Salem's History
Ann Arbor (Scio), Michigan
Pastor Lyle A. Hallauer
Salem’s History – Ann Arbor (Scio), Michigan, Pastor Lyle A. Hallauer. Church photo and history found in WELS Historical Institute Journal, Volume 2, Number 1, Spring 1984. Published by the WELS Historical Institute, 2929 N. Mayfair Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53222. Printed by Northwestern Publishing House, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Copyright 1984 by WELS Historical Institute.
ANDREW JACKSON was in his second term as president of the United States . . . Michigan was still a territory . . . Ann Arbor was a pioneer hamlet, a handful of rough-hewn log buildings near the Huron River . . . the year was 1833 . . . and the beginning of Salem Lutheran congregation. Salem's history, again, gives evidence of the truth that small and insignificant is the beginning of God's kingdom. For it was a small group of German emigrants coming from southern Germany, who in 1831 made their way into the densely-forested region of Washtenaw County, at the time still a part of the great Northwest Territory. All were of the Lutheran faith, and the sterling character of their faith may be seen from the fact that they broke ties that bound them to the fatherland and sailed for the shores of an unknown America, solely because false teaching became prevalent in the home church.
Such devotion to their Lord moved them to immediately establish a place of worship in the settlement called Scio Township. A log cabin was used as Salem's first house of worship. Very likely, reading services were held during the early period of settlement. But such an arrangement could only be temporary to the devout fathers of Salem. They cheerfully submitted to many hardships of pioneer days, but they would not be deprived of true Christian preaching and administration of the sacraments. So they appealed to the Basel Mission Society of Switzerland to supply them with a servant of Christ. The petition was granted, and in 1833 Pastor Friedrich Schmid was sent to serve them. He was the first Lutheran pastor in Michigan, and on September 20 of the same year he organized Salem Congregation. By record and tradition, Salem has the distinction of being the first Lutheran congregation in Michigan Territory and the oldest member congregation of the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod.
Salem, at Scio, where Pastor Schmid established his first pastorate, became like Antioch of old, a central point for the spreading of the gospel. The grace of God brought about much of the early development of the Lutheran church in Michigan by the zeal and untiring missionary activity of Pastor Schmid, a dynamo of energy and religious fervor. While giving spiritual leadership to his Salem members, he made his way along forest trails on foot or on horseback to many new settlements in Michigan, organizing Lutheran congregations and eventually supplying them with a pastor from the Basel Mission Society, or one personally tutored by him at Salem. More than 20 congregations from Detroit to Monroe, from Saginaw to Lansing and Allegan, owe their beginnings to him.
Salem retained its log cabin church for about four years. But due to the influx of emigrants from Germany, the growth of the congregation soon made the building of a larger and more adequate place of worship necessary. This was erected on the present church site, a frame building, 30 by 40 feet, at the cost of $1,000.
Salem's character of firm Lutheranism is seen by the fact that it sought and maintained synodical affiliation only with such bodies that were of sound Christian faith and practice, and soon severed relations when the confession became questionable. In 1843, Pastor Schmid, with a small number of pioneer pastors, organized the first Lutheran Synod of Michigan. It was called the Mission Synod because it planned extensive mission work among the Indians of the state. Because of doctrinal differences this first Lutheran synodical body was abandoned in 1846. In 1860, Pastor Schmid and eight other pastors, including Pastor Stephan Klingmann of Adrian and Pastor Christian Eberhardt of Hopkins and three delegates from different congregations, organized another Michigan Synod. Pastor Schmid served as chairman of this body from 1860 to 1866, and Pastor Klingmann from 1867 to 1880. Salem retained membership with this body until 1892, when the Michigan Synod, in conjunction with the Synod of Minnesota and the Synod of Wisconsin, organized the larger body of the Joint Ev. Lutheran Synod of Wisconsin and Other States, now known as the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod.
Particular mention should be made of the founding of New Salem at Sebewaing. In the fall of 1852, Pastor Schmid encouraged a number of young members of Salem to leave Salem and establish a new home for themselves at Sebewaing. Their number was increased the following year by newcomers from Ohio, and shortly a congregation was organized under the name of New Salem. New Salem became a true daughter congregation of Salem at Scio.
Pastor Schmid served Salem until 1867, when after 34 years he resigned his pastorate because of declining years. Pastor Stephen Klingmann was called as Salem's second pastor. Under his pastorate, Salem apparently experienced its greatest development. Noteworthy in particular is the fine training and disciplining given Salem during this period of missionary endeavor. Mission festivals were always observed on two successive days, and at regular monthly intervals, comparatively large collections were raised and sent to India for the extension of God's kingdom.
Soon after Pastor Klingmann was installed, the congregation bought land across the street from the church, on which there was a house and another building. The house became the parsonage and the other building was rebuilt to serve as a school where the pastor held classes for three or four months of the year, the precursor to Salem's Christian day school.
The rapid growth of Salem made the planning of another church building necessary. On May 3, 1870 the cornerstone laying of Salem's third and largest church building took place and on October 9 dedicatory services were held. It was built of brick at the cost of $14,000.00, a beautiful structure with its lofty spire and its interior woodwork of black walnut and butternut. This edifice with a capacity of 500 still stands and serves the congregation well.
In April 1891, deep sorrow came to Salem congregation by the death of its beloved Pastor Klingmann, who during 24 years of faithful service had gained the respect and affection of all. His body was laid to rest in the congregation's cemetery. His son, Pastor Julius Klingmann, was called to succeed his father. In1893 another school was built in the southern district of the congregation and until 1910 two schools were maintained, classes being held alternately in both schools for several months during the school term. Pastor Klingmann was followed by Pastor Karrer. He in turn, was followed by Pastor F. Thrun. During his pastorate, a new brick school building was erected in 1917. Pastor Thrun was followed by Pastor W. Bodamer. And he, in turn, was followed by Pastor F. Schulz. Before he was called to his eternal rest in 1935, the transition from the German to the English language began, beginning with the minutes of the congregation recorded in English. In 1936, Pastor A. Wacker was called to the congregation.
Mindful of the mission zeal of its first pastor, the congregation has always been mission-minded. Not only did the congregation take part in establishing a mission among the Indians of the Saginaw area, but when the congregation was asked to give Pastor Wacker a leave of absence so he could take part in exploring a mission field in Africa, it readily consented. Pastor Bodamer was another who later became the Synod's director of the Polish mission. Several young men and women of the congregation were encouraged to enter the teaching and preaching ministry. One son of the congregation, Pastor E. Renz, became a missionary in Florida and for about ten years served our men and women in the armed forces in Germany. Pastor Wacker and a successor, Pastor A. Baer, served on the mission board of the Michigan District.
Until 1961 Salem's Christian day school operated as a one-room school. During Teacher Ronald Kaiser's term as teacher, a second classroom was opened and the school has remained a two-room school to the present time. Twice in its history there was a threat of closing the school but it survived. Twenty-six teachers, not counting Pastor Klingmann, have served this congregation. One of them, Ronald Kaiser, resigned to study for the preaching ministry and is serving one of our congregations in Colorado.
After Pastor Baer retired from the parish ministry, Pastor L. Hallauer was
called in October 1968 and is still serving Salem. During the past 15 years several important milestones in the history of the congregation were noted. In 1970, the centennial of the church building was observed. The congregation also hosted the area Reformation festival several times. It became a charter member of the Huron Valley Lutheran High School. On March 28, 1976, ground was broken for the congregation's third and largest school building, consisting of three classrooms, a gymnasium, office and a Pioneer room. On September 25, 1977 the building was dedicated.
During the fall months of 1983 the congregation observed its sesquicen tennial, giving thanks to God for his grace and mercy for so many years. Several of the eleven pastors who served Salem took part in the momentous occasion.
It is the fervent prayer of the congregation that the Lord Jesus continue to bless, guide and protect his flock.
Pastor Lyle Hallauer is at Salem in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This congregation is the oldest member of the Wisconsin Synod.