The First German Congregational Church was organized in 1876 in Lincoln, Nebraska, among a group of German immigrants from the Volga area of Russia. The group re-organized in 1888.
Regular services were held in rooms of the Park School building from May of 1888 until 1889. The congregation was led by Adam Traudt, a student from the Chicago Theological Seminary who left his studies for a year to minister to the spiritual needs of these people.
Under the direction of Dr. M.E. Eversz, the superintendent of the German Conference, a church with an adjoining school building was erected at 234 West F Street and dedicated on 24 March 1889. In 1900, the Rev. E.C. Osthoff and some forty families were granted letters of dismissal to organize the German Congregational Zion Church.
Location:
234 W. "F" Street
Lincoln, Nebraska
The following pastors have served First German Congregational in Lincoln:
Rev. H. Sallenbach (1875-1880)
Rev. J. Kunz (1880-1881)
Rev. Adam Traudt (1888-1889)
Rev. J. Lich (1889-1898)
Rev. E. C. Ostoff (1898-1900)
Rev. G. Henkelmann (1900-1902)
Rev. J. Lich (1902-1906)
Rev. B. R. Baumann (1907-1910)
Rev. G. Henkelmann (1910-1929)
Rev. P. Jueling (1929-1930)
Rev. A. Claus (1930-1931)
Rev. G. J. Schmidt (1931-1933)
Rev. T. Radach (1933-?)
M.E. Eversz
- Eisenach, George John. A History of the German Congregational Churches in the United States (Yankton, SD: Pioneer Press, 1938): 257.
- First German Congregational Church (Nebraska State Historical Society)
The parish records of ministerial acts (baptisms, marriages, burials) for First German Congregational Church covering the years 1889-1977 are available on microfilm at the Nebraska State Historical Society.
