The Chronicle of the Church
The history of the Second Congregational Church in Portland, OR. from its organization to the Year 1927 by Reverend Heinrich Hagelganz
Here are shown all important events, the references on the development of the church:
On June 1st 1913, Brothers G. Hohnstein, C. Wacker, L. Deines and Christian Baecker (all members of the Free Evangelical Brethren Church) came on a visit out to Beaverton, Oregon where we were stationed at the time and gave us the opportunity to share their thoughts besides the ideas of many other families of the above‑mentioned church concerning their dissatisfaction in regards to certain members who were in control of the activities within the church group so their only alternative lay in the fact of seeking another location.
We advised the Brothers, above all things to keep in mind the Lord and to handle everything in love and if the members of the congregation cannot see eye-to-eye, then they were to follow the command of the leader with people in the church to unite. For instance, the Brothers reasoned that their best belief was not to be able to continue any longer with this group that we then conceded to their wishes to organize a Congregational Church and we were to lend a helping hand.
All efforts of the above‑mentioned congregation to work out their problems for a change failed. So it happened that a certain number of members broke away from the church to join the unhappy men so that at least 29 people organized the Second German Congregational Church of Portland, OR on June 22, 1913. After reaching this decision, the following officers were voted into the controlling positions such as: Sunday School Supt., Georg Hohnstein; Deacons: Mel Krieger and Henry Lenhardt; Trustees: Geo. Knippel, Conrad Wacker and L. Deines. Secretary: Adam Bihn and Treasurer: Nicolaus Koehler. Pastor Hagelganz was called to be the spiritual adviser (clergyman) of the Congregation. Then on July 9, 1913, the council of the newly organized was sworn in and the church was accepted as a united Congregational church.
The assignment which the minister undertook of this church was to be given the privilege via an understanding that he could live out in Beaverton was no easy decision. From all sides there was opposition to reckon with especially from those who were to assist from the very beginning of the organization of the congregation but none reneged about continuing with the project. At all times, thanks to the strength of the brothers working too‑ether, the Lord soon allowed us His Honor to celebrate the victory. Also, to the Beaverton Congregation (which the minister served at the same time he served the 2nd Church in Portland) belongs all recognition and honor for their strong assistance in building our church; in the fact, that they felt they belonged to the new edifice and allowed their minister to travel to Portland every second Sunday to administer and continue to build the work of the Lord.
Especially did Miss Elisabeth Boeckel (now Mrs. Yost) make herself available by giving her time and energy to arrange for an organist. Miss Boeckel did resign her membership, an obligation as a member from the Christian Endeavor of the Ebenezer Church and took the not so very‑prized position to become organist of our church. The leaders of this church praised the services of Mrs. Yost very highly.
The group purchased a lot on N.E. 8th and Skidmore St. and still built in the summer of 1913 at the cost of $4000.00, a building (God's House) in the neighborhood of 32’ x 42’. For the collection to finance this building, the members supported the project very well and so the work of the Lord continued to be blessed. Since the number of members increased all the time, God's house in time, became too small and we became aware of the fact that we needed to increase the facilities which occurred in the year 1921. The main sanctuary was enlarged 30 more feet and the entire building received a basement as it all stands today. The total cost of this remodeling project reached the mark of $7500.00 of which the contractor came up with a grant of $1000.00 and a $1700.00 loan.
Ladies Aid Society of the Second German Congregational Church. Mrs. Hagelganz is in the center of the front row looking down.
The Ladies Aid which already in the fall of 1913 was organized with only 12 women grew into a large group and gained members during this entire time; its best main factor via the building of the congregation. The Sunday School that was organized with 30 members counts over 250 members today. The Christian‑Endeavor at the time of our organizing totaled 25 members and now counts over 100 members today. Not less than 150 souls are known of the 14 age group to walk in the Forgiveness of the Blood of the Lamb.
In the Year 1927, the congregation purchased the parsonage and paid $4100.00 for it. The entire property of the congregation then consisted of 100’ x 100’.
Interior of the Second German Church. Photo courtesy of Frederick Schreiber
In 1927, Pastor Hagelganz left the church and Pastor H. G. Zorn was called to replace him to serve the church only from 1927‑1929. During this time the congregation lost 60 members. Pastor Zorn left the church in the spring of 1929 to be replaced by the Rev. Hagelganz who returned to his flock again. He accepted the position on June 1, 1929. From June 1929 to June 1930, the church won 66 new members. In‑between, God's House needed to be enlarged again so it was decided to accomplish that in July 1932; so it was begun on August 1, 1932. Under the leadership of Mr. Henry Miller as architect and L. A. Wick with O. M. Martinson as the builder, the church was enlarged sideways adding 16' to the south of the building giving space of 58’ by 72’ beside the choir loft. This new addition cost $8000.00 besides the pipe organ. The building committee consisted of the following persons: Pastor Hagelganz, H. Wolf, P. Emmert, John Miller, Phil. Sittner, D. Metzler, John Schleuning, J.A. Krieger, Henry Schneider, John Mueller and George Mill. An 8‑set pipe organ with chimes was acquired by the Junior Ladies Aid and the Christian Endeavor Group from the Guenther Organ Co. for the low price of $2,000.00. In normal times the cost of this organ would have been twice this much.
Webmaster note: The First German Congregational Ebenezer Church (Ersten Deutschen Kongregationalen Ebenezer Kirche) was the first and mother church in Portland, organized on April 24, 1892. When Second German Congregational Church was founded in 1913, it was indeed the second German Congregational Church in Portland having joined the Congregational Conference at the time of it's beginning in 1913.