When Ludwig got off the train, he had only $3.00 to his name and a few sheets and blankets that they brought with them. He had his five children and they could only speak German. Once they were settled in their first home, their neighbour Mr. Webb, arrived on the scene. He gave Ludwig a job cutting cord wood for 75 cents a day. Mr. Webb gave them a cow, and they paid it off by cutting wood. Mr. Webb took Ludwig to buy a stove, some pipes, some beds, etc. since they had none of these things. Mr. Webb paid for all the things they bought, and the family paid him back whenever they could. Mr. Webb also gave one of the older sons a job of looking after the cattle. He received $12 for that summer. Mr. Webb showed Mathilda what "snickeroots" were and she picked those and sold them for 40 cents a pound.
The following quote comes from ...And They Built an Altar, published in 1983 by the Brokenhead Lutheran Historical Society.
In June 1900 Der Nordwesten noted: "We have received a report of some notable progress in the development of the Friedensfeld district. The settler of that area, at their own expense, have erected a handsome and spacious school which will also be used for church services. The farmers hope soon to be in the position to employ a school teacher and to start classes..."On 29 November Der Nordwesten carried a full report of Pastor Beer's dedication of this building.
Excerpt from ...And They Built an Altar: The history and heritage of the Brokenhead Lutheran Community, published in 1983 by the Brokenhead Lutheran Historical Society."DEDICATION OF THE NEW PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH AT FRIEDENSFELD" It was a delight for me to be able to dedicate another church in this parish on 15 November of this year. Friedensfeld is situated some 40 miles directly southeast of Winnipeg and may be reached by railroad in some two hours. In spite of the fact that the land in this area has more stones and is more sandy than many people would wish, there are still some 30 to 40 families here of German descent and of Lutheran Confession. Their closest neighbours are German Mennonites and French Catholics as well as a few Englishmen. Most of our fellow countrymen are farmers, although a few are labourers. A few years ago a "Wanderfieber" attacked the settlement and it was in danger of disappearing. The building of a church or a school then seemed to be a very remote possibility.
Now everything is entirely different, and those settlers who remained are happy that they did so. They have persisted and find themselves in good circumstances; better and even easier than they, and others, expected. When I was there in the middle of June the building which was to serve as both a church and a school was already up. Although it was only roughed in, we still had our service there. This time it was completely finished inside and out, and furnished with a simple but serviceable altar and pulpit and, of course, the very necessary stove.; The women and young ladies of the congregation had cleaned and polished everything in order that it might be suitably prepared for its dedication to its Hold purpose...
...The singing conducted by Mr. Steinke at the morning service was a special delight to me. He came from Volhynia with his family a short time ago, and every Sunday conducts reading services which are well attended by the congregation. What a change–this time for good–can things take so easily!! It is a wonder to my eyes and a quiet warm joy in my heart.
May the Peace congregation in Friedensfeld always know and experience the peace of God and may this peace remain with you always! May the "Friedenskirche" in your midst ever be an instrument of God's grace among you! May the church services and the instruction there be a rich blessing poured out among all who turn to this fellowship and hold fast unto it!
Pastor F. Beer, Winnipeg
26 November 1900Church as always been a large part of the Fiebelkorn way of life. In Friedensfeld, Manitoba, it was no different. The congregation in Friedensfeld grew so rapidly that by 1903 a larger church was built to accomodate the growing population. The name of the congregation was changed from Peace to St. Pauls. Mr. Hollander submitted the following article to Der Nordwesten:
"Niverville, 16 November1902. On Sunday, the 8th of this month the dedication of the new St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Friedensfeld took place. We Nivervillers received a gracious invitation to this celebration and most of us made our way there on Saturday evening where we found that careful preparations had already been made for guests.....
As soon as one catches a glimpse of the new church, one has a very favourable impression of it. Its dimensions are, if I am not mistaken, 26 feet by 36 feet and it has a modest belfry and tasteful windows. Since it has been built on a high corner of the farm of the widow Mrs. Schinkel, and is itself rather a high structure, it is visible from quite a distance.
The interior leaves nothing to be desired and has room from some 250 persons. There is a balcony on three sides. The head carpenter was Mr. Adolf Mueller of Hoschstadt, who deserves much pra98se for the manner in which he built such a fine structure at such a reasonable cost. Also deserving to share his praise are the elders of the congregation. Mr. Radke and Mr. Krentz, who carried forward the building of this church with great zeal....
The service of dedication was conducted by Pastor Becker of Fredensthal, and special music was provided by the brass band from Rosenau under the leadership of Mr. Klingsporn."
|
|
|