Living In Faith Together (LIFT)
  • What is LIFT?
    • About Us
    • LIFT Churches
  • Serving Our Community
    • Bridge of Hope
    • Mercy Fund
  • Calendar & Events
    • Lent
    • VBS
    • Backpack Buddies
  • LIFT Documents
  • What is LIFT?
    • About Us
    • LIFT Churches
  • Serving Our Community
    • Bridge of Hope
    • Mercy Fund
  • Calendar & Events
    • Lent
    • VBS
    • Backpack Buddies
  • LIFT Documents

​The history of
St. John's, Grace, St. Mark, Trinity, and Faith Lutheran in Fremont.
If you have any information, materials, or pictures to add please email liftparishllc@gmail.com
2000-2016
Pastors at Grace
Rev. Nathan Koenig 2004-2005
Rev. Paul Gruetter 2003-2011
Rev. Joel Remmers 1994-2002

Visitation Pastors at Grace

Rev. James Avers 2004-present
Rev. Lloyd Linder 1995-2004


Pastors at Trinity
Rev. Richard Moe 1983-2003
Rev. Keith Koppenhoffer 2005- 2015

2001- Grace / Wednesday night "Spirit" ministry developed.
1950-1999
Pastors at Grace
Rev. Joel Remmers 1994-2002
Rev. Beth Wright 1989-1993
Rev. John R. Seraphine 1977-1989
Rev. Paul G. Fuchs 1974-1997

Rev. Paul Fritz 1971-1976
Rev. George Jensen 1964-1971
Rev. John Mittermaier 1963-1974

Rev. James Essinger 1960-1971
Rev. William Deutschmann 1955-1960
Rev. Lawrence S. Price 1938-1964


Visitation Pastors at Grace
Rev. Lloyd Linder 1995-2004
Rev. Robert Zoeller 1990-1994
Rev. William G. Slates 1971-1989
Rev. Art Kettner 1968-1971
Rev. William Bensch 1966-1968


Lay Ministers @ Grace

Carl Trick 1989
 Maureen Pump 1992- present
Robert Hartman 1994


Pastors at St. Mark
Rev. Frederick M. Otto 1936-1956


Pastors at Trinity

Rev. Richard Moe 1983-2003
Rev. Michael Massa 1979-1983
Rev Louis Hermansen 1962-1964

Pastors at St. John
Charles Bauer 1972-1977
Andrew Klopfer 1967-1977
Rev. E.E. Zimmerman, 1941- 1971
Marvin Miller 1961 - 1966

1948-1972 Grace Stained Glass windows were installed in the Sanctuary
December 27th, 1953
The Parish Hall of Trinity Lutheran was dedicated
July 26, 1953
The Original organ in St. Marks was replaced with a new one designed by Prof. Christhard Mahrenholz of Hannover, Germany and built by the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, New York.  This organ was installed in a new choir loft at the rear of the nave (our current choir loft) and dedicated.

 
1960
  A call was issued to Rev. Marvin Miller of New Baltimore, Michigan to become the assistant pastor of the congregation. After five years in that capacity, Rev. Miller left St. John's to become head pastor of a congregation in Dayton, Ohio.
January 7th, 1964
The former Salem and St. Paul congregations merged into a single congregation, Faith Lutheran Church.
May 19th, 1968
The dedication of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church building.
1967
            A call was then sent to Rev. Andrew Klopfer of North Royalton, Ohio to become an associate at St. John's. He accepted and began serving in that capacity. Just previous to his coming, a residence on Wood Street which had been willed to the congregation, was remodeled and became our third parsonage.
1971
  Rev. Zimmerman retired and moved to his home on the Michigan Upper Peninsula. As we have recently learned, he is still active in serving his church by by helping organize a new Lutheran congregation at Trout Lake where he lives.
 1972
Pastor Klopfer became head Pastor Charles Bauer of Dayton, Ohio were added to make up our present ministerial staff.
1973
 The church nave was refurnished with new carpeting and pews. New doors were added to the building and a new bulletin board and parking lot added to the church properties.
1974 Grace The chapel Mosaic was installed in the Sanctuary

1977-1978 Grace refurbishing of the facility
1981 Grace - The Ohio District Convention of the American Lutheran Church was hosted by the Lutheran Churches of Sandusky County. at Grace
1985 Grace / The Baptism Mosaic was installed in the Sanctuary of Grace
1987 Grace / Property to the west of the sanctuary was purchased after repeated attempts, beginning in 1920. The parking lot and church sign was dedicated in 1989.
1989 Grace / 9:20 am service begins
1990   Grace / “Mission 90” Program implemented. Lay Staff became part of Grace Lutheran Church’s ministry: Carl Trick (1989), Maureen Pump (1992), and Robert Hartman (1994).
1992    Grace -  Centennial of Grace Lutheran Church. Guests included: Pastor John Mittermaier, Pastor Lawrence C. Price, Paul Manz, Organist, and John Ylvisaker, Songwriter.
1993   Grace “Mission 90 Plus” Program implemented to begin plans for refurbishing the facility, additional lay staffing, and special offerings for the mission of the church (Lutheran Social Services, Trinity Seminary, and Capital University.)


1900-1950
Pastors at Grace
Rev. Arthur Peffly 1930-1938
Rev. Lawrence Price D.D. 1938-?

Pastors at St. John's

Rev. George Mochel 1892-1906
Rev. Wm. F. Rose, 1906-1941
Rev. E.E. Zimmerman, 1941- 1971





Pastors at St. Mark's
Rev. Edwin Marker 1914 (Services Held in St. Paul Episcopal Church)
H.W. Monesmith
Jay B. Weygandt
George F. Weissling
Rev. Frederick M. Otto 1936 - 1956
James E. Garrison
Richard H. Glover
Milton C. Mann
Ann Cox
Robin Oye
Meg Knapp
Keith Koppenhofer

In 1903 in response to a great need, the young men of Grace formed an organization.

In 1906 Rev. Mochel resigned due to ill health and the same year St. John's called Rev. William F. Rose of Norwalk to be the pastor. Under his leadership the fast growing congregation established a building fund for the erection of new buildings as they became necessary. This project began to be realized when in 1909 a new parsonage was erected adjacent to the church edifice. The efforts of the group did not stop with this. The following words of Rev. Rose give evidence of his ambitions and wise foresight: "We have a new parsonage and now for a new church."

1909 St. Johns building of the present parsonage

On February 3, 1914, 28 adults met and organized the Saint Mark Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.  The first worship service was held on the following day, Feb. 4, 1914.  There were 28 charter members of St. Mark.  The first permanent Pastor was Rev. Edwin Marker, who came to Fremont in June of 1914.  For 2 years, services were held in the chapel of St. Paul Episcopal Church until the completion and dedication of this building on Feb. 13, 1916.  

  On May 11, 1919, the present magnificent House of God was dedicated to the service of the Almighty. The old church itself actually has a part in the new building. The bricks, black walnut and white elm timbers from the old church, seasoned with age, have lent their strength and beauty to the new church and the sweet toned bell, which for many years pealed forth from the old tower, is hung in the new. Of distinct beauty are the elegantly colored art glass windows made of imported art glass from Bavaria.

The first parsonage for St. Marks, 905 E. State, across the street from the church, was purchased in 1924.  It was sold during Dr. Otto’s ministry when 908 E. State became available.


1928- Groundbreaking for present church facility at 705  West State Street for Grace Lutheran
1929 Grace Lutheran Cornerstone laid.

1930- Grace Lutheran dedication of present Education Wing and Parsonage (now office)
June 15, 1941- Grace Lutheran / After 35 years of faithful service, Rev. Rose retired. A call was given to Rev. E. E. Zimmerman of Moulton, Ohio who accepted and began his duties . During the next thirty years, the church sanctuary was renovated, the parish house erected, one organ rebuilt and later replaced with the fine new instrument we now enjoy.  During that time, also, the Court Street parking lot was developed and the house on Court Street purchased and later used as a second parsonage. With the steady growth of membership and activities, need for additional pastoral help became apparent.

1943 - The 100th Anniversary Celebration of St. John

1944 - St. Johns dedication of rebuilding of the organ
1948 - The National Convention of the former American Lutheran Church was held at Grace Lutheran Church.
1948-1978 - Grace Stained Glass were installed in Sanctuary.

1850-1899
Pastors at St. John
Rev. George Mochel, 1892-1906
Rev. Carl Ackerman, 1892-1892
Rev. Edward Pfeiffer 1890-1892
Rev. Henry Lang 1843-1890

Pastors at Grace
Rev. Edward Pfeiffer D.D1892-1899
Rev. Walter Tressel D.D1899-1929

1853 - Name of the Congregation was changed to Evangelical Lutheran St. John's congregation.

1857- Resolution passed to erect new church

1858 - Laying of corner stone of Old Church

The Old Church of St. John's was dedicated on October 31st, 1861.

1870- The first church bell for St. Johns was hung in tower.

1873 - Completion of tall church spire for St. Johns
1884 - Replacing of the present church bell for St. Johns

1892- Grace Lutheran Church was founded in order to provide services to the English language for a growing generation of young Lutherans. The charter membership of the church was 148 members.
April 19th, 1892 -The first meeting of the Women Home Missionary Society for Grace Lutheran Church.
1893- First Sanctuary for Grace Lutheran dedicated.


1800-1849
1820 - Settling of the Lutherans in Sandusky County
1830 - Rev. A Konrad Conducts the Initial Worship Service

1841 - Rev. Hernry Lang called to Pastorate
1843 - Congregation of St. Johns was incorporated as the Evangelical and German Reformed St. Johns
Rev. Henry Lang 1843-1890

In 1820, just seven years after the battle of Fort Stevenson, Sandusky County was organized. Soon German Lutherans were moving into the area recently opened for settlement. Many came from Pennsylvania, some by way of Lake Erie as far as Huron, then by wagon, others by early trails into southern Ohio. Most of them were attracted by the rich agricultural lands of the Black Swamp and the challenge it offered. The spiritual need of these early pioneers were served by missionaries on a month's leave from their regular congregations in western Pennsylvania and Southern Ohio. Services at that time were usually held at the home of some family in community.

Traveling missionarires were amoung the first to minister to the spiritual needs of the early Lutheran pioneers of this Black Swamp area from 1827 to 1836, the former Salem Congregation was formed as the first Lutheran church in Sandusky County. The former St. Paul, Lindsey was organized in 1845.

            In 1836 Rev. A. Konrad of Tiffin, although having nine preaching places in Seneca and Wyandot counties, agreed to serve the Lutherans of the Fremont area every four or six weeks. His health soon gave out and upon his death in 1841, Rev. Beilharts of New York state was called to the pastorate, working out of Tiffin. During the next tow years the small Fremont group, meeting in the Howland Street school house, began forming the nucleus of an organized congregation. However, it became more and more apparent that the services of a full time pastor were needed. A young man, Henry Lang, while attending the Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, had already been approached by Rev. Konrad to consider coming t this area upon graduation. He accepted a call in 1843 to come and serve a congregation of 40 in Fremont as well as one west of town. Soon after his arrival the Fremont group was incorporated as the Evangelical and German Reformed St. John's Congregation but was changed ten years later to Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Congregation. In 1843 the congregational purchased from the county commissioners for $810.00, the old court house and two lots on which it and the old parsonage. The shell of this building is still being used in the residence of Walter Zwir which is located at the eastern en of Clover Street.. Services were held in this building for fifteen years before a new brick church was erected in 1861 on the sight of our present one. Because of the Civil War, it was not until 1870 when the first spire was hung in the tower and three years later when a church spire was erected. The another which hangs in the tower of the present church.

During the 47 years of Rev. Lang's pastorate, St. John's grew to 800 members. After his death the congregation extended a call to Rev. Edward Pfeiffer of Delaware, Ohio. An associate pastor for the growing parish soon became evident, and the Rev. Carl Ackerman was called. This arrangement answered the purpose of the congregation for a short time. Soon circumstances arose, because of the language problem, which English withdrew and formed Grace Lutheran Congregation. They then issued a call to Rev. Pfeiffer to be their pastor and he accepted. The pulpit of St. John's Congregation having become vacant, the Rev. George Mochel of Galion, Ohio was called and served fourteen years.


We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!


Email

liftparishllc@gmail.com