Last September 13th, 2025; St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 150th Anniversary. Every Wednesday we are going to post one of the articles from the time of our Anniversary. These were created at the direction of the St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church 150th Anniversary Committee. This Week we start with the beginning:
1850 - 1875
On September 13, 2025, one hundred fifty years have passed into history since the St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Florida, Ohio became an officially organized body. The initial beginnings, however, date back much farther than one hundred fifty years. It can be said quite safely, the congregation is really more than a hundred fifty years old. A number of charter members who signed the first constitution of St. Peter in 1875 had settled in and around the village of Florida in the middle part of 1800. As far as can be ascertained, we find among such early Lutheran families the names of Fred Leonhard, William Goldenstern, John Lange, Christian Barth, and William Spengler. These members had not formed an organized congregation before 1875, but up to that time held divine services together with St. Johns - Michaelis Congregation in North Richland Township, Defiance County.
The history of St. Peter before 1875 coincides with that of the sister-congregation in Richland Township. This neighboring church which no longer exists, had been served by Pastor Adam Detzer for a number of years, when on January 1, 1854, it was organized under the leadership of Pastor Henry Koenig into a formal congregation. Among the 17 families who constituted the newly founded church there were several who lived in or near Florida, namely the families mentioned above. From 1854 to 1870 these people were supplied with religious services by Pastor Detzer, then residing in Defiance. Already at this time Sunday worship was held now and then in private homes of Florida and later in an old school house, which later was turned into Florida’s Town-hall.
The first recorded baptisms in St. Peter Church Records are:
Jakob Peter, born July 5, 1851. Parents: Philip and Katharina Peter. Baptized on August 3, 1851.
Wilhelm Heinrick Stockmann, Born August 5, 1851. Parents: Johann and Maria Stockman. Baptized on August 5, 1852. Witness: Wilhelm Goldenstern
The first death recorded was:
Philip Peter, Born on November 7, 1847 and died on March 8, 1855.
The first marriage was:
Jacob Thieme and Maria Laucher on November 14, 1854.
The first Confirmation Records are dated May 7, 1855.
Historical information is reprinted from “Word and Sacraments 100 Years September 13, 1875 - September 13, 1975” - Centennial Anniversary Booklet (With one hundred fifty years substituted for one hundred years)
And from “St. Peter Lutheran Register 1854 - 1920” Translated from German by Mr. Henry zumFelde
