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PLATTE COUNTY, NEBRASKA
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH HISTORY

Columbus Telegram - June, 1931

The congregation of Christ Lutheran church on Loseke creek, north of Columbus, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of this first Lutheran church in Platte county and the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the present house of worship with services next Sunday, June 7.
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The Christ Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized in 1871, by Rev. F. Kuegele, at that time pastor and missionary at Omaha. The first Lutheran services in the county were held in a log cabin near Shell creek. Later the congregation met in public schoolhouses and in 1877 the first church building was erected [at a cost of $1,200]. First elders of the congregation were Edwin Ahrens, John Grotelueschen and John Brock. Rev. C.W. Baumhoefener was the first pastor, serving from 1871 to 1874.

The present church building was started in 1920, the cornerstone being laid on July 4 of that year and the new house of worship being dedicated Sept. 18, 1921. This was during the pastorate of Rev. J.P. Kuehnert.

During the six decades since the organization of the church the following have served as pastors: Rev. C.W. Baumhoefener, 1871-1874; Rev. Ernst Frese, 1874-1881; Rev. H. Fischer, 1881-1894; Rev. A.W. Frese, 1894-1905; Rev. E. Denninger, 1906-1918; Rev. J.P. Kuehnert, 1918-1928; Rev. H.L. Borneman, 1928 till the present time.

A parochial school has been maintained by the congregation since soon after the founding of the church. This school was taught by the various pastors and during the pastorate of Rev. A.W. Frese, by his daughter, Miss Dora Frese, until 1907, when the first regular teacher was called. Those who have served as teachers during the past 21 years were: Prof. W. Reese, 1907-1919; Student Rudolph Kuehnert, 1919-1920; Prof. E.A. Buchholtz, since 1920. Three years ago an extra teacher was added to have charge of the four lower grades, Miss Esther Hartmann serving from 1928 to 1930 and Miss Marie Bornemann, since 1930. During the past year the school had an enrollment of 94 pupils.

Leigh World - originally printed September 20, 1946, reprinted May 17, 2000 in "Looking Back at the World"

    Christ Lutheran congregation in the Colfax-Platte County area, will observe the 75th Anniversary of its founding and 25th Anniversary of its present church building, Sunday, September 22. During the 75 years of its organization, Christ Lutheran has produced nine pastors, six of who were the sons of ministers, and three, sons of church members. In addition to nine pastors Christ Lutheran has sent out into the world 18 young people, sons and daughters, who are teaching in parish schools, at [sic] total of 27 Christian workers. The Anniversary service will be conducted by the sons of the congregation who have chosen to enter the ministerial profession. In 1870, the Rev. Kuegele came out from Omaha to Columbus to investigate the possibility of organizing a Lutheran congregation at Columbus. He conducted a service in either the District 2 school house near Shell Creek, or in one of the log cabin homes. On February 19, 1871, 60 persons affixed their signatures to a brief article of confession of the Lutheran faith. On August 20, 1871, Candidate C.W. Baumhoefener was ordained and installed as the first resident pastor.
    The constitution was adopted in the year 1872 and in 1906 it was incorporated in the laws of the state. Since there was no parsonage or church building. Rev. Baumhoefener made his home with Henry Rickert until the parsonage, part of which served as a school room, was completed. The first services were conducted in the school rooms of Districts 2 and 15 and in the homes of the pioneer settlers.
    On December 27, 1874, Pastor E. Frese was intalled as the second resident pastor. During his tenure the first church was built in 1877, to which an extension and steeple were later added. The pastor was given permission by his congregation to preach in other settlements at Columbus, Grand Prairie, Dry Creek, and Leigh. Consequently Immanuel Lutheran, Columbus; St. John's Lutheran, Columbus; Zion Congregation, Leigh, and Immanuel Lutheran, Schuyler, became daughter congregations of Christ Lutheran.
    In August 1881, Pastor H. Fischer became the third pastor. During this year the second parsonage was built and in 1893 it became necessary to enlarge the church.
    In July of 1894 A.W. Frese was called as pastor, and during his pastorate another school building was erected. He was succeeded by Pastor E. Denninger in April, 1906. Several years later, becaue of increased membership, it became necessary to plan a larger house of worship. The project, however, was postponed because of the nation's entry into World War I.
    On August 18, 1918, Pastor J.P. Kuehnert was installed as pastor. World War I being over, the congregation proceeded to erect a new and larger church building. On July 4, 1920, the cornerstone was laid, and on September 18, 1921 the church building was dedicated. The overall size was 90 by 54 in transept, two towers, and a steeple of 90 feet in height. It was erected at the cost of $80,000 and erected as a memorial and thankoffering for the 50th Anniversary of the congregation.
    In 1925 a dwelling for a teacher was built.
    Because of ill health, Pastor J.P. Kuehnert was given a leave of absence and in his absence his son, Richard E. Kuehnert served the congregation for a year. Failing to recover his strength, Pastor J.P. Kuehnert resigned his duties, and the Rev. H.L. Bornemann was called as his successor. Upon his death November 19, 1939, his son, Pastor Martin Bornemann was called to the pastorate.
    In 1946 a new parsonage was erected of brick veneer, it is modern throughout.
    At present Christ congregation has 550 baptized members including 430 communicant members.
    Christ Lutheran has a voter organization of 104 members; a young people's organization, the Walther League, organized October 3, 1920, has 105 members; a Ladies Aid organized in September 18, 1932, with 48 members; a Lutheran Women's Missionary League organized in 1945 with a membership of 45 members; a Lutheran Laymen's League, with membership of 32 members; and a choir of 50 members.
    Names of those pioneer families who founded Christ Lutheran Church and whose descendants have joined their loyal support to that of their forebears were Asche, Ahrens, Barjenbruch, Bakenhus, Buss, Behrens, Borchers, Dicke, Dirks, Doersch, Engelbart, Geiter, Goedeken, Grotelueschen, Hake, Henke, Held, Heibel, Hellbusch, Hembd, Herchenhan, Hollmann, Hoth, Johannes, Karlin, Korte, Kreye, Krunland [sic], Kuennemann, Kumpf, Lindemann, Lueke, Luesche, Lueschen, Lutjeluesche, Marty, Michaelsen, Mueller, Nauenburg, Otte, Reinke, Pluegge, Renschler, Rickert, Robert, Rosche, Saalfeld, Schaad, Siefken, Schreiber, Stickel, Wetterer, Wilke, Wilken, Wurdeman.

Produces 27 Christian Workers

    Young men of Christ Lutheran who are serving as ministers today are Elmer T. Grotelueschen, Hilger Cattau, Raymond Cattau, Franz Frese, Richard Kuehnert, Rudolph Kuehnert, Theodore Bornemann, William Bornemann, and Martin Bornemann.
    Those who have served or are serving as teachers are Evelyn and Edna Grotelueschen, Martin Bakenhus, Esther and Gertrude Kuehnert, Herman Otte, Vendetta Ahrens, Marie, Martha, and Dorothy Bornemann, Walter Korte, Walter Morlok, Walter Buss, Paul Grotelueschen, Edward and Emil Marty, and Rollin Cattau, the latter a student at Seward.
    Christ Lutheran cemetery adjoining the church property, as [sic] a hallowed spot. The grounds are beautifully kept. Representatives of three generations in many families rest there in God's Acre. Many of the tomb stones record deaths in the seventies. Two of the earliest graves are those of Mrs. Krumland and of a young daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry G. Lueschen. Stones marking their graves are dated in 1874.

Church Custodians

    To Misses Martha and Anna Behrens goes the credit for card [sic] and cleaning of the church auditorium over a long period of years. Fred Kant has the credit for many years of service as fireman. More than 25 years ago, Carl Cattau volunteered to ring the bell for services and he is still the faithful bellman.

Honor Roll

    On Christ Lutheran's Honor Roll during World War Two were these names: Walter Johannes, Paul Korte, Carroll Kant, Elmer Henke, Raymond Wilke, Edward Wurdeman, Melvin Loseke, Paul Ahrens, Helmuth Cattau, Allan Moeller, Ora Bakenhus, Norris Asche, Alfred Wurdeman, Walter Marty, Clarence Hake, David Hollman, Roland Marty, Edgar Cattau, Allen Morlok, James Buchholz, Robert Morlok, Ewald Cattau, Mark Buchholz, Marvin Bakenhus, Leonard Wilke, Allen Korte, Milton Wilke, Lawrence Frese, Martin Dirks, Herman Otte, Frederick Buchholz, Martin Cattau, Duayne Muhle, Lloyd Frese, Victor Wilke, Charmis, Pose, Alvin Kant, Carroll Henke, Richard Rube.

Chirst Lutheran School

    From the time it was first founded Christ Lutheran congregation has maintained a parish school for the thorough Christian education of its youth. The founders realized the true meaning of the Bible maxim: "Train, up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." The parish school supplements the home; it assists the parents in the proper up-bringing of the children. The parish school not only prepares and equips the child for good citizenship here on earth, but above all, for citizenship in the world to come. It seeks to fortify the character of the child and equips the child with the "sword of the Spirit," so that it may withstand the temptations to evil.
    In the early years of Christ Lutheran the pastors also served as pedagogues. They taught the three 'R's', and particularly, the fourth 'R', religion. In several instances, the daughter of pastors assisted in teaching the common branches while the pastor imparted the relgious instruction. However, as state requirements for public instruction became more exacting, the congretation met its obligation by calling fulltime male teacher, thus relieving the pastor of teaching so that he might devote his full time to pastoral duties.
    In 1907, Walter Reese, graduate of Concordia Teachers College, was called to become the first state certificated teacher. In 1919, after Mr. Reese had accepted a position to another Lutheran school, Rudolf Kuehnert had charge of the school for one term.
    In 1920, E.A. Buchholz, graduate of Concordia Teachers College, Seward, was called as principal of the school. He has functioned in this capacity for 26 years. He also serves as organist and choir director.
    In 1928, the teaching staff was augmented. A woman teacher was called to teach the lower four grades. Thus every child of school age within the congregation was given an opportunity to attend this weekday parish school for the full eight years. While a one-room school, the enrollment varied from 35 to 60. With the strengthening of the teaching staff, the enrollment rose steadily reaching 104 at its peak. At present the enrollment stands at 67. All children of school age within the congregation, with the exception of a few, are enrolled.
    To the standards and achievements of the school, aside from its principal purpose, that of building citizens for heaven, we let the records speak. Graduates of Christ Lutheran school have achieved high standards in the state eighth grade examinations, county and state spelling contests, and have done commendable work in the local public high schools. The school enjoys an audio-visual educational program. Religious and educational pictures are shown weekly. Serving on the board of education are Rev. Borneman, Mr. Buchholz, Adolf Behrens, Otto Korte and Julius Hollmann.
    After the contemplated new school building has become a reality, the educational plant of Christ Lutheran will rank among the finest of its kind in the state. Lavern Franzen is the new teacher in charge of grades 1-4.

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