German Evangelical Friedens Congregation
This congregation, a member of the German Evangelical Synod of North
America, was founded September 8, 1895, by Reverend C. F. Off, with thirty
members. The first officers elected were: Martin Oswald, Henry Fues,
Herman Meese, John Wendt. In April, 1896, Reverend Theo F. Krueger, of
Cumberland, Indiana, was elected as permanent pastor of the congregation.
In the Summer of this year the congregation bought the church property of
the English Methodist Episcopal congregation, at 516 Ninth Street. In
October, 1899, Reverend Krueger left the congregation, and Reverend J. F.
C. Trefzer was elected as his successor. Under his management the
parsonage was built south of the church, No. 520 Ninth Street.
When Reverend Trefzer left the congregation in October, 1903, Reverend Ed
E. Klimpke of Aurora, Illinois, the present pastor, was called to succeed
him. He took up the work in the congregation the 1st of May, 1904. In 1905
and 1906 the church was rebuilt with a cost of $2,000. The officers of the
congregation at present are: Reverend Ed E.. Klimpke, pastor; John Wendt,
president; Carl Krueger, secretary; Herman Meese, treasurer; Otto Woest,
secretary. The congregation has at present a membership of about one
hundred and fifty The Ladies' Aid Society has seventy-five members. The
officers are: Mrs. Emma Kann, president; Mrs. Fennesy, vice-president;
Mrs. Dora Krueger, secretary; Mrs. Elise Seidel, treasurer; Mrs. Pomranke,
financial secretary. The Young People's Society has about thirty members.
The officers are: Reverend Ed E. Klimpke, president; Miss Olga Krueger,
vice-president; Miss Martha Kilmpke, secretary; Mr. Arthur Lenz,
treasurer; Miss Bertha Pomranke, financial secretary; Miss Martha Schmidt,
librarian.
The Sunday school has a membership of about one hundred.
Churches of Rock Island County
Source: Historic Rock Island County, pub. Kramer & Company, Rock Island, Illinois, 1908