St. Salvator Lutheran Church, Venedy IL

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Pastors of St. Salvator Lutheran Church

The congregation has been served by the following Pastors

The history of the early Pastors are based mostly on research materials provided by Rev. E. J. Saleska

Ottomar Fuerbringer 1840 -1850 The Founder

Pastor Ottomar Fuerbringer was called and ordained by Pastor O.H. Walther, to be the first pastor of Old Trinity Church in St. Louis. In 1840, Pastor Ottomar Fuerbringer was called and installed in a primitive log building in Johannisburg about a mile southwest of Venedy on August 23, 1840.
In October 1842, he journeyed to St. Louis where he was joined in holy wedlock to Agnes Buenger, the young widow of his friend O. H. Walther. They brought back to the parsonage with them her two-year-old son, Johannis Walter, who later became the third pastor of the congregation at Venedy founded by his stepfather.
In November 1842, the pastor and six families moved to "Brockschmidt's Hill", now Venedy over a split over changing to the purely Lutheran hymnal. Under the leadership of Pastor Ottomar Fuerbringer helped plan the founding of the Missouri Synod with C. F. W. Walther, valiant leader of the Saxons. In 1847, he journeyed with other to Chicago to attend the first meeting of Synod. He was a advisory pastor only. The next year he was enrolled as a voting member, the congregation having meanwhile joined the Synod.
Paul Israel Baumgart 1851-1869 The Builder

The second pastor had a most unusual background. He was suggested to the congregation by Pastor C.F.W. Walther, then president of the synod. Pastor Baumgart was installed in January 1851, only two months after the first pastor had left. Most unusual is the fact that Pastor Baumgart was of Jewish extraction. He had lost his mother at the age of three. The father provided him with a good liberal arts education. He was an outstanding student. His conversion to Christianity is most interesting. His father, operating a store, sent Paul to the store to purchase some large books to be used as door stops in his establishment. Among these books was a large Bible. Not wishing to lay such a sacred book on the floor where it would be used as a doorstop, the book was laid on a shelf and promptly forgotten. At the age of twenty, Paul returned from college. On one occasion he (Paul) came to the store and opened the book simply out of curiosity, reading the Gospel of St. Matthew. He was especially conscious of the fact that the Gospel repeatedly stated: "This was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet ..." He compared Scripture with Scripture - Old and New Testament - until he came up with the conviction the Messiah was prophesied; that He was the suffering Savior - Jesus Christ; that He had come; and that He was Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. He continued to make a study of the Bible until he was completely convinced; "Now I believe, not because of thy saying: for I have heard Him myself, and know that this is the Christ, the Savior of the world."

This unusual conversion made it necessary to sever his connections with his family, friends, and other relatives, as they scorned and persecuted him for his convictions. It is significant to note that he was baptized by Pfarrer Loehe of Neuendettelsau, Germany, a man who was instrumental in the mid-nineteenth century in bringing many candidates for the ministry in the Lutheran church to America. He was in constant touch with Lutherans of the Missouri Synod and of Dr. Walther. Paul Baumgart had come to the United States in the company of Dr. Sihler and served in Columbus, Ohio and then to Baltimore, Maryland where he became a teacher under the noted Pastor Wyneken. Here he studied theology under Pastor Wyneken, and later accepted a call to Logan, Ohio. After serving here briefly, he accepted the call to St. Salvator, Venedy. Here he served the congregation for a period of eighteen years.

Paul Israel Baumgart saw many important changes taking place during his 18 years of service in the congregation as pastor. He worked untiringly, teaching the school, and serving also the group at Grand Prairie about six or eight miles to the east. In April 1852, an extensive building program was begun. A school building sixteen by sixteen feet was erected and completed at a total cost of $61.00. In addition, there were some families in the Grand Prairie area who had not severed their connections with the Venedy congregation, and in 1852 of October they decided to build a church and school. A piece of land was donated by Mr. L. Brockschmidt, and in March 1853, elders were elected, a constitution was adopted, and the name of Ebenezer was given the new congregation. Twenty years later, St. Peter's at Hahlen, 4 miles west of Nashville was founded as another branch congregation. In 1908 Immanuel of Okawville was founded as another daughter congregation.

Pastor Baumgart, who had served the congregation faithfully for 18 years, received a call to Missouri. He was granted his peaceful release. Some years later he retired and lived at Venedy. Later, he accepted a call to serve Darmstadt congregation where he now lies buried.

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Johannis Gottlob Walther 1869-1871 A native son becomes a pastor

Johannis, son of the widow of O.H. Walther, whose second marriage to Pastor Fuerbringer, first pastor of the church, was called as pastor. He was a brilliant student and a graduate of the Seminary in St. Louis in the class of 1863. He had served in New York and Michigan. The climate in New York was not agreeable, and he was advised by the physician to seek a warmer climate. He was then called to Zion Lutheran Congregation in New Orleans, but before he reached New Orleans, he was detained in St. Louis because of a lack of funds in the Mission treasury. Dr. Walther encouraged him to accept a call extended him during this time to become pastor of St. Salvator. He was very familiar with surroundings since he had spent his childhood days in this area. The fact that Pastor Walther was burdened with poor health is indicated. A Ladies Aid organization was formed at this time. Constitutional changes were made. Students from the Seminary assisted quite frequently, which indicates Rev. Walther's illness. On March 19, 1871, the formal resignation of Pastor Walther was read. Later he became `recktor' of the Orphan's Home in St. Louis. Venedy congregation assisted as an appeal for funds was made through the former pastor.
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Wilhelm Achenback 1871-1883 A Good Preacher Called

Professor William Achenbach was called from a professorship at Concordia College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, one of the Missouri Synod's oldest preparatory schools. He accepted and was installed on the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1871. Officiant at the installation was the Rev. Streckfuss of Grand Prairie assisted by Pastors Pennekamp and Wolbrecht. A fine speaker and a modest Christian gentleman and a man who was greatly interested in serving people in need. Charity was a watchword with him. Among other things, a number of needy widows were supplied with their needs; yellow fever victims in the South were assisted; orphanages were supplied with food and clothing. Many stories were related about him as he helped every beggar who came to him. During Pastor Achenbach's time the cemetery was enlarged. During this time also, on July 12, 1879, a severe thunder storm hit the area. The steeple of the church was damaged. Several hail storms also were experienced in these years on two occasions. The congregation and pastor concerned themselves during these days when a controversy threatening to disrupt the Synodical Conference on the doctrine of 'election'. The pastor preached a number of forceful sermons on the subject.

There are many evidences that St. Salvator was concerned with beneficiaries and needs of our institutions of learning. The congregation regularly remembered our seminaries and colleges. On one occasion, a ton and a half of wheat was donated to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. In many ways the congregation has been a good example of faithful and generous giving.

Pastor Achenbach, who had served the congregation for 12 years, was extended a call to Carondelet, Missouri. He felt convinced that he should accept the call and was given his release on July 30, 1883. A long vacancy followed. A number of calls were extended until the Rev. E. Mangelsdorf accepted the call. He was installed on Epiphany at the beginning of the New Year 1884.
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E. Mangelsdorf 1884-1897 A Teacher of Rare Ability

Pastor Mangelsdorf, during his 13 years of service was deeply appreciated by the congregation, especially for his teaching abilities. The life insurance issue was being discussed during these years; questions regarding membership in the lodge; and especially a long series of discussions on the question: "May a Christian use the courts against a fellow Christian?" were discussed at length. The skill of teaching could be seen in many other ways in the services of Pastor Mangelsdorf. There were several changes in the school teachers also during this time. Mr. Waschilewsky transferred to Detroit, Michigan, and Mr. M. Singer was called in the middle of 1885. The teachers in the school, beginning with Mr. Singer, directed a choir which was organized in 1886. When Mr. Singer accepted a call to Norfolk, Nebraska, the daughter of Pastor Mangelsdorf finished teaching out the school year. In 1893, Candidate Martin Mangelsdorf, son of the pastor became the assistant and teacher in the school. The installation was on the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity in 1893.

The peace of the congregation had been disturbed during the last two years of the ministry of Pastor Mangelsdorf. He accepted a call to Wellsville, Missouri in 1897. The pastor had endeared himself to many of the members and the release was reluctantly given him after having served the congregation for thirteen years. The congregation invited him back for a Mission Sunday observance as guest speaker in 1907 and later when he passed on, a floral wreath was placed on his grave by the congregation.
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F. Doederlein 1897-1901

After serving a large congregation at Homewood, Illinois for about twenty years, Pastor F. Doederlein was installed as pastor on Cantate Sunday in 1897. The officiant was Pastor Lessmann. He was, like a predecessor, Pastor Baumgart, a man who had been under the influence of Pfarrer Loehe of Neuendettelsau. At the age of twenty-one, after being trained in the Loehe school decided to come to America to serve as a missionary, specifically among the American Indians in the Northwest. He suffered many deprivations and hardships. A pastor advised him to join the Missouri Synod and become a parish pastor. This he did when he accepted a call to Jackson, Missouri. His wife was the daughter of the first teacher of English at the log cabin college in Perry County. He was a congenial man who walked from one family to another visiting in the congregation regularly. The teacher, Mr. Heinecke, was compelled to resign because of ill health and the pastor's daughter concluded the teaching for the year. Later Mr. Jac Mueller, a student at Concordia Seminary at Springfield, Illinois taught during 1901 and 1902. Later while serving .as pastor at Darmstadt and Okawville he served the congregation as vacancy pastor. Pastor Doederlein suffered a slight stroke of paralysis in 1901. He later received a call to assist in a congregation in Chicago and preached his farewell sermon on October 27, 1901.
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William C. Steinman 1901-1922

Pastor William C. Steinmann served the congregation nearly twenty-two years after being installed b y Pastor Lessmann on the 24th Sunday after Trinity, 1901. The next year Mr. C.E. Krueger became the teacher being installed in the summer of 1902. In 1903 the entire church property was renovated and repaired. In December 1905, Mr. Krueger, the teacher accepted a call to Troy, Illinois. The minutes indicate the Christian concern of the San Francisco earthquake suffers and for May 17, 1906. Minutes indicate the recognition of Mr. F. Schneider who had served the congregation as an elder for 25 years. A new parsonage was constructed in 1907 and dedicated on Second Christmas Day. In 1911, the teacher, Mr. Kueffer accepted a call and soon afterward, Mr. T. Struckmeyer was installed as teacher serving the congregation 1912-14. Anniversary observances observed were the Walther Anniversary in 1911; the founding of the Synod in 1922; the Golden Anniversary in 1915 on May 18; and the Diamond Jubilee on the first Sunday in September 1917. Professor Fuerbringer and Pastor Koestering preached in the services.

Mr. Struckmeyer accepted another call and Mr. Gehner of Urbana, Illinois accepted the call and was installed in September 1914. A new teacherage was built in 1915.

Various meaningful observances are recorded : The congregation declared a day of Humiliation and Prayer during the Civil War in 1864, another during World War I on May 30, 1918. When Mr. Gehner saw fit to accept a call to Prairietown, Illinois in July 1919, Mr. Gus Segelhorst was assigned to fill in for one year. He was a student at River Forest College.

An exhaustive study of `Christian giving was made in the congregation in 1919. An envelope system was introduced. Many regretted it when the system was withdrawn from use in 1922.

The twenty-two years of service under Pastor Steinmann did not always flow smoothly. The records indicate that there were a number of problems which disturbed the peace of the congregation. It was fortunate that Pastor Steinmann was a tactful man handling all the problems and bringing them to a successful conclusion. In his late years, deafness hindered his work and finally caused his resignation. When he resigned on July 9, 1922, Pastor Jac Mueller of Okawville became the vacancy pastor. Pastor Steinmann was persuaded to reconsider his resignation but soon found that he could not continue to serve as pastor. Pastor Mueller again served the congregation. In the same year, 1923, the teacher, Mr. Lorenz accepted a call to St. Luke's congregation in St. Louis.
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Theodore Dautenhahn 1923-1930

Pastor Theodore Dautenhahn, a teacher who later in life decided to become a pastor, passed the examination and became the next pastor being installed by Pastor Mueller of Okawville on the Tenth Sunday after Trinity 1923. At this time the transition into the English language brought about the introduction of service in that language twice a month. Mr. William Segelhorst became the organist for the congregation.

Again we note that the congregation was moved in Christian love to give financial aid to those suffering from a tornado in Murphysboro in March 1925. Efforts were to assists the Lutherans Layman’s League in the $300,000 Pension Fund effort. In 1926 the church property was again renovated. The congregation participated in the observance of the 400th anniversary of the Catechism in 1929. Pastor Dautenhahn served the congregation faithfully until he saw fit to accept a call to Stewardson, Illinois. Pastor Dautenhahn has accepted the invitation to honor the congregation as guest speaker for the occasion of the 125th anniversary observance of the congregation in October 22, 1967.
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E. J. Saleska 1930-1943 Resarch Historian

On April 20, 1930, a call was extended to the Rev. E.J. Saleska who had been stationed in northwest Canada. The vacancy pastor installed him on the Second Sunday after Trinity. A number of progressive steps were taken when the large hymnals were introduced and the order of Holy Communion was followed as well as the common order for a regular Sunday worship. Resolutions in 1931 indicate that the 90th anniversary of the congregation would be observed in the following year. No more capable person could have been selected to do research and write the history of the congregation putting it into booklet form. The congregation recognized with gratitude the tremendous job involved in writing the history of the congregation from which also most of the material for the early history has been obtained. The pastor also undertook to write the history of the Venedy Community when it observed the Centennial. The town and community expressed its gratitude, when "A Short History and Souvenir" was published. The observance was held on July 3rd and 4th in 1937.

In 1943, Pastor Saleska tendered his resignation when he .accepted a position at Concordia Publishing House and became at the same time librarian at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He agreed to serve the congregation after having served faithfully for 13 years, until another pastor could be called. The vacancy did not last long when the Rev. Armand Graf of New Haven, Missouri accepted the call in October 1943.
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Armand Graf 1943-1945

Pastor Graf later served as missionary to Travencore, India, and upon his return to the states, succumbed in an automobile accident in Colorado.
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Karl Schroeder 1945-1947

Rev. Karl Schroeder was installed after accepting the call. Pastor Schroeder had the desire to serve in a benevolent organization and when the opportunity came, he asked to be released as he accepted an opportunity to serve Bethlehem Orphanage in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1947.

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Albert Schroeder 1947-1948

Rev. Albert Schroeder of Marshall, Missouri accepted the call in September and saw fit to tender his resignation in October of 1948, in order to accept a call to Omaha, Nebraska.
Leonard Dippold 1950-1959

After eleven calls had been issued on December 5th, 1949, the Rev. L.F. Dippold of New Wells, Missouri was called. He accepted, and was duly installed by the Rev. Fred Duensing, then serving as vacancy pastor. The Rev. Dippold was held in high regard by the brethren in the ministry as the 'dean' of the group of pastors in the Nashville-Centralia Circuit. He worked faithfully and served well during the '50s. During his time at Venedy, the Grand Prairie congregation dissolved. Some of the members from this congregation chose to return to the mother congregation after these many years. Pastor Dippold, after seven and one-half years of labors as under-shepherd of the flock at St. Salvator retired. He moved and lived in Cape Girardeau until the Lord called him into the Church Triumphant.
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William Bahr 1959-1961

The Rev. William F. Bahr of Ruma, Illinois was called after the retirement of Pastor Dippold and accepted. He was installed on June 16, 1957. He served the congregation until his retirement in April of 1960. He is still an occasional guest speaker and serves vacant congregations in the district, living at Baldwin, Illinois.
Joseph Schlichting 1961-1964

[Biography -Joseph Schlichting was born at St. Louis, MO on March 6, 1904. Elementary and secondary educations was received in the public schools of St. Louis. He received his theological training from Concordia Seminary, Springfield, IL, graduating in 1930.
Pastor Schlichting vicared at St. Joseph, MO and Yorkville, IL. Previous charges included worked in colored missions at Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and congregations at Praire Home, MO, Arenzville, IL and Blackburn, MO.
He is married to Leona Huelskoetter of Shumay,IL. They have seven children. ]

The congregation asked the Rev. E. Blumenkamp, presently the District Executive Secretary who at the time was pastor at Immanuel, Okawville to serve during the vacancy. The Rev. A. Mueller of New Memphis had been serving St. Peter's of New Memphis for many years. The Lord saw fit to call him home at about this time. Arrangements were made during the vacancies of the two congregations to have a meeting in order to discuss the feasibility of combining the two congregations into a dual parish. This was a happy solution for both congregations and since the inception of this arrangement, the two congregations have been working together in peace and harmony.

The Rev. Joseph Schlichting of Blackburn, Missouri concluded tenure of office at Blackburn, and was installed at St. Salvator-St. Peter's on January 8, 1961. Pastor Schlichting served the congregations under this arrangement until he reached the decision that he would, for reasons of health, have to re- sign as of June 1, 1964. The Rev. Walter Symank, Counselor of the Nashville Circuit, was asked to serve during the vacancy. Calls were extended beginning in January while Pastor Schlichting was still serving, and just before the retirement date of June 1, the Rev. William Stellwagen of Beecher, Illinois accepted the call.
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William Stellwagen 1964-1967

When the Rev. William Stellwagen was installed on June 10, 1964, the vacancy pastor officiated. The new pastor anxiously awaited the opportunity of putting into effect some of the things his experience in the ministry had given him. A stewardship program gave the congregation a new experience which stimulated the congregation toward greater efforts. Office equipment and other tools were introduced. Both congregations under the dual parish arrangement happily worked together. A number of adults were confirmed. The church building was renovated during 1966. The LWML in 1966, won the gavel at the district convention.

Pastor Stellwagen had received several calls which he had declined. When, at the beginning of 1967, the dual parish of Trinity, Darmstadt, and St. Paul's, New Athens extended a call to him, he felt constrained to accept. He bade farewell to the congregation on Easter in 1967.
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Eldon Winker 1969-1973

Eldon Keith Winker graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO on May 30, 1969, with a degree of Bachelor of Divinity. His vicarage was in Denver, Colorado. He was ordained at Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL on June 22, 1969 and installed at St. Salvator on the seventh Sunday after Trinity 1969.
Eldon was born on July 28. 1941 and raised in Belleville, IL. He married Judith Beyer on August 19, 1967. They are parents of three children, Carrie, Kristin and Joyce.
He is currently retired.
Dale Meyer 1974-1981

Dale A Meyer was born on January 10, 1947 in Chicago Heights, Illinois, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Meyer. He received his elementary education at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Chicago Heights. He graduated from there in the same year he was confirmed, 1961. After graduating from Bloom Township High School in 1965, Dale enrolled at Concordia Junior College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In 1969 Dale received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concondia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He than enrolled at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He served a year of theological internship at Calvary Lutheran Church in Lincoln Park, Michigan. Dale graduated from Concordia Seminary in 1973 with the Degree of Master of Divinity. In June 1973 Dale was united in marriage with Diane Ermier, a teacher at Bloom High School. Dale attended Washington University in pursuit of a Ph. D. degree in the classics.
On March 24, 1974 Dale received Holy Ordination at his home parish in Chicago Heights. He was installed in the dual parish of St. Salvator and St. Peter Lutheran Church on Palm Sunday 1974.
Dale is currently the President of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

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Richard Smith 1981-1984

Richard Kevin Smith "Kip" was born on July 5, 1955, in Wyandotta, Michigan. He grew up in Southgate, Michigan where he graduated from high school in 1973. He entered Concordia College, Ann Arbor, Michigan where he received an Associate of Arts degree in 1975. He continued his education at Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from that institution in 1977. He then went on to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, he received his Master of Divinity degree at the Seminary on May 29, 1981. Kip served an one year vicarage at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Crossville, Tennessee.
He was married to Lora Ann Bokhart, a registered nurse from Mishawaka, Indiana on August, 1978.
David G. L. Fletcher 1985-2009 Pastor Emeritus

David Fletcher was born on December 26, 1938 in New York City, New York. He completed his education in the New York Public School System in 1957. In 1960, he entered the Air Force and served his country in San Antonio, Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, and Fairbanks, Alaska. He received an honorable discharge in 1964. In 1967, he started his own retail business and continued his education at nights. He received an Associate Art Degree from Manhattan Community College in 1970 and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree from Hunter College in 1973. In 1975, he closed his retail business to study full-time for the Holy Ministry. He received his Master of Divinity Degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1979. He enter Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in November 1981 and completed his Colloquy Certification on November 30, 1984. Vicarage was in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Joliet, IL (SELC District) and Hope Lutheran Church in Shorewood, IL. David Fletcher received Holy Ordination and was installed at St. Salvator Lutheran Church on Epiphany 1985.
David Fletcher married Eleanor Lau Kee of Flushing, New York on June 11, 1966. They were blessed with one daughter, Charity-Faith, on May 1, 1970. Retired on March 1, 2009 after serving 24 1/2 years as pastor of St. Salvator and St. Peter Lutheran Church

Art Eichhorn 2009 - Current Pastor

Rev. Dr. Art Eichhorn was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 13, 1953. He began his collegiate studies at Concordia University Chicago from which he received his Bachelor of Arts and his Master of Arts degrees. He later completed another Master of Arts degree from Webster University, and his Doctor of Education degree was awarded by California Coast University.
Pastor Eichhorn began his professional church work career as a Commissioned Minister. His first call through the Board of Assignments was to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Springfield, Illinois, in 1976, where he served as teacher and director of music. In 1981 he accepted a call to become the assistant principal and director of music at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1991, he became the assistant principal at Word of Life Lutheran School and the director of music at Timothy Lutheran Church, both in St. Louis. During this time period he also served as an extension site coordinator and mentor for Concordia University Wisconsin.
In 2003 he entered the Clinical Pastoral Education program at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, Missouri. After completing two years of residency there, he entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He completed his class work at the seminary in May of 2007, and then he served a vicarage at Calvary Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kansas, during their period of pastoral vacancy. Following his graduation from the seminary in the spring of 2008, he began to work as a chaplain at the Barnes Jewish St. Peters Hospital and as the interim director of music at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois.
The Board of Assignments assigned him again, this time as an Ordained Minister, to St Salvator and St Peter Lutheran Churches in April of 2009. He was ordained and installed at St Salvator on May 17, 2009. He began his ministry after a two month vacancy following the retirement of his predecessor, Pastor Fletcher.

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Updated
August 7, 2009