Evangelical Lutheran Church – Lost Creek Township
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lost Creek Township was originally known as the Zion Lutheran Church and the German Lutheran Church. It was built on land that Carsten Petersen provided near his home.
- WHAT: Evangelical Lutheran Church – Lost Creek Township
- WHO: “W.G.” – The photographer’s initials are believed to be those of William Albert Griepentrog
- WHEN: Circa 1915 – Obviously from the snow on the roof in the picture it was taken some time in the winter. The photographer “W.G.” whom I assume was William Albert Griepentrog died in 1917. And, other dated photographs by “W.G.” range from 1911 through 1916. For now, I will assume this picture was taken Circa 1915.
- WHERE: Lost Creek Township, Nebraska – The Evangelical Lutheran Church – Lost Creek was located in Lost Creek Township Section 8, four miles west and one mile north of Platte Center, Nebraska.
- SOURCE: Mildred Kletke
- NOTES: According to Carolyn Petersen[5], about 1945, the church building was moved to Grace Lutheran Church, Platte Center, Nebraska and was used as for Sunday school. When the building was no longer of use at Grace Lutheran Church, it was moved back to the Lost Creek Township Section 8 site in 1956 and was converted into a house. The parsonage also remains at the site.
Story
A newspaper clipping notes Sunday School activities in 1885:
The picnic of the German Sunday school of Metz, held in Mr. M. Bloedorn’s grove, was well attended and enjoyed by all. No better place could be found than the old gentleman’s grove, and no happier crowd be seen than the one assembled there. Good singing, and music on the organ by Mrs. Wm. Bloedorn, contributed much to the pleasure of this first picnic and made all wish that it would be only the first one of many to follow.
The Columbus Journal, July 15, 1885, page 3
As noted in the following clipping, the picnic did take place again in Mr. M. Bloedorn’s grove:
Children’s day and picnic was held by the German Sunday S•o hol at Metz on Sunday, July 1st, in Mr. M. Bloedorn’s grove with strictly religious exercises, as becoming the Lord’s day. Rev. C. H. Ranz of Fremont preached two excellent sermons, addresses were also delivered by Mr. Wm. Bloedorn, the superintendent of the school, and by Rev. A. Henrich. Mrs. Win. Bloedorn played the organ and some exqisite singing of appropriate hymns and recitations and dialogues spoken by Miss M. Hensen, Miss De Fries, Mrs. C. Petersen and many of the children rendered the occasion pleasant for all. A collection of nearly $9 for the theological seminary in Hamburg. Germany, was taken up. Mr. Bloedorn received a unanimous and cheerful vote of thanks for the use of his beautiful grove.
The Columbus Journal, July 11, 1888, page 2
The Columbus Journal., July 11, 1888,
The following 1899 Ownership Map shows the location of the original German Lutheran Church mission as being next to the Mr Bloedorn’s property and the No. 17 County School of which Mr.