On Sunday, Peace Lutheran Church in Split Rock will celebrate its 125th anniversary. There will be a service at 10:15 a.m., followed by dinner at noon and then a celebration service at 2 p.m.
The Rev. Craig Nehring has been the church’s pastor for six years.
“When you go to church, it feels like home,” Nehring said.
Nehring, Dennis and Dawn Kersten, Henry and Joyce Hoeksema, and Lee and Linda Kreklow are on the anniversary committee.
“My mother was born and raised in this church,” Joyce Hoeksema said.
The first church, a 20- by 30-foot log building, was built in 1890. In 1917, that building was torn down and the current church was built.
Changes were made when the steeple was removed in 1946 after being hit by lightning. In 1963, the sanctuary and basement were redecorated.
In 1990, at the 100th anniversary, a new entry was built to enclose the front steps, and restrooms were added along with an elevator to the sanctuary. The old wood entry doors still open to the sanctuary.
There were services in German until 1948. Nehring did some searching around the church and found an old Bible and church records, all in German.
The members are dedicated to keeping the church going.
“Heritage is the main reason,” Hoeksema said. “I have parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents in the cemetery.”
“Our parents were here all those years,” Dennis Kersten said. “Our grandparents built the church.”
Members take turns on a monthly basis cleaning the church. There is a kitchen and dining area downstairs. There is a spring and fall cleanup.
Jane Pringnitz and Larry Pringnitz Sr. take care of the cemetery, where the first burial date was in 1891. A beam from the old log church was made into a cross for the cemetery.
The church’s youth group consists mainly of Bethany and Mary Kreklow, daughters of Lee and Linda Kreklow. Bethany, 14, and Mary, 11, have planted and tended a garden at the Tigerton Community Garden for three years. They take their vegetables to the members of the church. The leftover produce is taken to the sister church in Caroline.
Each year they have tried new vegetables; this year it was okra. They also planted a salsa garden to grow their own salsa ingredients. With their mother’s help, they make salsa and sell it to earn money for a mission trip. They also make jams to sell at church and have reserved a booth at Applefest.
The church has a soup supper in February and a pie stand at Tigerton Lumberjack Days every other year. The women make quilts to send to Lutheran World Services.
In August, the church had an old-fashioned worship service to celebrate the 125 years. Members wore old-style clothing, used old hymnals, and men and women sat on separate sides of the church, as was the custom in the old days.
On Sunday, there will be barbecue, ham, potatoes, baked beans and salads, along with homemade desserts. Tents will be set up for any overflow.
Two previous pastors, the Rev. Robert A. Rosenberg (1968-1973) and the Rev. Jonathon L. Sachs (1979-1989), will attend.
The members are looking forward to celebrating their church and its history.
Nehring, who is also pastor at Zion in Caroline, enjoys the country churches.
“It’s more personal,” Nehring said. “You get to know people.”
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