The annual St. Peter’s Homecoming Celebration marks a tradition which began over one hundred years ago when St. Peter closed its doors to weekly worship. It was decided to hold a “Homecoming Service” each year. Most of the congregation that remained moved their memberships to nearby Lutheran churches such as Trinity, at Versailles, Friedens, at Bloomer, St. Paul’s, at Willowdell, or St. John, near Greenville.
Many ask why is St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church unique? It has celebrated more “Homecoming Services” than years of regular worship, closing in 1905; this marks the 112th Homecoming service!
The little country church, founded by immigrants from Kammerforst, Prussia, (Germany) who settled in what was known then as the “Dutch Roost”. It offered regular worship services in German. A log structure was built in 1850 and remained open till 1905. It was then the Congregation voted to close the doors. All has been left in place and looks today much as it did when they worshiped here.
On Sunday September 17th the historic church will host the annual worship and hymn sing, reminiscent of the old German Lutheran style of the late 19th and early 20th century. The service will begin at 2:00 p.m. The Rev. Brian S. McGee of St. John Lutheran Church of Greenville will lead the abbreviated worship service. Karen Lawrence will play the original pump organ and many hymns of a by gone era will be sung.
This year St. Peter’s continues to participate in the Ohio Historical Society’s “Open Door Initiative”; a celebration of Ohio’s hidden gems that are rarely viewed or open to the public.
Please remember your contributions are the only financial support this historic church receives and are vital to keeping her doors open, once a year and maintaining the property for years to come. St Peter’s is a 501c.3 and would welcome your support. A contribution may be made by check to St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church c/o J. R. Kelch at 105 Greenhaven Drive Greenville, Ohio 45331.
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