Our History
Church Organized 1867
The Jackson Evangelical Church was organized in May, 1867, by twenty-eight interested German-American residents of the town who united to worship and study in their native mother tongue and to enjoy the benefits and companionship that a church organization would offer them. Most of the members had been born in Germany and had migrated to the United States seeking a freedom that was no longer possible in Europe.
Their first official act was to elect a church council. It was composed of the following: Charles Harenberg, Jacob Friedrich, Adam Hoffman, and Herman Goyert. The Baptist Church on South High Street offered the new congregation the use of their sanctuary for Sunday afternoon meetings.
The group was without a pastor and decided to obtain the assistance of Reverend John Frederick Kies who was living north of Pocahontas on the road to New Wells, where he was teaching school and preaching at the Bethel Church of Pocahontas.
Reverend Kies had been installed at Bethel Church two years before, November 5, 1865, by Reverend A. Strauss of the Ebenezer congregation, Jonesboro, Illinois, four days after he and his bride moved to Missouri from Illinois.
The Jackson congregation knew that Reverend Kies was assisting a similar group in the Whitewater Community, now Tilsit, to help organize them into a church body.
One day while Reverend Kies was waiting in Wagner’s Bakery, Jackson, for a driver from Tilsit and his team to take him to the Whitewater Community, several of the older men from the Jackson congregation met him and expressed the desire of their group that he hold regular services for them in Jackson. He agreed, and for the next few months services were held every third Sunday afternoon in the Baptist Church. When Reverend Kies lacked transportation he walked from Pocahontas to Jackson.
The congregation soon decided to build a church house of their own and Jacob Tobler gave a lot on what is now East Adams Street for this purpose. It adjoined the lot where the present church is located. He and Jacob Kneibert were the motivating forces in promoting the first church building and making it possible.
The church was completed in the winter of 1867, and the Reverend G. Press preached the dedication service. He was serving as pastor at the Salem Evangelical Church, in the Umbeck Community six miles south of Jackson on the Benton Road. Reverend J. F. Kies, who had helped to organize the Jackson church, was asked to serve as the first permanent pastor. He accepted and moved his family and household belongings to Jackson in wagons furnished by the congregation.
In securing the services of Reverend Kies the Jackson church was fortunate. He was a scholar, a strong leader, a man of high religious principles, and his guidance enabled the young congregation to lay a firm foundation that would withstand many rigid tests, especially in the years that followed 1872, when Reverend Kies left Emmanuel’s pastorate to write religious material for a Chicago publishing house.
He remained in Jackson for two years, occasionally preaching at country churches; then he turned his attention completely to teaching and moved his family to Tuscarawas County, Ohio until 1877 when he returned to Jackson to establish a semi-religious weekly newspaper called the “Deutscher Volksfreund.” At this time he re-affiliated with the Jackson church, and noting the weakened condition of the church, encouraged its reorganization.
Years of Trial
While the church had been without a regular pastor, the temporary services of Reverend Stoeker and Kochendoerfer from the Salem Church and Reverend Eschenfeld of St. John’s Church, near Oak Ridge, had held the struggling congregation together. The lay leadership within the Jackson church had been challenged and had attempted to meet the needs of the group as best they could.
Sunday School Organized
Mrs. Adam Hoffmann, affectionately called Grandmother Rosalie Hoffmann, organized a Sunday School for the young people. She was assisted in this project by Mrs. Lena Boss, Mrs. Lulu Rosa, Mrs. Joseph (Emma) Koehler, Mrs. Anna Bienline, Mrs. August Kuellmer and Mrs. Anna Puls. The Sunday School had to overcome many obstacles, but Grandmother Hoffmann remained steadfast in her devotion to the work for over twenty-five years until her health prevented her active participation. Whenever a teacher in the department had to be replaced because of illness or death, someone was ready to fill the vacancy; such teachers were Professor Edlich, William Schwarz, and later Miss Clara Friedrich and Miss Helena Hoffmann. There were many other faithful leaders and teachers who gave generously of their time and talents to the Sunday School work.
Church Reorganization, November 28, 1884
The church had no regular pastor until the reorganization took place at a meeting held November 28, 1884. John M. Buerkle was appointed chairman of the meeting, and J. F. Kies was made secretary. The membership roll at this time was recorded and many of the original founders of the church of 1867 were still active. Other names had also been added to the congregation. The original membership list was lost, but the second list has been preserved.
Rev. J. F. Koletschke, 1886-1889
After the reorganization took place, Reverend J. F. Koletschke was called as pastor in 1886. The first parsonage was erected for Reverend Koletschke. It was built at 309 East Main Street.
First Mission Festival, September 12, 1886
Under Reverend Koletschke’s leadership, the first Mission Festival was held September 12, 1886. The festival was planned for outdoors, but inclement weather necessitated that it be held inside. The congregation responded to the event, and the festival was attended. A collection of $41.50 was taken which was considered a large donation at that time.
The “Frauen-Verein” or Ladies Aid was organized January 15, 1888, with a Missionary Society within the group.
Rev. A Santner, Prof. Edlich, Rev. R. J. Irion, 1889
In the year 1889 the Reverend A. Santner came to Jackson. Following his resignation Professor G. Edlich filled the pulpit and assisted with the Sunday School. The Evangelical Church Board also lists Reverend R. J. Irion as serving that year in Jackson.
Reverend W. Gaertner, 1889-1895
Reverend William Gaertner was called to the Jackson church in the fall of 1889. He was a strict churchman and introduced a more formal type of worship. The name of the church was changed and incorporated to The German Emmanuel Evangelical Church of Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. (Deed Rec. Vol. 23, p. 40, also Cr Ct. Rec. Vol. o, p. 102, Courthouse, Jackson, Missouri.) Under Reverend Gaertner’s leadership the membership increased in numbers and a schoolroom was added to the church building. The Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the church was observed and the church united with the Evangelical Synod of North America.
Reverend C. Roth, 1895-1900
Reverend Carl Roth was the pastor who served the Jackson church from 1895 to 1900. He was an excellent teacher and taught in the parochial school in addition to being the church pastor.
Reverend F. Bosold, 1901-1904
Reverend F. Bosold came to Jackson in 1901 and remained until 1904. During his pastorate the church was remodeled, a tower erected, and a bell purchased.
Reverend E. Reh, 1904-1908
Reverend Emil Reh served the Jackson church from the spring of 1904 until 1908.
Reverend W. F. Herrmann, 1908-1916
Reverend William F. Herrmann became the pastor in the spring of 1908 and remained until 1916. The church continued to grow and the first Adult Bible Class was organized in 1910. A more permanent system of keeping church records was adapted.
A. Kitterer, 1916
After Reverend Herrmann left, a student from Eden Seminary, St. Louis, August Kitterer, filled the pulpit during the summer of 1916. He had a strong appeal and influence with the young people.
Reverend G. DuVal, 1916-1920
Reverend George DuVal assumed the duties of the church in the fall of 1916 and remained with the congregation during the difficult years of World War I. He was a strict churchman but was admired by everyone in the congregation for his devotion to duty and loyalty to the church and its members. He was with the church during the Fiftieth Anniversary, 1917, when an orchestra was organized.
On June 14, 1917, the old Priest property on the corner of East First South Street (East Adams), and South Second East Street (South Ohio) was purchased from A. P. Behrens after the dwelling on it had been removed to the southeast corner of East Main and South Ohio. The price of the lot was $1400.00. The congregation had been anticipating erecting a new church and decided to reserve the corner lot for that purpose.
At a meeting held February 9, 1919, the Church Council decided to wait about building the new church and erect a new parsonage first. The Priest lot was seeded and trees were planted. A parsonage committee was appointed: R. C. Kneibert, ch.; Linus Penzel, builder; Louis F. Wagner, Henry Brennecke, Otto L. Hoffmann, Charles Sievers, Mrs. L. B. Boss, Mrs. Katherine Paar, Mrs. John Lucht. The parsonage was erected on the center of the 148 ½ foot lot, 306 East First South Street (East Adams) at a cost of $8220.69.
Reverend T. Lehmann, 1920-1926
Reverend Titus Lehmann assumed the pastorate of the church June, 1920. The parsonage was completed in February, 1921. In the fall of that year, Miss Lydia Kies, a daughter of Reverend J. F. Kies, founder of the church, decided to become a missionary. She prepared for her work at the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, and was assigned to a mission station in Rapiur, in the Central Provinces of India. She sailed for India, October 12, 1921, and remained at her post until her death in 1936. She was supported by the Jackson Evangelical Church.
Fifty-Fifth Anniversary, 1922
The Fifty-Fifth Anniversary of the church was celebrated May 28, 1922.
New Church Plans Started
At the annual meeting, January 4, 1925, the congregation unanimously resolved to start a building fund in anticipation of erecting a new church. The fund grew slowly and amounted to $60.00 at the time a donation was received from “Uncle Fritz Walter’s” estate that increased the fund to $390.00. At the January meeting, 1926, it was decided to begin building the church in 1927. A building committee was appointed: Albert Sander, ch.; Fred A. Schneider, Otto L. Hoffmann, Miss Helena Hoffmann, Linus Penzel (builder), Mrs. Fred E. Kies, W. Schwarz, J. W. Friedrich, and Reinhold Zschille. The architectural firm of Hoener, Baum and Froese of St. Louis was engaged.
In the spring of 1926 Reverend Titus Lehmann tended his resignation to the congregation in order to accept an editorial position on the staff of Eden Publishing House, St. Louis. During his pastorate the difficult adjustment of changing from German to English language, for church services and functions, had been accomplished. The Sunday School and Young People’s League had increased in numbers.
Reverend Carl Jankowski, July 1926-August 1931
Reverend Carl M. Jankowski assumed the duties of the church in July 1926. The building committee reported at the January 9, 1927 meeting that pledges amounting to $16,302.00 had been received. Plans were made to accept the architect’s plans, April 6, 1927, and the contract was let to the builder, Linus Penzel, on July 2, 1927.
A farewell service was held in the old church July 10, 1927 followed by ground breaking ceremonies for the new building. On October 2, 1927, the corner stone was laid; Pastor Jankowski preached in German, and Reverend R. Lehmann of Christ Evangelical Church, Cape Girardeau, followed with a message in English.
When the building was completed the Norman-Gothic style of the new sanctuary was impressive as well as beautiful. It was 90 feet four inches long and 35 feet wide; the rear section with anterooms measured 40 feet in width. The interior was stained antique oak. The heavy oak pews and the bell from the old church were moved to the new sanctuary. Dedication of the new church took place, May 20, 1928. The Emmanuel Evangelical Church, Jackson, Missouri (the name at the time) was sixty-one years old.
Reverend W. H. Siebert, August 1931-Spring 1935
Pastor Jankowski served the congregation until August, 1931 when Reverend Warner H. Siebert came to Jackson. He worked effectively with the young people and accomplished many things in the church. He was also active in civic affairs in Jackson. In 1933 he organized the Emanuel (note change in spelling) Chapter of the Church Brotherhood, a group dedicated to the details of running the Evangelical Church. The local organization was a member of the Cape County Brotherhood Federation.
During the depression years Fred Kies, a son of Reverend J. F. Kies, served as president of the congregation and head of the Church Council. He was editor of the Cape County Post, a new name given to the newspaper his father had founded March 3, 1879. Mr. Kies’ expert management brought the church through a difficult financial period in the country’s history. All church obligations were met. In the spring, Reverend Siebert accepted a call to Detroit, Michigan.
Reverend Paul Piepenbrok, May 1935-June 30, 1942
Reverend Paul Piepenbrok of Shulenberg, Texas, joined the Jackson church May, 1935. During the interim before his pastorate began, student pastors, Herman Baur and Leonard F. Weigal, from Eden Theological Seminary served the Jackson church. A class of six was confirmed by them.
Under Reverend Piepenbrok’s leadership the church increased in size and numbers, and such organizations as the Brotherhood Class and the women’s groups expanded. In 1942 the church women were reorganized into circles; every woman in the church was assigned to one unit. All of the circles met once a month at a Guild meeting. This form of organization was instituted nationally, synodically, and locally throughout the country.
Reverend Piepenbrok accepted a call to Washington, Texas, June 30, 1942.
Reverend H. Borne, September 20, 1942-1950
Reverend Herman Borne of New Orleans joined the Jackson Evangelical congregation as pastor September 20, 1942. The Youth Fellowship Class was organized and the Young People’s work was stressed under his leadership. The nation was at war with Germany again, and a number of the men and women in the church joined the armed forces. By 1945, when the hostilities ended, the list numbered 65, and their names were inscribed on a Service Roll in the vestibule of the church.
While Reverend Borne was the pastor of the Jackson church the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary was observed, November, 1942. Speakers for the occasion were Dr. S. D. Press, whose father had officiated at the dedication of the first church in 1867. Dr. Press was President Emeritus of Eden Theological Seminary. Part of his boyhood had been spent in the Umbeck Community when his father was pastor of Salem Church. The other speaker was Reverend Ralph E. Weisser of Christ Evangelical Church, Cape Girardeau.
The Jackson Evangelical Church began to assume a share in the responsibilities of filling the pulpit vacancies of country churches. An orchestra was organized, and the choir was enlarged and developed in quality under the direction of Mrs. John Moeckel. The music of the church also profited from the choral society organized by Leroy Mason who was head of the music department of the high school. The choral society was composed of members from the seven local churches.
In 1947 the Milde blacksmith property, across from the church, was purchased with the idea of erecting a new parsonage in the near future. The lot was cleared and converted into a temporary picnic area until building the parsonage began.
The Brotherhood Class undertook to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop in 1948. Raymond Willer was the Scoutmaster; he was assisted by committee chairmen composed of members from the congregation.
Reverend M. A. Torbitzky, January 6, 1951-January 14, 1966
Reverend M. A. Torbitzky accepted the call to the Jackson church after Reverend Borne left. He preached his first service January 6, 1951, and conducted his first funeral in the church that afternoon with the services for August P. Voges.
Reverend Torbitzky introduced many new ideas that strengthened the organization of the Evangelical church, Jackson, that now was renamed Evangelical and Reformed church. A newsletter was started in 1951; a new Constitution was adopted in 1952; a parsonage was built in 1956 on the Milde property, and dedicated November 11 of that year; an education building was started in 1963 on the lot that adjoined the church were the first church was erected. Plans for the building were drawn by Glenn Luetje; the builder was Penzel Construction Company, Jackson. Many donations were received to make the educational structure possible. It was completed in 1964.
When Reverend Torbitzky closed his pastorate January 14, 1966, to accept a call to the Zion United Church of Christ, St. Louis, the longest ministry in the prior history of the church was terminated, covering fifteen years and fourteen days. Reverend Torbitzky passed away February 14, 2005, after serving in active ministry for over 40 years.
Name Changed 1959
The name of the church was again changed near the close of Reverend Torbitzky’s pastorate to the Emanuel United Church of Christ, Jackson, Missouri.
Student pastors from Eden Theological Seminary filled the vacant pulpit until a new minister was called.
Reverend F. Brandenburg, July 17, 1966-1974
John Mabrey, president of the church council, announced on June 15, 1966, that the Reverend Fred Brandenburg, St. Louis, a recent graduate of Eden Theological Seminary, would begin his pastorate at the Emanuel United Church of Christ, Jackson, on July 17. Reverend Brandenburg and his wife, Shelly, arrived in Jackson on July 13, and his first service was held four days later. He was installed on Sunday, August 28, 1966, at a service in the sanctuary at 2 p.m. by Reverend Robert Niehaus, St. Louis, Associate Conference Minister of the Missouri Conference of the United Church of Christ. Dr. Eugene Wehrli, Professor of New Testament, Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, and Reverend C. R. Turner of the United Church of Christ, Cape Girardeau, also officiated at the service.
Reverend Brandenburg served the Jackson church until 1974.
Reverend C. Hanser, 1974-1987
Reverend Carl Hanser began his pastorate at the Jackson church August 18, 1974. During his pastorate the Casavant organ was selected and purchased from Quebec, Canada. It was unique because the keyboard is opposite in color of a piano keyboard. It was dedicated on September 23, 1979. Accepting a position at the Gomer United Church of Christ, Gomer, Ohio, Reverend Hanser closed his pastorate at the Jackson church on June 21, 1987. Regarding his ministry, he baptized 83, confirmed 117, and conducted 95 weddings and 95 funerals. Reverend Hanser retired in 1998 after 39 years of ordained ministry. Sadly, he passed away December 9, 2005.
Reverend Gilbert Bumb, 1987-1988
Reverend Gilbert Bumb served the Jackson church from the summer of 1987 until 1988.
Reverend Samuel E. Roethemeyer, 1988-2013
Pastor Sam began his pastorate at Emanuel United Church of Christ on June 5, 1988 and was installed on September 11 of the same year. Pastor Sam was a wonderful and inspiring leader for Emanuel. Encouraging involvement and discipleship, Pastor Sam pushed mission service throughout the church.
During Pastor Sam’s ministry many changes took place. First, in 1989, an elevator was installed on the east side of the church to provide handicap accessibility. Then, in 1999, to expand parking, the church purchased two houses, one on East Adams Street behind Fisher Auto Parts, and another on South Ohio Street between Betty Self’s house and the Shaw Insurance building. The two lots were cleared and paved.
Additionally, after much debate, the congregation voted to purchase the property to the east of our sanctuary and Sunday school building on East Adams Street. A boarding house used to reside on the property, but was torn down to make extra parking area. The former rental house remains on the property, as well as a newly constructed garage for extra church storage.
Pastor Sam was well known both at Emanuel and around the Jackson community for his care for all people, served the longest pastorate of any minister in Emanuel’s history, and was honored with the status of “Pastor Emeritus” at Emanuel’s 150thAnniversary celebration on September 24, 2017.
Reverend Robert Atkinson, 2013-2014
Reverend Robert Atkinson served as interim minister from October 2013 to April 2014.
Margaret Puchbauer Scholarship Established, March 30, 2014
The Margaret Puchbauer Scholarship was announced on Sunday, March 20, 2014, at Margaret’s retirement celebration and was established by a $10,000 gift from the Board of Christian Education which was paired with a $10,000 matching grant from the Southeast Missouri University Foundation. Emanuel UCC was the first church to forge a relationship and create a scholarship with the University Foundation Endowment Fund. Emanuel’s Christian Board of Education determined that this scholarship would both help serve the educational needs of many young people, and be a fitting tribute to “Miss Margaret,” who served the church as secretary for 43 years. During that time her love and positive, uplifting spirit touched the lives of hundreds of church members and children. Margaret Puchbauer passed into life eternal on August 6, 2017 at the age of 97.
Reverend Mindy Kiepe, 2014-2015
Reverend Mindy Kiepe served as interim minister from May 2014 to April 2015.
Reverend Joseph R. Rowley, May 2015-June 2021
Reverend Joe Rowley began his pastorate with Emanuel on Sunday, May 24, 2015. He was installed August 16, 2015. He lead the church through the COVID time as we navigated through this difficult time. Reverend Joe left in the summer of 2021 to pursue teaching history.
Reverend Rodger Kiepe, September 2021-May 2022
Reverend Rodger Kiepe served as interim minister from September 2021 to May 2022
Pastor Joshua W. Rau, July 2024-Present
Pastor Joshua W. Rau began his pastorate with Emanuel on Sunday July 28, 2024.