Edmunds County Tribune -

St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Roscoe will have a special service on Sunday, September 9 at 4 p.m. to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the building of their church.

Pastor Glen Hieb, a Roscoe native, will be the guest preacher as the congregation and friends gather to give thanks to God and rejoice in 125 years of His grace.

St. Paul's Ladies' Aid will host a time of coffee, snacks and fellowship beginning at 3 p.m. in the church basement. A catered meal will be served at the Roscoe Legion Hall following the service with a freewill offering accepted.

A group of German Lutherans organized a congregation in 1893. Services were conducted in homes and then in a small school building north of Roscoe. Pastor Keller of Bowdle served from 1904-07. During his pastorate the congregation organized and adopted the name of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The congregation had 27 voting members. The first church was built in 1906 under the guidance and direction of Pastor Keller, who was also efficient as a carpenter. The first pastronage was erected in 1907 according to the Roscoe Centennial book.

The first resident pastor was A.C. Bartz who was called to the church in 1907.

Pastor J.P. Scherf of Balaton, Minn. accepted a call in 1921. He served for 18 years. At the time the congreagation membership increased to 100 voting members. They decided to build the current gothic-style brick church. It was completed in 1928.

The new church was dedicated on Sunday, Dec. 16, 1928. The dedication program said the bell was presented to the congregation by "one who wishes well for its success in the future." The Ladies Aid Society raised over $2,000 through bazaars, dinners and other fundraisers to donate the pews and carpet.

For more information: facebook.com/StPaulsRoscoe or [email protected] or (605) 287-4142.