How is it that there were German Lutherans in Russia? Only 200 years after
Luther, the German state didn't like how orthodox Lutherans would not share their
pulpits with the protestants of the Reformed Church. Pastors were told that they
could not preach against the teachings of the Reformed. In the 1700s whole
communities left Germany and migrated to Russia in order to avoid the Reformed
being imposed on them by the government.

It was fortunate that many German Lutheran Russians came to America when
they did, because in the 1920s and 30s the Communists started enacting the
anti-religious campaign of the Soviet Union. They shut down Lutheran and
Catholic churches, and arrested pastors and priests alike.

"The Lutheran Ladies met at the home of Erma Tauer to reorganize the Lutheran
Ladies Aid, and hold a Christmas Party. Due to the absence of so many members
no business was discussed." - Dec. 20, 1954.

In January they gathered a few more people and made this decision:
"The Ladies decided to have a free will offering at each meeting in preference
to regular dues. They also decided to have a birthday fund." - January 19, 1955.

Some of the first meetings were more social than business: "This was a social
meeting only due to the absence of our president" (Feb. 16, 1955); "There
being no order of business a motion was made and seconded to adjourn the
business meeting" (Apr. 20, 1955).