In October 1942, the world was at war. The construction of Camp Crowder, one of the largest army installations in the midwest , doubled the population of Neosho in a matter of weeks. Due to the steady stream of soldiers who had arrived for training at the camp, Neosho experienced a constant
431 Cemetary Rd.
Neosho, MO. 64850
(417)451-2464
In December of 1942 the Western District Mission Board assigned the Rev. Arnold Gebhardt to serve the Neosho Mission on a permanent basis. The first meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Mono Osbourn, a neighbor of the Vespers. Plans were outlined at this meeting to find a suitable place of worship. The Episcopal Church on West Spring Street was available at the time. It was rented and served as a place of worship for the Mission for the next seven years.
The first service, conducted by Pastor Gebhardt, was held on February 17, 1943, with a total of 41 in attendance. The first baptism was administered at this service to Robert Walter Johnson, son of Sgt. And Mrs Walter Johnson.
Carol (Vesper) Noah, currently a member of First Lutheran, was a member of the confimation class. The first public wedding performed was that of Lt. Daniel Vesper (Carol's brither) and Elsie Newkirk.
While Camp Crowder was maintained as an active camp, the church was filled to capacity every Sunday.
In 1946 Camp Crowder was closed. Subsequently, Pastor Gebhardt received a call to Logan , Iowa, which he accepted. His farewell sermon was on October 26, 1946. Only three or four civilian couples remained, and it looked as though the Lutheran church of Neosho had seen its last days.
Rev. Martin Schaefer, Director of the Western District Mission Board in St. Louis, encouraged the small group to continue in spite of the fact that prospects for survival were not too promising. The pastors from Faith Lutheran, Carthage, and Immanuel Lutheran, Joplin, conducted Sunday evening services until October 1947, when Rev. R. Borth, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church of Monett, assumed charge of the mission. It was under his leadership that the organization of the Ladies Aid took place.
A month later, on October 15, 1947, the congregation was formed, the constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the name of "First Lutheran Church of Neosho" was chosen. The membership roster included the following families: Pete Lauridsen, Clive Wade, Henrietta Herring , Reinhold Hintz, Elsie Voss, Harry Rossow, Glenn Camfield, Clark McGinty, Otto Vesper, Karl Krummel, Kermit Roedemeier, and Rouis Wade. Several descendents of these pioneering families are still members of First Lutheran today.
In 1950, the Episcopal Church was no longer available, and the congregation met in the American Legion Hall. They continued to meet there until the building at 114 S. Jefferson Street was purchased for $8,000.00. The Western District Lutheran Womans Missionary League contributed $3,000.00 of that amount in the form of a grant. The church was dedicated on Sunday, October 19, 1952.
Pastor Borth served as pastor until late December, 1953, when he took a call to Overland, Missouri. The Rev. Luther Meinzen, on furlough as a Missionary in India, and residing in Freistatt, consented to serve as Intern Pastor untill April 24, 1954. At that time, First Lutheran resumed being a dual parish with St. John Lutheran Church of Monett. Our 13 year relationship with St. John's was certainly a wonderful blessing. Our two churches were served by Rev. Ralph Mehring from 1955 to 1960. It was during Pastor Mehrings ministry, on February 18, 1957, that the Walther League received its charter.
After many years of struggle, we finally obtained our first resident Pastor, the Rev. Martin E. Mueller. He was installed on October 2, 1960. During his ministry, the congregation experienced a slow but steady growth. The church building was also slowly but steadily remolded and expanded. One acquisition during this time, which we have enjoyed ever since, is the nickel plated bell formerly used on a steam locomotive. The bell, which now stands in front of the church, was given to us by the Frisco Railroad. In addition to being a symbol of the freedom of religion, the bell is still being used to call people to worship.
Pastor Mueller accepted a call to another congregation in 1964, and was replaced by Pastor T.A. Weinhold. Our moral immediately became very high. It seemed he instilled a certain "matureness" in us, and we became more firm and solid with definite goals and the ambition to reach them. He retired in June , 1971.
On July 11, 1971, the Rev. James Schnackenberg, a new graduate of the St. Louis Seminary, was installed as our Pastor.
