• strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_argument::init() should be compatible with views_handler::init(&$view, $options) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_argument.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_validate() should be compatible with views_handler::options_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_submit() should be compatible with views_handler::options_submit($form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter_node_status::operator_form() should be compatible with views_handler_filter::operator_form(&$form, &$form_state) in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/modules/node/views_handler_filter_node_status.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/glencoenews/www/www/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.

Full crowd bids farewell to St. Matthew’s, Penn Township

The Rev. Andrew Hermodson-Olsen led the final worship service at St. Matthew’s in Penn Township on Sunday morning, Sept. 27. The church is closing its doors after 150 years as a congregation.

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Penn Township was literally packed to the rafters Sunday as an overflow crowd packed the pews and the balcony for the congregation’s final worship service.
After the service began, congregants were offered the chance to share memories which, after some coaxing from lay minister Darwin Frauendienst, they did for some 45 minutes.
Don Bartels was the first to his feet as he shared memories of his 1962 confirmation class. And about softball, as the church grounds included a softball field.
“I think if there had been a state association (for Luther League softball), we’d have done very well,” he said.
Jim Bartels also spoke about softball, saying vacation Bible school students would play before class, at noon and after the school day ended.
Jim Bartels said he was especially grateful for “the Becker girls, because they could catch ball.” He also had fond memories of songs Sunday school and vacation Bible school students learned, memory work and confirmation classes.
Carol (Wendlandt) Bartels said she had fond memories of the older people who attended church at St. Matthew’s.
“I can look at a pew and see them sitting there,” she said. She especially remembered the Christmas programs, which she said “reminded us of why our parents brought us here … to know the love of Jesus Christ.”
Bernetta Alsleben, at 92, said she is probably the oldest remaining member of the congregation.
“I was baptized, confirmed, married and will be buried here,” Alsleben said. She also noted that her mother was the church organist for 20 years.

For more, see the Sept. 30 print edition of The Chronicle.