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Redeemer Lutheran Church
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 The real beginnings of Redeemer Lutheran Church can be traced to the mid 1920's when pastors of the Ohio Synod began holding services in the various homes of Lutherans in Hanna. In 1929 an opportunity arose to buy an old school for use as a church building and at that time the congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church was founded. The congregation's first building was renovated twice, once in 1929 then again between 1944 and 1946. In 1954 the present building was begun and was dedicated in 1955. A new parsonage next to the church building was built in 1962. Many renovations have taken place to the church building since 1955 including carpeting of the upstairs and downstairs, and a free standing altar. Just recently the congregation purchased a pipe organ, which will be the congregations fourth organ.
Some time between 1944 and 1946 extensive renovations were made to the exterior. Three of the six windows were removed from each side, leaving three. The three windows on each side of the doorway were also removed and a porch was added. New siding, new shingles, and a coat of paint was added. After this renovation the original building was no longer recognizable. Getting an answer to the unanswered questions concerning the origin of the first church building was in itself a thrilling discovery, and the fact that it could have been Hanna's first school was an added bonus. This symbolizes the relationship between the two most important institutions in our society, the school and the church.
The gathering together of the congregation which was officially organized as Redeemer Lutheran Church was the dedicated work of the Rev. Henry Bietsch and his family. The memory of Rev. Bietsch is dear to the heart of many people. Those who were not a part of this congregation remember him as an imposing personality who was held with respect by all. A pastor who studied in his confirmation class recalls his strong singing voice, and how he literally sang the gospel into the hearts of his students.
Although Redeemer Lutheran Church is presently a one point parish in the past it has been a multiparish with one or more of the following congregations: Scapa, Spondin, Hemaruka, Cereal and Endiang. The pastors who have served the congregation are: Pastor Henry Bietsch (1929 - 1936), Pastor Robert Wulff (1937 - 1942), Pastor John C. Abs. (1943 - 1945), Pastor Herman Brandt (1947 - 1949), Pastor Irvin Hohm (1952 - 1956), Pastor Oscar Sommerfield (1958 - 1962), Pastor Conrad Knoch (1963 - 1971 and 1978 - 1980), Pastor Roman Alksne (1971 - 1977), and Pastor Glenn J. Sellick (1980 - ).
Text courtesy of The Hanna Herald
Next: Greystone - Scapa - Dowling
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