1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Evangelical Lutheran churches merge

Sunday, June 19, 1966 went down in the annals of local Lutheran Church history as the day of dedication of a new church in Steinbach, and the day of a merger of three district Lutheran churches.

The dedication service at the new St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church at Henry Street and Kroeker Avenue in Steinbach was under the direction of Pastor Martin C. H. Hulseman.

The new church merged St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Friedensfeld, St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Friedensfeld, and St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Steinbach into one congregation.

Members of the three congregations put their resources together to build a large new church in Steinbach.

The construction of the new church is a dream come true for members of the three congregations. It was in 1963 when a plot of land was purchased where the new church was to be constructed, “if and when”.

The “if and when” came in January of 1965, when the congregation decided to go ahead and a finance committee was elected, charged with the responsibility of collecting funds for the proposed building.

A full program of inspiring music by soloists, as well as the junior choir, German and English adult Lutheran choirs, and organ recitals added to the June 19 dedication service, which included many guest speakers, each expressing their congratulations and pleasure at the opening of this new church building and the amalgamation of the three congregations.

The Lutheran Women of the Church were busy all week leading up to the dedication Sunday and their efforts culminated in more work to be done Sunday, as some 700 guests were served a hot dinner of turkey and all the trimmings.

The “trimmings”, Friedensfeld style, meant cabbage rolls, meatballs with mushrooms, a variety of salads and dainties for dessert, served with oceans of coffee and tea.

A supper consisting of cold plates and cabbage rolls was served to about 500 people and evening guests, about 300 in number, were served the leftover food from the two previous meals.

Marie Malkoske, president of the combined German Women of the Church congregation, had about 175 ladies helping her in the organization and serving of the three meals, making sure no one would leave the church hungry.

The Women of the Church furnished the modern kitchen at the new Steinbach church with a fridge, stove, sinks and kitchen cabinets.