DULUTH, KANSAS |
 St. Paul's Lutheran Church, dedicated July 1876. |
 Left of Altar |
 School |  Right of Altar |
 Altar |
 St. Paul's Lutheran Church |
Duluth is a very small town about five miles northwest of Onaga. Documents show the Duluth Town Council was incorporated February 23, 1907, with the following membership: William Kolterman, Ed Kolterman, Charles Kolterman, J. A. Bonjour, R. A. Bonjour, C. B. Bonjour, Henry Berges, Herman Hartwich, Jr., Alcide Bonjour, F. F. Kuehl, F. C. Kuehl, Ephriam Bonjour and Pauline Hartwich. Two years later they agreed to buy twenty acres from Ernest Kolterman at $60 per acre -- the north one-half of the northeast quarter of Section 18, lying north of Union Pacific Railroad grade. Also, the proposition made by William Kolterman was accepted if necessary -- a strip of land not to exceed twenty acres. The original name was Doelitz; but, was later changed to Duluth. The plat of Duluth, KS, shows all the lots, streets and alleys and their dimension dated July 5, 1909 as laid out by the Duluth Town Council; the Duluth Town Council dissolved on February 20, 1915.
The general store was built by William Kolterman around the year 1911, and operated by his son Frank Kolterman and son-in-law Ernest Berges until 1947, when it was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Teske who operated it until it closed.
The post office was established September 16, 1912, and occupied one corner of the store. Miss Bertha Kolterman was postmistress until January 1, 1913, when Ernest Berges took over for 30 years. Frank Kolterman was then postmaster until 1947. Etholene Teske held the office for the next 33 years. Clarence Teske then served Duluth post office as clerk in charge until it closed.
Duluth has had in the past a number of businesses -- lunberyard, blacksmith shop, band hall, barbershop, restaurant, depot, stockyards, and a garage.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Duluth, was organized in the spring of 1875, by the Reverend H. C. Senne of Alma. Nine charter members signed the constitution. They were William F. Kolterman, Michael F. Hartwick, William Knipp, Christian Buchholz, Fred Hartwich, fred Kufahl, J. F. Brunkow, Fred Wegner and W. F. Brunkow. Others to associate themselves with the congregation soon after organization were Michael Tessendorf, Fred Marten, W. F. Matzke, Michael Hunholz, August Wegner, John Ganzke and Adam Mitze. In 1888, St Paul's joined the newly organized Kansas District of the Missouri Synod.
In October of 1875, W. F. Kolterman donated a square of four acres at the northeast corner of his farm. Here the first church was built and dedicated July, 1876. It was a stone structure, 25X40 feet. The entire cost was $554.99, and it served both for church and school. At that time, school was conducted by th3 pastor. The present church was built on land donated by Wm. Kolterman and Aug. Buchholz. Dedication ceremonies were held September 18, 1898. Extensive remodeling was done in 1940, and in 1974, an addition was made to the south of the church, adding an entry, mothers' room and restrooms. The parsonage was constructed prior to 1879, and a new parsonage was completed in 1928.
The first school teacher was called in 1909 and a teacherage was erected the following year. In 1926 a new school building was constructed of native rock with modern classrooms and a full basement. It serves St. Paul's today for Sunday School and organizational meetings. The Lutheran Day School closed after the 1966-67 term.
One of the most active organizations within St. Paul's has been the Ladies Aid, organized in 1913, and affiniated with the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML). Other organizations are Youth Group, organized as Walther League in 1914. The Men's Club, was organized in 1932. The Parents' Club began in September 1946, and the Fwllowship Club, affiliated with the Lutheran Laymen's League was organized in 1955. The Young Adult Choir was formed in 1963, and the Senior Choir has been active for many years.