|
|
Facts and Events
| Name |
William Randolph Wessels |
| Gender |
Male |
| Birth? |
25 Jun 1918 |
Ash Grove Township, Iroquois, Illinois, United States |
| Baptism[1] |
Jul 1918 |
Iroquois, Iroquois, Illinois, United StatesSecondary date: 15 JUL 1918 |
| Confirmation[2] |
25 Mar 1934 |
Crescent City, Iroquois, Illinois, United StatesSt. Peter Lutheran Church History of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Crescent City, Illinois by Shanda Jaremus [This writing/"talk" was put together by Shanda G. Jaremus for the Wessels family reunion on August 6, 2005, and was relayed as we toured the church] The growth of Crescent City with its businesses, etc. and the purchasing of area farmland etc. allowed many families from the Schwer area to relocate to Crescent City and surrounding area. Consequently Pastor Philip Ackermann of St. John's Lutheran church at Schwer ministered the first group of Lutheran who eventually came to be the founding fathers for St. Peters Then, in August 1887, pastor F. H. Stachling of Ash Grove officially organized the St. Peter's congregation and officers for the church were elected. Those officers were Friedrich Wessels, Elder; Claus claussen, Deacon; Alexander ulitsch and Gerd wilms, Trustees. For the first few years the worship services were held in Crescent City schools and in the congregational church (which I don't know where/what that is/was) -- I could only find a reference that it was a 28 x 38 foot building that was built in 1870. It was on a lot that was referenced as now being where the home of Mrs. Henry Willms was residing in 1976. From approximately 1887 to 1889 another pastor from Ash Grove, pastor William Engelbrecht served the congregation. In February 1889, at the yearly congregational meeting a resolution was made to build a church. Lots were purchased from a Mr. Harwood and a frame church was built -- size 28 by 40 ft. That first church was built across the street from where we are now. It looked a bit different from the present church in that everything was ground level. (Whereas this current church building is raised/build higher off the ground). The front entrance of the first church was built out from the main building and rose straight up, continuing above the top of the church roof and then going into the steeple. On one side of the church in the front was a white picket fence and in a picture that I saw you could see the roping out front which I believe was for the tying up of the horses/carriages. In that same year the congregation called its first "resident" pastor -- william. Weltner. A year later pastor C. Helmreich came from Nebraska and served the congregation for 47 years! The church grew steadily and in 1912 the congregation decided to build a new church. It was also a frame building, 40' by 70'. It was built across the street from the old original church and was dedicated on June 1, 1913. (Where we are now) It had a Hinners pipe organ, which the Luther League raised the funds for. In 1954 the congregation was able to build for the pastor and his family the home, which is located just to the north of the church. With continued growth in membership the congregation, in 1956, was able to begin plans for another expansion/building project which would allow for increased seating capacity in the church with additional space for Sunday School rooms and meeting rooms and a church office. The groundbreaking was held October 12, 1958. When this was completed a dedication service was held October 18, 1959. Within the church there were a number of organizations/groups. One of the original organizations for the women in the church was the -- American Lutheran Church Women. That organization was broken down into four circles/groups -- the Dorcas, the Martha, Mary and the Ruth circles. (It actually was originally was called 'The Ladies Aid Group') Each group had it's own area of activity that they would be responsible for. These groups usually dealt with 'mission' work. The men had 'the brotherhood' and they focused on financial support for any children in the congregation who would attend Bible camp, sponsoring father-son outings and took care of ground cover costs for the church (i.e. schrubbery) There also was a sewing circle, Luther League, Junior Lutheran Group, 2 choirs, along with a full Sunday School staff and cemetery staff. This church is a classic old German Lutheran style church -- with the gothic arched windows. The original structure is a rectangle with classic white clapboard wood-siding with a tall steeple. Interior is also classic with tall arched ceilings in gothic style, beautiful stained glass windows -- with aisle running down the middle and choir loft in the back balcony of the church. The altar, pulpit, etc are beautiful carved solid wood. It has a full serviceable basement with other meeting rooms with full kitchen and bathrooms. The cemetery for the church is just south of here on Route 49 on the east side of the road -- which the congregation also beautifully maintains. The original parsonage is still across the street -- slightly to the north. It is a two-story frame house that at the date is owned and lived in by Wayne Bruniga. St. Peter's has been beautifully maintained throughout the years -- the congregation has appreciated it's beauty and kept it pretty much "true to form and style" with tasteful improvements that do not detract from it's original design. Friedrich Wessels, who was a founding father of St. Peter's and all of his sons and their families and the subsequent following generations have worshipped in this church. They have had communion here. Have celebrated with weddings, baptisms, and have shed tears with the loss of loved ones at funerals, not only of their own families but also of those with their congregational friends. |
| Death? |
7 Sep 1999 |
Watseka, Iroquois, Illinois, United States |
| Burial? |
9 Sep 1999 |
Crescent City, Iroquois, Illinois, United StatesSt. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery |
He was active in the Lutheran Men in Mission at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Crescent City, Illinois.
September 11, 1996 He had surgery to ream out his prostate after having a malignant tumor removed from his bladder a week earlier.
August 1999
Cancerous tumor discovered in his abdomen, a metastasis of his previous prostate cancer.
Funeral service was held at St. Peter on September 9, 1999, Rev. Harold Grafe, officiating. He preached on Hebrews 12:1-11 -- "Produces a Harvest of Righteousness." Pallbearers were Kirk Bode, Willie Schmidt, Gordon Rhoades, Dennis Wagner, Wayne Bruniga, Ron Leiding.
Obituary
W. Randolph Wessels, Lifelong Farmer
Watseka -- Visitation for W. Randolph Wessels, 81; of Watseka, a lifetime farmer in Crescent City-Watseka area, will be from 9 am Thursday until the 11 am services at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Crescent City, where he was a member. The Rev. Harold Grafe will officiate.
Burial will be in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Crescent City. Memorials may be made to his church. Arrangements were by Segur-Knapp Funeral Horne, Watseka.
Mr. Wessels died today (Sept. 7, 1999) at Iroquois Memorial Hospital, Watseka.
He was born June 25, 1918 in Ash Grove Township, the son of William and Emma Schaumburg Wessels.
Surviving are two sisters, Geneva Bode of Fox River Grove and Bernice Gotsch of Oak Park; one sister-in-law, Anita Wessels of Gilman; and eight nieces and nephews. A brother, Harold, is deceased.
_FSFTID: L6L7-L48
_AMTID: 250108267294:1030:113160583
References
- ↑ Baptized at St. John Lutheran Church of Schwer.
- ↑ His confirmation verse was John 16:23.
|
|
