PLATTE COUNTY, NEBRASKA
CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH HISTORY

The congregation of Christ Lutheran church on Loseke creek, north of Columbus, will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of this first Lutheran church in Platte county and the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the present house of worship with services next Sunday, June 7.
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The Christ Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized in 1871, by Rev. F. Kuegele, at that time pastor and missionary at Omaha. The first Lutheran services in the county were held in a log cabin near Shell creek. Later the congregation met in public schoolhouses and in 1877 the first church building was erected [at a cost of $1,200]. First elders of the congregation were Edwin Ahrens, John Grotelueschen and John Brock. Rev. C.W. Baumhoefener was the first pastor, serving from 1871 to 1874.

The present church building was started in 1920, the cornerstone being laid on July 4 of that year and the new house of worship being dedicated Sept. 18, 1921. This was during the pastorate of Rev. J.P. Kuehnert.

During the six decades since the organization of the church the following have served as pastors: Rev. C.W. Baumhoefener, 1871-1874; Rev. Ernst Frese, 1874-1881; Rev. H. Fischer, 1881-1894; Rev. A.W. Frese, 1894-1905; Rev. E. Denninger, 1906-1918; Rev. J.P. Kuehnert, 1918-1928; Rev. H.L. Borneman, 1928 till the present time.

A parochial school has been maintained by the congregation since soon after the founding of the church. This school was taught by the various pastors and during the pastorate of Rev. A.W. Frese, by his daughter, Miss Dora Frese, until 1907, when the first regular teacher was called. Those who have served as teachers during the past 21 years were: Prof. W. Reese, 1907-1919; Student Rudolph Kuehnert, 1919-1920; Prof. E.A. Buchholtz, since 1920. Three years ago an extra teacher was added to have charge of the four lower grades, Miss Esther Hartmann serving from 1928 to 1930 and Miss Marie Bornemann, since 1930. During the past year the school had an enrollment of 94 pupils.

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