Second German Baptist Church at NE Rodney and Morris, 1898-1937

Immanuel Baptist Church at NE 83rd and Prescott, 1937 to present

In 1891, Albina, which had a large German speaking population, became a part of the City of Portland. It was only natural, therefore, for the First German Church to begin a mission there, which they did in 1898 or 1899. A great factor in the early growth of the mission was the fact that the Mennonite Brethren disbanded their own church in Albina and joined the Albina mission. In fact, thirty-three members of the Mennonite Church were taken into church membership on experience of their faith, and the meetings of the Albina mission had attendance of from 75 to 100 persons. Unfortunately, a number of the Mennonite Brethren decided to form their own church again, which they did. The Mennonite Brethren church survived until comparatively recent times, however, it has since disbanded, and it no longer exists today. Not all of the Mennonite Brethren returned to this Mennonite Church for some continued to stay with the Albina mission.

In spite of the early reversal, the work continued and Rev. Gustav Eichler from Salt Creek was called to be the missionary for this group. About one year later, July 17, 1902, thirty-seven people, including thirteen teen-agers organized as the Second German Baptist Church under the chairmanship of Rev. J. Kratt. The church selected Rev. G. Eichler to be its first pastor.

The gatherings were first held in a store building on Russell Street and then moved to Union and Knott Streets. Later the congregation met in a small church between Stanton and Morris on Rodney Avenue. Later, the congregation purchased a lot on the corner of NE Rodney Avenue and Morris Street for $925. The small group had financial assistance from the Mission Society, and also the personal assistance from Conrad Wyss, who acted as Sunday school superintendent, and Rebecca Kleinau, who acted as organist, both members of the mother church. The first organ cost $25. Hymnbooks were ordered, one dozen with musical notes and two dozen without notes. At the end of 1903, Rev. Eichler left the church for Tacoma, Washington.

In the interim, Rev. F. Reichle, a man who had ministered at the First Baptist Church in Portland, served the congregation without remuneration.

Soon after the arrival of Rev. Bueermann in 1904, a church building and parsonage were constructed. Rev. Bueermann was born in Hanover, Germany (1865) and came to America in 1879. Rev. Bueermann was called from the First German Baptist Church of Cleveland and put great effort into financing the new church building and making the church self-supporting by around 1910.

The church showed excellent progress. In 1905, the church had 60 members and in five years grew to 130. It was doing fine work among the many German-speaking people who had settled in the Albina area. Rev. Bueermann continued his ministry until 1915. It is interesting to note that he gave instruction in German reading and writing in addition to Bible studies for children.

Rev. Paul Meier succeeded Rev. Bueermann on August 1, 1915. Rev. Meier married Miss Emma Bertuleit, and only three days after his marriage, and one and a half months as pastor, he died in the parsonage.

Rev. Hoffmann became the pastor in 1916 and served eight years. About 1920, the church made extensive changes in its building. Work was done on the entrance, platform, and basement, and a pipe organ was installed. The total cost was $12,000.

Rev. Rutsch replaced Rev. Hoffman in 1925. He was noted for giving instruction in German on Saturdays. While he was pastor the church reached its peak membership with 257 members despite the fact that over 30 members had been lost to the mother church. However, by 1927 the church began to lose families to English speaking churches.

In 1927, Rev. Rutsch left for the Salem church, and was followed by Rev. Wuttke. Rev. Wuttke conducted evening services in English. A radio ministry in the German language was conduced along with the First Church and Bethany. Rev. Wuttke left the church in 1931 and was followed by Rev. Buenning who served for one year, and in turn was followed by Rev. Wahl who joined the church in 1933.

Rev. Wahl conducted the morning services in German, but English was used in the evening. The German radio ministry continued. Around 1937 the name was changed to Immanuel Baptist Church. Rev. Wahl left the church a the end of August 1937.

In November 1937, Rev. Roth began his ministry in the Immanuel Church. The church was improved with new elm pews, four classrooms, and art glass windows, all at a cost of around $5,000. After World War II, the church sent food and clothing in good quantity to those in need. Reverend Roth left the church in 1951.

Rev. Henry Barnet began his work as pastor in November 1951. A men’s organization was formed in the church and in 1952 the church celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

In 1953, the church decided to move its location and built a new church farther east.

The church remained at this location until 1953 when the members decided to build a new church building at NE 83rd Avenue and Prescott Street where the church remains active today.

Pastors of the church:

G. Eichler	1902 - 1903
F. Reichle (Interim)	1903 - 1904
Friedrich Bueermann	1904 - 1915
Paul Meier	1915 – 1916
F. Hoffmann	1916 – 1925
G. Rutsch	1925 – 1927
J. A. H. Wuttke	1927- 1931
W. H. Buenning	1931 – 1933
E. P. Wahl	1933 – 1937
Otto Roth	1937 – 1951
Henry Barnet	1951 -