Organizing a Congregation and Planning to Build a Church
After his field survey (see previous article for more context), it showed that there was interest in a new Lutheran church in the Shorewood -Whitefish Bay district. Three meetings were needed to organize the new church. The first meeting was held to see if there was enough interest in forming a new congregation. If there was enough interest from that, then the second and third meetings would organize the new congregation
August 15, 1929
The first meeting of men interested in forming a new church was held at the home of LeRoy L. LeBudde. Six men plus Mr J.N. Janis from the mission board and Pastor Baughman attended. There must have been a lot of interest. The group set up an organization meeting on September 9 at the Henry Clay school. Roy Papenthein was asked to complete plans for a new Church building.
September 9, 1929
Sixteen men attended this meeting held at Henry Clay School. Pastor Baughman presided. Here’s a summary from the meeting minutes:
On motion made by LeRoy LaBudde and seconded by Alfred Locke the new congregation would be named BAY SHORE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The church constitution was adopted and the church council was elected. The members of the first council were Alfred Locke, Roy Papenthein, George Hage, Edward Hardke, Louis Zarling and Emil Johnson.
At this meeting, Alfred Locke gifted Bay Shore lots with the option to buy a fourth lot for $2000 at present day intersection Marlborough and Wildwood Avenues- Northeast corner. Roy Papenthein also gifted the design and blueprints for the church building. As a result the following motions were made , seconded and passed unanimously:
Accept the building plans donated by architect Papenthein
Authorize the the church council to raise funds and immediately erect a church building at Hampton & Humboldt (Marlborough) Avenues.
The church council was authorized to negotiate a loan on the lots for an amount not to exceed $4000.
The church council was also authorized to to buy the fourth lot for $2000.
The church council council was instructed to negotiate a temporary lease with Alfred Locke for the lot on the Southeast corner of Hampton & Humboldt Avenues. Until the new church was built the congregation would hold services at Henry Clay School.
The plan was to have the new church completed by October, 15, 1929.
September 11,1929
The church council was organized at this meeting.
Incorporation paperwork was signed by the church council, witnessed and notarized for the creation of Bay Shore Lutheran Church.
The first church council and their occupations:
Alfred Locke- real estate developer Louis Zarling- tool inspector- A. O. Smith
Roy Papenthein- architect George Hage- Whitefish Bay police chief
Emil Johnson- Stock Broker. Edward Hardtke chief engineer
Seaman automobile Body plant
( AMC Body plant- Capitol Drive)
Five of the six members were under 40 with Emil Johnson the youngest at 31.
The oldest council member was Edward Hardtke at 62.
Next- Building a church during the Great Depression
