1939: New Wynot church holds its first services

Nov. 23, 1939

WYNOT — Dreams have finally become a reality to the Lutheran congregation as services are being conducted in the newly erected church, built on the site of the old building. The old structure was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1936.

Under the leadership of the Rev. R.L. Falk, pastor, and by means of donations from church members, the building was recently completed.

James Nelson of St. Helena was the contractor in charge of building.

The name of the church, which formerly went under the name of Our Savior was changed to Bethany, owing to the fact that the Obert Church bore the same name.

Since the destruction by fire of the old church, services were held first in the theater building and later in the parsonage. Dedication of the new church will probably not take place until next spring.

The new building has a full basement, is 26 by 38 feet with a 14-foot ceiling and an entry 10 by 14 feet.

It has a full basement with dining room and kitchen painted white. The main part of the church is finished with composition wood in blocks of different colors. The outside is finished in smooth stucco with a steeple 14 feet square and 26 feet high. The windows are Florentine design. The altar is made entirely of black walnut and is hand carved.

The pulpit used in the church was made for the Old Presbyterian church in St. James by August Strenzke about 1893 and was in use by the Presbyterians and Lutherans for about 30 years. The new church furniture was bought and the pulpit was in storage at the time of the church fire and so escaped destruction. New pews and a new furnace yet remain to be installed in the church.

The Lutheran organization in Wynot was effected at a general meeting July 1, 1917. Prior to that time services were held occasionally by Rev. Andreas Maskell. The Presbyterian Church building was used for the services. In 1918, Rev. N.C. Charlson was engaged as resident pastor and the name of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church was adopted.

Early in 1919, arrangements were made by the Lutheran Congregation to buy the Presbyterian Church property, and in April of that year a deed to the property was made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church by the trustees of the Presbyterian congregation. However, owing to some difficulty with the Niobrara presbytery, it was not until Jan. 20, 1922, that title was vested in the Lutheran Church.

Later in the year of 1919, Rev. Charlson resigned and arrangements were made to have Rev. Hestenes of Maskell hold services twice a month.

In 1920, the matter of affiliating the Wynot parish with that of Maskell and Obert was considered and in January 1921, the Obert and Maskell churches extended an invitation to join their parishes to call a pastor which was accepted. In January 1922, Rev. Hestenes was succeded by Rev. O.C. Harang as pastor of the affiliated churches. In 1923, the first Sunday School was organized with Mrs. Bertha Preisler as superintendent.

Under the pastorate of Rev. R.O. Aga, the church made notable advancement in membership. Many improvements were made to the church property and a new basement was made including a dining room and kitchen. After two years Rev. Aga asked to be relieved of his duties. Rev. E.L. Bentach accepted the position and arrived in November.

In January 1926, the Luther League was organized among the young people and a reading room and library was instituted by the league. Rev.

Bentson remained until November 1928 and was succeeded by Rev. Robert L. Falk.