Grace Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - Paris Texas

It took many years for God to open the door for a Lutheran Church in Paris. The Reverend G. C. Albers, who served the congregations in Honey Grove and Clarksville, would occasionally hold services for the Lutherans who resided in Paris. The years were 1928 to 1945.

In 1942, it was noted by the Rev. Albers that there were many Lutherans living in Paris because of the war and Camp Maxey. The Rev. Albers sought permission from the Texas District to open a mission in Paris. Permission came on February 4, 1945, and this was the first step in opening the door in Paris.

The following is a history of the early years of Grace Lutheran Church as written by someone who was present at the beginning.

The Texas District Mission Board sent a trailer mission to Paris in the early spring of 1946 under the supervision of the Reverend D. Hafeman and Hubert Truede. The purpose of this mission was to ascertain the possibilities for establishing a Lutheran Church here.

A call was sent to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri and was given to Rev. John H. Geisler of Fort Worth, Texas.

Rev. Geisler came to Paris in early September, 1946.

The first Lutheran service was held in the home of A. H. Karcher, 1744 Neathery, on September 29, 1946, with 10 people attending.

From October 6 to December 15, Lutheran services were held in the Directors' room of the local camber of commerce.

Beginning with December 22, the place of worship was changed to the music room of the Paris High School gymnasium.

On January 6, 1947, seven voters of the congregation met in the County Agent's office and took initial steps toward official organization and incorporation under the lows of the State of Texas. The name "Grace Lutheran Church of Paris, Texas" was adopted as the official name for the congregation. The church was organized with 28 baptized members, 19 communicants and 8 voting members.

Eight ladies of the congregation met February 5 at the home of Mrs. B. R. Colwick, 743 6th S.E., and organized a Ladies Society.

Pastors A.O. Rast and A.F. Michalk, members of the Texas District Mission Board, arrived in Paris February 12 to look over several possible sites for a permanent church location. No property was purchased at this time however.

On Sunday, August 31, the first annual Mission Festival services were held, with the Rev. M.J. Prifogle of Denison speaking at morning and afternoon services in the band room of the high school gymnasium. Ninety-Six attended the morning service, 83 the afternoon, a total for the day of 179. Total offering for the day was $106.59, of which $84.29 was for mission work throughout the world. Visitors from Clarksville, Honey Grove, and Dallas attended the services.

On Sunday afternoon, February 15, 1948, the Rev. A.O. Rast, Associate Field Secretary of the Mission Board of Texas District, met with the members of Grace Lutheran church at the colwick home, 625 Grand, to discuss building plans for the proposed chapel. This chapel was to be erected on 19th Street S.E. south of Clarksville Street on the property being purchased from Mrs. Turner Roberts of Los Angeles, California.

A set of preliminary church plans were drawn by Mr. Joe Williamson, local architect. These plans were approved by the congregation, then by the Mission Board.

However, a snag was hit in the plans to purchase the church property. On account of restrictive covenants limiting the property in Crockett Place Addition to residences, Attorney for the mission Board, Geo. W. Anderson of Wichita Falls, refused to approve the title for purchase. The pastor and several of the members then busied themselves in securing written permission from every property owner in the addition giving Grace Lutheran the right to build a church and church buildings in the restricted area. All but three owners signed the release. In the light of Supreme Court decisions stating that the State may not enforce religious or racial restrictive covenants, Mr. Anderson removed his disapproval and the sale was made of 3 lots from Mrs. Roberts. The deed was filed for record July 19 at the Lamar County Court House.

Plans for church building again had to be shelved when Rev. Rast reported to the local church that the Church Extension Board would be unable to make the necessary loan to Grace Lutheran until the first of the year 1949.

On Sunday, August 29, 1948, the second annual Mission Festival services in the auditorium of the American Legion Building, with the Rev. D. Dautenhahn of Tyler delivering the sermons. Eighty-six attended the morning service, 75 the afternoon. A total of $164.48 was donated for world mission work at both services. Visitors again came from honey Grove and Clarksville. This year, as opposed to the former year, members of the host church gave by far the larger percentage of the mission offering, envelope collection alone totaling over $112.00.

The congregation was granted membership in the Lutheran church - Missouri Synod by action of the TX District convention on June 8, 1948.

"We chose the name, 'Grace Lutheran Church' for here the 'Grace of God which bringeth salvation' is offered to all in the word and in the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. May God's grace lead us all to a full and confident trust in Jesus Christ as our Only hope of heaven, our Way to eternal life." so wrote Pastor Geisler, in the Dedication Day folder in 1950.

We pick up the following history as recorded by the Reverend Robert W. Hill in the history that was published for the 20th anniversary of the church. He writes:

Construction of this chapel began with groundbreaking November 27, 1949. Mr. Will Horne and Son were the contractors. Mr. W. Stringfellow, Jr. was the architect.

This building in which are now worshipping was dedicated Sunday, March 12, 1950. the Rev. George J. Beto, then president of Concordia Lutheran college in Austin, was the speaker.

the erection of this building from the Church Extension Fund of the Texas District. the total cost of our chapel was $17,225. The land cost $6,000. A large proportion of this debt has been paid directly by our fellow Christians in the Texas District. We presently have a debt of about $6,000.

At the dedication of Grace Lutheran's new building, there were 29 baptized, 19 communicants, 8 voters. In the first three years 25 souls had been either transferred or release to other congregations.

During Rev. John H. Geisler's ministry, the peak membership was 51 souls, 35 communicants and 11 voters (on) August 8, 1948. When he received a call to Orange, California, Sept., 1950, the membership was only 25 souls.

On March 1, 1951, Rev. Richard Dinda was installed. He remained until July, 1952, when he took a call to Concordia College, Austin. Membership went from 27 up to 41 back down to 24 souls by the time he left.

Rev. Virgil Meyer, presently serving as pastor at Richardson, Texas, was installed October19, 1952. The peak membership under Pastor Meyer's ministry came when Mrs. H.L.Raper was received by transfer on May 16, 1953. Mrs. Raper, who is still with us, was number 70. By July of 1954 the membership was down to 45 souls and Pastor Meyer took a call to Texas City.

A long vacancy of over a year was served by Rev. Hiegert of Dallas.

September 4, 1955, Rev. Paul Schumacher was installed. By the time the books were cleared he had only 22 souls to serve. During the vacancy a congregation was begun in Sulfur Springs to which Grace transferred three families, accounting somewhat for the great loss in members.

In 1956 under the leadership of Rev. Paul Schumacher, Grace produced their first "Living Nativity" for the city of Paris at Christmas time. During Pastor Schumacher's ministry at Paris the congregation reached a peak of 46 souls and remained at 40 when he accepted a call to Good Shepherd, Irving, Texas, January 1, 1957.

August 31, 1957, the Rev. A.M. Boysen was installed as pastor of Grace. The record enrollment came with baptism of Steven Raper, when it again reached 70. When Pastor Boysen accepted the call to Tallohoma, Tennessee, March 5, 1961, the membership was at 62.

July 16, 1961, your present pastor, Robert W. Hill was ordained and installed. The membership of Grace when he arrived was 57 souls, 40 communicants and 15 voters. Not until August of 1964 did we surge ahead of the previous record of 70 souls, and by August of 1965 we finally reached 100 souls, when the baptism of Ruel Laverne Marten was recorded. in August of 1966, we dropped back to 87. The present tabulation is 107 souls and 74 communicants and 25 voters after twenty years in Paris.

During these twenty years, our records show that only two were taken to their eternal home while members of Grace Lutheran, 59 were released, 153 were transferred, 34 were lost to the church through moving without transfer, 5 were lost through self exclusion or excommunication.

During the past twenty years 67 have been baptized and 55 confirmed and 17 marriages have been solemnized.

the Gospel ministry of Grace Lutheran Church has produced far from what we may call spectacular results. As the "ups and downs" of membership imply, there have been times of great discouragement. Some of our members of longer duration can remember when two pews would have easily seated all the people on some Sundays. Those were not easy days for pastor and people to be optimistic about god's blessings of growth.

But even the past has a bright side. Consider the opportunity which Grace has had to serve those 250 people who were on our rolls at one time and speak to them of the love of Jesus during their stay in Paris. We can be sure that many were kept faithful to their Lord because there was a church for them in Paris. consider the 67 baptized, most of whom were children brought by this means into a saving relationship with the Triune God.

It was during this time that the congregation added the education wing and remodeled the church. The groundbreaking took place on February 11, 1968. The dedication of the new facilities took place June 9, 1968. The designer of the new facility was Randy Reese, the architect was B.P. Denny, the contractor was Harry S. Fry, of Paris. The Rev. Robert Helberg, Vice-President of the TX District was the guest speaker for the service. At the time, the congregation had 120 baptized members, and 84 communicants.

It was during the eleven years of Pastor Hill's service at Grace that the church went off of District subsidy. Grace became self-supporting in January, 1972.

The Rev. Robert Hill served Grace until he accepted a call to Faith Lutheran Church in Plano in September, 1972. The last report we have submitted by Pastor Hill is on December 31, 1971, lists the congregation as 170 baptized members, 104 communicants and average attendance of 93.

During the vacancy, the Rev. Thomas Krause of Sulphur Springs conducted the services at Grace, while the Rev. Robert Helberg, of Texarkana, served as vacancy Pastor.

The Rev. William Allwardt, a 1973 graduate of the seminary at Springfield, was installed on August 12, 1973. Pastor Allwardt served as pastor of Grace for 5 years. Year-end statistics for 1973 indicated a baptized membership of 168, communicant of 110, and average attendance of 81.

The church's outdoor sign, installed on the west wall of the education building, was purchased as a 30the Anniversary Gift by the congregation in 1977. At the end of 1977, baptized membership was 224, and communicant membership was 158. Pastor Allwardt accepted a call in May, 1978.

The Rev. Bobby N. Vasek was installed in February, 1979. At the end of the year, membership stood at 178 baptized, 129 communicant, with average attendance of 85. He accepted a call in November, 1982.

The Rev. Carl E. Kasper of Houston served as vacancy pastor.

The Rev. James A. Beversdorf was installed in July of 1983. There were 183 baptized members, 142 communicant, and average attendance of 60, in 1983. He left Grace in 1987. Statistics for that year record 165 baptized members, 129 communicant members, and average attendance of 49.

1987 was the year that our beautiful stained-glass cross was installed over our altar. It was given in loving memory of Mrs. Joyce Meier, a long-time member, who died of cancer. The Rev. Thomas Olson, of Honey Grove, presided over the dedication.

The Rev. Steve Scheiderer was installed in October, 1987. during his time at Grace, we were able to purchase and install a new Rodgers electronic organ. At the end of 1989, the membership of the congregation stood at 130 baptized, 92 communicant, and average attendance of 53. he accepted a call to Bountiful, Utah, in January, 1990.

It was in 1990 that Grace ended its dual parish arrangement with St. John's, Clarksville. The Rev. Ronald C. Paseur was called in April of 1990, and ordained and installed on September 2, 1990. At the end of 1990, there were 114 baptized members, 97 communicant, and average attendance of 48.

In 1991, our new communionware, including a chalice, ciborium, flagon and three trays of individual cups were donated by Dennis and Sandra Schmidt, to the glory of God. Also in 1991, thanks to the generosity of Christ Pshigoda, a friend of Grace, we were able to purchase and dedicate a new paschal candle stand and advent wreath, as well as a new sound system and a security system.

In 1994, the church dedicated new green paraments, altar linens, and communion linens, given in memory of George Stevens, who had passed away the year before.

In 1995 the property east of the church was purchased and in 1996 a parking lot installed, doubling our parking capacity. current long range plans call for the construction of a new parish hall behind the sanctuary, with expanded Sunday School and Fellowship facilities. This new building will allow Grace to expand its programming, perhaps adding a Pre-School or Day School at some point in the future.

Also in 1996, Pastor and Tracy Paseur donated a stained glass window designed and crafted by Pastor Paseur, for our Narthex. in loving memory of his Mother and her Father.

Most recently, on May 25 of this year, we dedicated a new illuminated, steel cross for the west wall of the education building, which was donated in loving memory of Phillip Lochbrunner, a long-time member of Grace, who passed away in 1996.

As of 1996 the living Nativity has been performed for 45 consecutive years. What started out in the city park has ended up on the parking lot next to the church. Costumes have been made, repaired and remade by the supporters of this event. We currently have a shed to hold the manger, Herod's throne, and other props. In the past they have been stored at various locations around the city. Live animals actors, donkey and sheep, have added to the dramatic effect of each presentation.

Shortly after the performance in 1995, the donkey, Jenny, gave birth to Joseph. Sadly, after 12 years of performing in Nativity, Jenny died this spring. Joseph is only one of her many offspring and we are wondering which one will carry Mary to the stable in Bethlehem in the future. Brooks Williams generously let us make use of Jenny's talents, and the sheep are owned by Rick Zant. Our thanks to both of these individuals for enriching the Living Nativity through the use of their animals. The congregation hopes that the tradition of performing the Living Nativity each Christmas never ends.

After 50 years, the women's organization organized in 1947 is still in existence. It is now known as the Mary-Martha Society and is affiliated with the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. Its members support a young girl through Children's International; collect items such as soap, eyeglasses, labels, etc. in support of the organizations that collect them; hold a LWR drive each Spring by collecting clothing and making school kits, health kits, and layettes; collect and send Mites to the Texas District LWML; collect items each month for Family Haven, monitor and contribute to the Food Pantry; distribute welcome baskets to new members; support the Altar Guild; and generally lends a hand to the work of the church. The congregation of Grace generously supports the many endeavors of the Mary-Martha Society of the LWML and of Grace.

There is no record of the age of the choir, but, after many years, it carries on with praising God with special music. The number of choir members are few at the moment, but they are dedicated to enriching the worship of as many Sundays as they can under the direction of our Choir Director, Naomi Radke.

Pastor Byrd is presently serving Grace. His records indicate that Grace presently has 87 baptized members, 84 communicant members, 26 voting members, and 3 children enrolled in Sunday School. Average attendance is now 45.

With God's grace, Grace Lutheran Church will continue in Paris as long as it serves His purpose and according to His will.