Wichita Falls, Texas, a city of 10,000 inhabitants (Aug. 1, 1936, there are 50,000), was taken in due consideration by the Texas Conference of the Evangelical Church (Ass'n) at the annual conference session at Bowman, Archer Co., Texas, in Nov. 1910.
The conference voted unanimously to take Wichita Falls up as a new mission, and supply it with a pastor. A motion prevailed, to buy, or build, the cost not to exceed $5000. J. Wellner, C. Bunse, E.G. Johnson, F.J. Schaeffer, John Laukhuf, J.F. Lade, were appointed a committee to transact business. C. Bunse was appointed pastor, and organized a class of 16 members, the date being about Jan. or Feb. 1911.
In the month of February, while Bunse was the pastor, two lots were purchased at the corner of 15th and Broad, with a modern house on the first lot, at a cost of $3000. This house was moved south on the same lot, in May 1911, at a cost of $100.00, to make room far a new church building.
Since the inscription on the corner stone of the church is crumbling rapidly, we herewith give the inscription in full:
First Evangelical Association Building Committee
Rev. J.C. Wellner, P.E. - Rev. F.J. Schaeffer
Rev. C.F. Mayer, P.C, J.F. Lade, Rev. C. Bunse, J. Laukhuf, Rev. E.G Johnson
Erected -- 1911
Jones & Orlopp -- Architects
Ferguson & Hammock -- Contractors
We shall first give a brief history of the various organizations of the church, commencing with the Sunday School:
The Sunday School of First Evangelical Church was organized April 9th, 1911 by Rev. C.F. Mayer, the pastor, with 24 scholars, 5 classes and 5 teachers.
During April 1911, a 20X35-5 ft. wall tent was purchased by C.F. Mayer, the pastor, and F.J. Schaeffer, with personal means to accommodate the Sunday School and other services.
The first part of July, work began on the new church with the corner stone laying service conducted by Rev. J. Wellner, Presiding Elder of the Texas Conference of the Evangelical Church, assisted by Rev. C. Bunse, Rev. F.J. Schaeffer and the pastor, on July 16, 1911. The cost oaf the church building and fixtures was $2200.00, including the pews, etc.
Records do not show who the first Sunday School Sup't was. But we surmise that it was the pastor, Rev. C.F. Mayer. The first record of a Sup't shows that H.G. Karrenbrock was elected for the year 1913, and held that office for six consecutive years, namely, to Jan. 1st, 1919. John Maier was Sup't for the year 1919 and 1920. R.C McIver for 1921, however, R.C. McIver was licensed for the ministry the latter part of this year, and W.D. Cook served as Sup't the remaining part of that year, and part of 1922. In the Quarterly conference records of July 11th, 1922, W.D. Cook was recommended for the ministry by First Evangelical Church. This making the second minister going out from this church within a peroid of a few years. John Maier was then elected as Sup't, and served until the close of the year. From 1922 to 1936 the following served as Sup'ts: Alfred Laukhuf, 1923; Rudolph Ermel, 1924; R.C. McIver, 1925; Rudolph Ermel, 1924, R.C. McIver, 1925; Rudolph Ermel, 1926 to 1929, inclusive; Martin Finkler, 1930, and the first half of 1931; Z.W. Heath, the last half of 1931, '32, '33, '34. David D. Decker, 1935; and J.M. Farris, the present Sup't, 1936.
These splendid men of God, with the help of the other officers, teachers, pastors, and the Holy Spirit, have made this Sunday School a success.
The following are the names of the pastors, who have served First Evangelical Church, Wichita Falls, Texas:C. Bunse, Nov 1910 to March 15, 1911. C.F. Mayer, March 15, 1911 to Oct. 20, 1012. C. Ermel, Oct 20, 1912 to Nov. 21, 1915. Geo. E. Alstadt, Nov. 21, 1915 to Oct. 21, 1917. Albert Laukhuf and E. Brundage supplied for a few months. Geo. L. Trabant from early spring of 1918 to April 1923. A.C. Laukhuf from Arpil 1923 to Aug. 26, 1923. F. Doege Aug. 26, 1923 to Nov. 1930, when he became ill and passed to his eternal reward, Feb. 3, 1931. H.C. Hoesch came to Texas, Dec. 12, 1930, commenced his ministry at First Evangelical Church, on Dec. 15, 1930, was approinted pastor, Feb. 12, 1931. And has served this field from that date to this writing, Aug. 13, 1936.
Concerning the progress of the Sunday School; its sudden gains and losses, much could be said, if we knew all the facts which enter into either case. Brother C.F. Mayer, the second pastor, states, " We need more consecrated teachers and workers. God answered that prayer also in time for the progress of the Sunday school.
Sudden increase and decrease in the enrollment, through out the years are some what suprising to us; in one year there ia loss of 33%. The Sunday School commenced with 24 scholars, April 9, 1911, and had a steady increase, with the exception of 1912. And that year there was only a loss of 3. But the enrollment of 1916 is 184. The increase of five years respectively, is: 24, 46, 43, 61, 63, 103, 184, 169. In 1918 the enrollment is only 78. Then there is an increase again, so that in 1919 the enrollment is 136. For 1920, it is 193, for 1921, 389. But records show that this enrollment is for two Sunday Schools. It was in the fall of this year, that the Yale Ave. Sunday School was organized, and flourished splendidly for four or five years. But other churches crowding into Sibley-Taylor and neighboring additions, made it difficult for the Yale Ave. Sunday School. The severe depression, commencing in the year 1929, and continuing until the present date, made it impossible for Yale Ave. to carry on. In the fall of 1931, Bishop J.S. Stamm, Bishop of the South West area of the Evangelical Church, Rev. F.J. Winter, District of the Texas Conference of the Evangelical Church, Rev. J. Harbes, pastor of Yale Ave Church, and Rev. H.C. Hoesch, pastor of First Evangelical; the Yale Ave. congregation and the congregation of First Evangelical Church deemed it advisable to merge Yale Ave. with First Evangelical Church. This was accomplished Oct. 1931, and approved by Annual Conference at Lissie, Texas, Nov. 5th to 8th, 1931. Since the merger, almost five years have passed. And looking back, we believe it was a very wise move to merge these two congregations. We believe that God was moving us in this matter.
Let us look at enrollment from 1922 to 1926. The enrollment for 1922 is 180; for 1923 only 84. (In this year there is a loss of 95 scholars, we wonder why such a great loss). For 1924, 149; for 1925, 190; for 1926, 222. Here is another peak in the enrollment. The next two years there is a decrease. Enrollment in 1927 is 213; for 1928, 201; for 1929, 223; 1930, 253; 1931, 254; 1932, 373. (This high peak of enrollment is partly due to the merger of Yale Ave. coming to First Church, and Bowman Sunday School also were in our Sunday School even before the merger was ratified by Annual Conference, Jan. 20th, 1933, in El Campo, Texas) The enrollment for 1933 is 373; for 1934, 340; 1935, 290; Jan. 1st 1936, 272. (The decrese of the last two years is partly due to the severe depression. Some children had no shoes, nor clothes good enough to wear to Sunday School, nor Public School, and partly due to the cause that not all of the Yale Ave. Sunday School scholars remained with us, becasue of lack of transportation, and other reasons.)
A little more should be said here concerning the Bowman Sunday School, which was organized, we are told by our aged members, in 1887. Thus, next year should be their fiftieth anniversary. It was agreed at the merger that the pastor conduct services at Bowman every Thursday night, namely, league, prayer meeting and preaching, all during one service. This has been faithfully carried out by the pastor and Bowman people with marked success.
Next year a fiftieth anniversary should be observed at Bowman. We are sorry that we have only one Sunday School record, a league secretary book, and the last ten years Quarterly Conference records of Bowman Church. We wish we had all the names of the ministers who served the Bowman Church. The Texas conference journals only go back to 1911. We will give a few who have served before 1911: Rev. Priebe, Rev. C.F. Mayer, Rev. C. Bunse, Rev. F.C. Dissinger, Rev. C. Ermel, Rev. F.C. Schaeffer, Rev. Tampke, (A.W.), Rev. E. Schumm, and Rev. W. Esling was one of the very early ministers. (These are not in the order in which they served the Bowman circuit.) From an early date, we have also the name of Rev. Wismar. From 1911 to date, the following have served Bowman Church: W.H. Bulgrin, 1911 to 1913; W.H. Mahler, 1914 to 1919; Albert Laukhuf, 1920; C. Ermel, 1921 & 1922; J.F. Hoover, 1923 & 1924; R.C. McIver, 1925; C.S. Holley, 1926; W.H. Mahler, 1927 to 1932; H.C. Hoesch 1932; during this year Bowman Congregation merged with the First Evangelical Church in Wichita Falls.
The Sunday School at Bowman was organized in the early part of 1887, and conducted a splendid Sunday School until the merger with First Evangelical Church at Wichita Falls. We thank God for the pioneer work done at Bowman. We are happy to have the second generation in our Sunday School at First Church. May God bless the memory of our good Christian parents. May we be as faithful as they were in attendance and giving to Sunday School.
A Sunday School cannot be carried on without finances. First Evangelical Sunday School did excellently in a financial way in these years. Here the figures are more startling than in any other part of this organization. The common axiom is: "Figures don't lie". But we have experienced that figures are often the biggest liars. In some instances it is hardly plausable that offerings should fluctuate to such a great extent from year to year. The following are the figures from 1911 to date: In 1911 the total amount of offering raised was $11.47; 1912, $28.00; 1913, $38.12; 1914, $49.07; 1915, $42.82; 1916, $51.37; 1917, $150.72; 1918, $59.36; 1919, $117.89; 1920, $595.80; 1921, $685.26; 1922, $502.45; 1923, $285.34; 1924, $198.50; 1925, $450.00; 1926, $901.74. These were oil boom days of Wichita Falls. This is the record of offering to date: 1927, $226.20; 1928, $294.00; 1929, $638.78; 1930, $732.42; 1931, $744.79; 1932, $688.64; 1933, $794.29; 1934, $817.22; 1935, $636.37. We believe 1936 will excel all previous offerings in our Sunday School. We are making rapid progress in offerings.
It should be noted that First Evangelical Church had a part in organizing Scotland Evangelical Church at Wichita Falls. In the Quarterly Conference reports of March 10, 1922, we read as follows: "We have a new Sunday School in the Scotland addition. Reported, 88 members enrolled." Some of the Sunday School officers and teachers went from First Church to assist in Scotland and Yale Ave. Churches. They also may have had some effect upon enrollment, attendance, and offering of these years.
The future of our Sunday School looks bright. Fifteenth and Broad Streets is an excellent location for a church. It is near Austin School, a good grade school, and is also a good residential section. We are planning to erect an education building this year, the dimensions of which shall be 36 X 60 ft., the cost will be about $2000.00 to $2500.00. With this additional room for new scholars, we should be able to march forward quite rapidly in attendance, enrollment, and offerings. We have $700.00 in cash at this writing, and $200.00 more in pledges, also a loan from the Church Extension Society of the Evangelical Church of $1500.00 for four years at 2% interest. We are very grateful for this loan. We say forward in the name of Him, who said: "Lo, I am with you even to the end of the world."
The 25th anniversary of the Sunday School of First Evangelical Church was celibrated on Sunday, May 3rd, 1936. The Sup't. J.M. Farris, opened the Sunday School at 9:40. Dannie McIver, Ass't. pianist of our S.S. was at the piano before class session, and Mrs. L.B. Hodges, S.S. pianist, played for the closing part of Sunday School. After the class session, a picture was taken of the whole Sunday School. There are approximately 250 persons on the picture. We reassembled in the church auditorium for a short program. Brother Farris gave a short address. A. Hastings, Mrs. J.W. Baker, Z.W. Heath, and the Sup't. led in prayer during the program hour. The young people's choir rendered a special number. Miss Dorothy Posey, the S.S. secretary, read the history of the Sunday School, from the time of organization, April 9th, 1911, to date, which was compiled by H.C. Hoesch, the pastor. Mrs. J.A. McLaughlin rendered a solo, accompanied by Mrs. E.J. Fisher, church pianist, on the piano. The pastor preached on the text, 1st Sam. 7:12, "Ebenezer, hitherto the Lord has helped us." Rev. W.H. Mahler led in the closing prayer. The Sunday School offering was $16.59. There were 265 present in Sunday School session. It was a perfect day. The sun shone beautifully. Rain had fallen the preceding night.
The Woman's Missionary Society was organized April 27th, 1911 with five charter members, and was conducted in the German language, until the World War broke lose, and the United States entered into the war in 1917. It was reorganized in the year 1920 in the English language. The organization in 1911 took place in the parsonage, there being no church building at that time. C.F. Mayer, the pastor was chairman. The first officers were: Pres. Mrs. F.J. Schaeffer; V.Pres. Mrs. Helen Schaeffer; Sec. Mrs. Bohrhauer; Treas. Mrs. C.F. Mayer.
A motion prevailed that the Society meet every two weeks, and pay 10� monthly dues. The membership soon grew to eleven, and in the year 1913, two more were added. Records show that on Oct. 4th, 1912, $5.00 was voted to the Texas Conference missions, $2.50 to General missions, and $2.50 for linoleum in the parsonage.
In the annual report of 1913, we read that the total sum of money raised amounted to $30.30.
The last recording secretary's record we can locate of this society in May 12, 1915, at which meeting a letter was read from Bishop Wm. Horn, asking for financial aid for the orphan's home. It was decided that each member pay 25� toward this cause. (The Texas Conference shows that the W.M.S. was carried on after the year 1915, for the 1917 Conf. Journal shows 13 members and a total sum of $48.80 raised). Very likely the records of the W.M.S. of the years 1915 to 1919 are lost.
The Quarterly conference records, Jan. 2, 1920 state that the W.M.S. had been reorganized, and Mrs. W.D. Cook, elected president. She held this office until May, 4th, 1922, on which date Mrs. J.W. Baker was elected president, and held that office until Dec. 1929, when Mrs. E.J. Fisher was elected to that office. Mrs. E.J. Fisher held that office for 1930 and 1931. Mrs. L.E. Hughes was president 1932 and 1933. Mrs. E.J. Fisher was again elected for 1934. Mrs. C.Y. Elliott for 1935, and Mrs. L.E. Hughes for 1936.
A few statistics from the Texas Conference Journals of the Evangelical Church reveal the following: The 1920 Texas Conference Journal shows 11 members, and $12.00 raised during the conf. year. 1921, reports 28 members, and $101.88 raised; of this sum $43.19 was sent to the Texas Conf. Missionary Society. 1922 reports 18 members, a decrease of 10, but a sum total of $90.09 raised. In 1923, the membership dropped to 9. This is a low mark; from this point, the membership increases steadily. In 1924, the membership was raised to 37, and the total sum of $113.33 raised. Henceforth, there was a loss of membership for the next three years, so that 1929 it totaled 51. In 1930, the membership increased to 52, and raised $337.78. (A large part of this was spent locally for poor people.) The finances decreased from this time forth. Membership for 1931 was 55, and raised $121.52. Membership in 1932, 62, raised $73.78. Membership 1933, 74 (the highest peak) raised $128.76. Membership 1934, 74, raised $145.43. Membership for 1935, 58, raised $100.34. This another low mark, the result of which is the severe drought of 1934, many people moving away. Also through the cleaning up of records, taking members off of the roll, who had moved away.
The Golden Jubilee of the Woman's Missionary Society of the Evangelical Church was observed in the year 1934, and our full quota of $63.00 was raised. The Young People's Missionary Circle and the Mission Band also raised their full quotas.
A brief history of the Y.P.M.C., Mission Band and Little Heralds should be given here.
A Young People's Missionary Circle was organized Oct. 23rd, 1931 with 13 charter members. The following have been the presidents of Y.P.M.C.: Albert Reed, Rae Littrell, Evelyn Fisher, Irene Baker, and Dorothy Posey. The present membership is 25. Mrs. L.B. Hodges was first sponsor of this organization.
A Mission Band and Little Herald Roll was organized in Nov. 1931, with Mrs. S.G. Merritt, and Mrs. H.C. Hoesch, Advicors, Respectively. At the end of the first year each of these two organizations could report a membership of 26. After two years, ths Mission Band was divided into two divisions, ages 8-12, and 12-15. They are doing fairly good work. The younger groups has a membership of 19, the older, 15. The Little Herald Roll has a membership of 17.
A Missionary Union was organized in Dec. 1930, composed of Yale Ave., Bowman, Scotland and First Evangelical Churches. Mrs. E.J. Fisher was the first president. The annual election was held Jan. 4th, 1932, with Rev. Harry Huscher, chairman. The first anniversary was celebrated with a beautiful three tier cake and birthday ceremonies. It was voted that we pay 25� dues to be used for the Missionary Maintenance Fund of the Evangelical Church. We were to meet four times a year; once in each of the four churches. Officers elected at this meeting for the ensuing year were: Pres., Mrs. E.J. Fisher; V.Pres., Mrs. F.A. Bidelspacher; Rec. Sec., Mrs. Fred Decker; Treas., Mrs. Geo. A. Turner; reporter, Mrs. M.M. Matthis. After Yale Ave. and Bowman merged with First Church, it was decided to meet twice a year.
Yale Ave. and Bowman also had a W.M.S. organizations, until they merged with First Church. Just when Bowman W.M.S was organized, we don't know. But older members claim it was about 1906. The Texas Conference Journal of 1911 reports 12 members at Bowman, and $17.00 raised; $5.00 for the Gen. Missionary Treasury, and $12.00 for the Texas Conference Missions. Through out the years, the membership increased and decreased. Finances always stood pretty high.
On Sunday Night, April 26th, 1936, the Woman's Missionary Society of First Evangelical Church celebrated its 25th anniversary. All of the presidents, were present and were seated on the rostrum, except Mrs. F.J. Schaeffer, deceased. Mrs. E.S. Marshall was in charge of the program. Mrs. Wayne Sommerville was the guest speaker. Mrs. L.E. Hughes led in the opening prayer. Armin Chas. Hoesch gave a trumpet solo, accompanied at the piano by his mother. Mrs. J.A. McLaughlin sang a solo, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. E.J. Fisher. Mrs. W.J. Baker gave a tribute and lighted the candle in memory of the first president, Mrs. F.J. Schaeffer. Mrs. C.Y. Elliott gave the offertory prayer. The ushers, in W.M.S. costume, were Mrs. J.A. McLaughlin, Mrs. I.M. Littrell, Mrs. L.L. Cossey, and Mrs. W.H. Norman. The history of the Society, compiled by H.C. Hoesch, the pastor, was read by Mrs. E. Elliott. The anniversary offering amounted to $2.83. Prayer was offered and benediction pronounced by the pastor. Approximately 150 persons were present.
The Woman's Missionary Society of First Evangelical Church has accomplished untold good for time and eternity. On this 25th anniversary, we want to make a new resolution to go forward in the name of the Lord. We cling to the good slogan: "The Line Shall Not Break Where We Stand!" May the Lord give us greater vision, and a deeper consecration to do more for Him each year.
The Brotherhood of First Evangelical Church was organized Sept. 17th, 1931, with 15 charter members. J.M. Farris was elected as the first president. It was decided to conduct monthly meetings. At the Oct. meeting, Dr. Wolford, a local physician, was our guest speaker, and gave us an instructive message.
The following statistics show in a brief way that this organization had a struggle, as any newly organized society has. But inspite of the struggle, it is doing fairly good work.
| Conf Year | Membership | Money raised |
| 1932 | 28 | $25.88 |
| 1933 | 28 | $1.55 |
| 1934 | 28 | $28.64 |
| 1935 | 66 | $34.89 |