06-20-19 100th Anniversary of Salem Lutheran Church: The third and final chapter of history

100th Anniversary of Salem Lutheran Church: The third and final chapter of history

By Marilyn Pleyer, Church member As we share this last installment of Salem’s history for our 100-year anniversary, I think of every “today” since January 1, 2019 that became part of our history just by the passing of 24 hours! We pray for God to continue to bless our next 100 years, taking as our motto the words found in Psalm 119:90, “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations.”

September 1982 Salem Lutheran Church, located at 275 Marvin Street, started holding kindergarten classes. The teacher and administrator was Mrs. Gail Meschke. The members of Salem saw the benefits of Lutheran education, and so in 1983 the school expanded, allowing for the enrollment of first and second graders. Unfortunately, due to low enrollment and other unforeseen circumstances, Salem closed the grade school program after a few years. However, Salem still believes in the importance of Christian education. Today Salem Lutheran Preschool continues to teach 3- and 4-year-old children in a Christ-centered environment, offering chapel once per week where children learn songs and stories that teach them of Jesus’ love for them. Salem Preschool has been blessed with many great teacher/ administrators over the years and has been again with Michele Arms since 2017. Women’s Suffrage was ratified at a special Voters Meeting on November 11, 1985. This allowed women to vote at Voters Meetings and to hold positions on some of the church boards. Salem had taken out a mortgage to build its education wing and on February 21, 1988, held a “mortgage burning” in celebration of it being paid off. On June 30, 1990 Rev. William E. Fischer delivered his farewell sermon and retired. Rev. Elmer Sedory became their Vacancy Pastor until March 10, 1991 when Rev. Mark A. Steinke was installed. April 17, 1994 Salem started its 75th Anniversary Celebration with a 10 a.m. Sunday service and the guest pastor was Rev. John L. Heins, President of the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Immediately following, Salem had a grand banquet held at Coloma High School and catered by Fireside Inn in Stevensville. In attendance was 237 people including guest Pastor Heins, Rev. William Fischer – former pastor of Salem, Rev. Philip Quardokus from Christ Lutheran of Stevensville, Rev. Elmer Sedory (retired), and Rev. Gregg A. Stanton, a son of Salem working as Pastor of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Cypress, TX. In August Salem was happy to welcome, a former pastor’s son as a guest Pastor, Rev. David Kipp. In 2001 a number of structural improvements were made to the church for handicap accessibility such as a ramp under the carport and an elevator to access activities in the basement. Rev. Steinke accepted a call in 2004 to Columbus, OH and Rev. Jon Bendewald served as Interim Pastor until Rev. Allen R. Strefling was ordained and installed July 31, 2005. Salem erected a new sign, put a new roof on the educational wing, and bought new hymnals, Lutheran Service Book, in 2006. October 28, 2007 they celebrated the 50th Anniversary of their current church building. On December 30th of that year Pastor Strefling was called home to be with his Lord. Rev. Duane Krueger served as Interim Pastor in 2008 and on August 3, 2008 Rev. Andrew P. Menz was installed. In 2009 the church celebrated their 90th Anniversary. Rev. Paul A. Maier served as a guest pastor and speaker on August 30th, and on November 1st Salem held a banquet featuring guest speaker Rev. David Buegler, 5th Vice President of the synod. Rev. Andrew Menz accepted a call to Zion Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI in late 2016. His last service was January 8, 2017. Following his departure, Rev. Carl W. Bassett served as Interim Pastor and on August 13, 2017 Rev. Alex Hoffmeyer was installed as Pastor of Salem. There have been other rough spots and high points over the years at Salem such as during WWII and the 1950s if the pastor was not available it would be necessary to cancel services. During Rev. Steinke’s term the church had a large youth group that went to the National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, Texas. Rev. Menz was instrumental in setting up the disc golf course in Flaherty Park, Watervliet. Mrs. Menz led a Mothers of Preschooler (MOPS) program. Salem has helped support the education of several members to become pastors, musical directors, church staffers, deaconesses, and to do missionary work. Remember to check the Community Calendar in the Tri-City Record for the upcoming events and join anytime for worship on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. or Monday evenings in the summer at 6:00 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day. The church office is open from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday thru Friday, or leave a message anytime at 269-468-6567.

I would like to thank many people who have helped me in writing these articles. Not just the members of Salem but the historical departments of Wisconsin and Missouri Synods, and libraries in Coloma and Watervliet. Last but not least, Karl Bayer and the staff at Tri-City Record for their help and in publishing Salem’s history.

Meet Up and Eat Up lunch program sponsored by Watervliet Schools

Watervliet Public Schools announces the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program for Children. FREE meals will be made available to children 18 years of age and under or persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally or physically disabled that is recognized by a State or local public educational agency. The meals will be provided without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided Monday thru Friday of the following schedule: Watervliet South School, 433 Lucinda Lane will serve breakfast from 9:30-10:15 a.m., through June 28, and July 8 to August 9. They will serve lunch from 11-11:35 a.m. through June 28. Lunch will be served on the following Thursdays from 11:50 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. at the Watervliet Public Library, 333 N. Main St. following the library’s summer childrens programs: June 20 and 27, and July 11, 18 and 25. Watervliet Middle School, 450 E. Red Arrow Hwy will serve breakfast and lunch during Band Camp scheduled for August 5 – 9. Breakfast will be 9:40 – 10 a.m. and lunch will be 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. All meals must be eaten on site. Adult meals may be purchased at a cost of $3. Please call the Food and Nutrition Services office at 463-0799 for more information.