November at CHI by Rev. Marcus T. Zill, development
officer for the Institute.
Now Rev. Zill is offering to take the presentation
on the road. For those within approximately 100 miles of St. Louis, Rev.
Zill will come to your church, group, conference, etc. to present information
on Martin Luther's will and principles to help with the final stewardship
of family and fortune. For those farther away, Rev. Zill will provide a
"do-it-yourself" kit for presenting "Luther's Will and Yours."
For details, call the Institute at (314)
505-7900.
If you've heard about Concordia Historical
Institute's museum but have never been able to visit in person, take a
tour via video.
CHI offers an interesting 20-minute video,
"Concordia Historical Institute: Preserving Your History," which
shows not only what the Institute has in its collection of Lutheranism
in America but also explains the purpose of the Institute and its mission
in preserving American Lutheran history.
Copies of "CHI: Preserving Your History" are available on a lending
basis at no charge. A copy can also be purchased to keep for $7.50. A continuous
play video is available for $10.
Pastors may wish to consider borrowing a
copy of this tape for a special Bible study, especially in light of the
LCMS's 150th anniversary.
To borrow a copy, please send your request
to CHI at 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis MO 63105 and include the mailing name
and address to which you wish the video sent.
If ordering a copy to keep, please specify
video type and make your check or money order payable to Concordia Historical
Institute.
"It has everything - drama, adventure, romance, mystery, but most of all it has the grace of God..."
- Rev. Timothy Mueller
A charter member congregation of The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod has produced a new history which doesn't read like
your typical history book.
Our God, Our Help in Ages Past was
produced for the 150th anniversary of St. John's Lutheran Church, New Minden,
Ill.
"The story of the New Minden congregation
would really make a good TV mini-series," comments Pastor Timothy
Mueller, editor of the project and current pastor at St. John's. "It
has everything - drama, adventure, romance, mystery, but most of all it
has the grace of God in Christ. More than anything else, our story is the
story of God's gracious presence and help for His people in this place.
It is really His story - hence the title."
The book was designed to appeal to more than
just members of St. John's. The first two chapters, for example, describe
the spiritual condition of the Lutheran church in Germany and the needs
of the church in America. Chapter One tells of the turmoil in the 1840s
in Illinois as battles were fought over errors of Rationalism which threatened
the faith of the church. The book describes how faithful pastors put their
lives on the line in such places as Collinsville, Venedy, Evansville, and
Gahlenbeck (Hamel or near Hamel), Illinois. Chapter Three traces the origins
of the other 13 congregations of the Upper Kaskaskia Circuit.
Wherever possible, the story has been told
in the words of the people who made history or at least witnessed it. Chapter
One, for example, is largely the "remembrances" of Pastor C.F.W.
Schoz, sent here by Pastor William Loehe of Neuendettelsau, Bavaria (Germany).
A dyemaker by trade, Scholz wanted to be a missionary to India, but ended
up coming to the wild west of southern Illinois in 1846. He recorded his
lengthy "remembrances" in his old age.
Other topics in the book include: true glimpses
of life among the early settlers, a congregational treasurer's report for
the year 1881, the transition from German to English, eyewitness accounts
from the "cyclones" (tornadoes) of 1896 and 1907, the District
Conventions of 1910 and 1922, complete biographies of 24 pastors and 58
teachers (including those who served St. John's and those from St. John's
who served elsewhere) and many others.
The book has 296 pages, 334 black and white
pictures, a full-color cover, and is documented with 553 endnotes.
Our God, Our Help in Ages Past is
available in the Concordia Historical Institute Lobby Shop for $10 and
can be shipped for an additional $3.
It's a fact: Concordia Historical Institute
has some 1,500 different collections of archival records of The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and personal papers of individuals.
They vary in size from less than an inch
of material to more than 100 cubic feet.
The problem is that only about 250 of these
collections have had detailed inventories and finding aids prepared to
help staff and researchers find the information in them that they need.
And only 200 or so have been cataloged in the professional sense in a card
catalog or other databases of records.
But thanks to a generous grant of $126,500,
given by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, the Institute is hiring
an archivist to tackle this momentous project - and ultimately, make the
Institute more helpful to its members and other researchers.
The grant will help in two ways:
CHI Director Rev. Daniel Preus said he
is delighted by the receipt of the grant and noted that the work in cataloging
the backlog of materials will begin as soon as a qualified archivist can
be found.
The Institute's deadline for applicants was
Nov. 30.
What's red and white and will be read
all over Lutheran churches this year?
They're called "Portraits of The Lutheran
Church -Missouri Synod," bulletin inserts developed for the 150th
anniversary of the LCMS as a joint project by the 150th Anniversary Committee,
Concordia Publishing House and Concordia Historical Institute.
"We wanted to be sure each bulletin
insert would be both historically accurate and doctrinally correct, so
that as we celebrate the Missouri Synod's 150th anniversary we understand
that the events of the past have a bearing on our faith today," said
CHI Director Rev. Daniel Preus, who initiated the project.
Each of the "Portraits" also looks
toward the future and, most important of all, focuses on Christ in proclaiming
the gospel. A wide range of writers worked hard to ensure they are relevant
to today's Lutherans.
Two sets of 13 bulletin inserts are available
for purchase through CPH. The titles give an indication of the breadth
of area covered:
Readers can obtain more information about the bulletin inserts, by contacting either Concordia Historical Institute or Concordia Publishing House.
Anniversaries, birthdays and other special
events of loved ones can be commemorated with special gifts to Concordia
Historical Institute.
We thank the following individuals who have
given gifts to pay tribute to special people and memorable occasions:
Burnell, Mr. and Mrs. Paul (Grace), given by Mr. and Mrs. Andy J. Painter;
Schmidt, Rev. and Mrs. Herbert (Mildred), in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary; given by Rev. and Mrs. Ralph (Lorna) Danielsen.
The 18th biennial meeting of the Lutheran
Historical Conference, "Interpreting American Lutheran History,"
was held Oct. 31-Nov. 2, in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Program speakers and their topics were:
The meeting elected the following to new six-year terms on the LHC Board of Directors:
The conference also elected the Rev. Dr.
James W. Albers, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., to a two-year
term as president of the LHC.
The Board of Directors elected additional
officers:
Others continuing on the nine-member board
are the Rev. Dr. Raymond M. Bost, North Carolina; the Rev. Marvin A. Huggins,
Concordia Historical Institute; and Ms. Elisabeth C. Wittman, Chief Archivist,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, Ill.
For more information on the Lutheran Historical
Conference, contact Rev. Marvin A. Huggins
at CHI or visit their website at: http://www.chi.lcms.org/lhc.
"Historical Footnotes" newsletter is
published quarterly
by Concordia Historical Institute,
801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis MO 63105.
The Institute is a not-for-profit organization, serving as
the Department of History and Archives for The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Historical Footnotes Editor-in-Chief
Rev. Marvin A. Huggins
Writer and Layout Editor
Chris Boshoven
