As the summer begins to fade and our thoughts turn toward autumn, we also begin to look forward to the annual St. Peter’s Homecoming Celebration. This service marks a tradition which began over one hundred years ago.
When St. Peter closed its doors to weekly worship it was decided then to hold a “Homecoming Service” each year. Most of the congregation that remained, moved their membership to Friedens Lutheran at Bloomer, St. Paul’s at Willowdell, Trinity, at Versailles, or St. John, near Greenville.
Why is St. Peter Evangelical Church unique? It has celebrated more “Homecoming Services” than years of regular worship, this being the 110th service!
The church, founded by immigrants from Kammerforst, Langensalza, Providence Larheim, Kingdom of Prussia, (Germany) whom settled in what was known then as “Dutch Roost” offered regular German Lutheran worship services in this log structure from 1850 till 1905. When they closed the doors in 1905, all was left in place. It looks today much as it did when they worshiped here.
On Sunday September 20th the historic church will host a pre-service concert given by the Jason Lance Family Singers in the sanctuary at 1:30 p.m. The annual worship and hymn sing will begin at 2:00 p.m. The Rev. Robert Akins, of Trinity Lutheran Church Versailles and Friedens Lutheran Church, Bloomer will lead the worship service reminiscent of the late 1800’s. Karen Lawrence will play the original pump organ and many hymns of a by gone era will be song.
Prior to the service at 12:30 p.m. there will be a pulled pork dinner. Complete with a pulled pork sandwich, au gratin potatoes, baked beans, and delicious apple crisp all for a $10.00 donation. Dinners will be prepared by Trinity and must be reserved prior to September 8th. Reservations may be made to J. R. Kelch at 105 Greenhaven Drive Greenville, Ohio 45331. Why not make a day of it and make plans now and join us on September 20th, as we invite your Congregation join us and “come home to St Peters”.
St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church is located one mile south of Versailles just east off of State Route 185 south of Versailles, on the St. Peter’s Road.
Come and enjoy an autumn afternoon in the country where our ancestors walked and prayed.
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