Skip to main content

VGI Updates

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church - Baltimore

The parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel dates back to 1855. When the Volga German families that settled in the Loctus Point neighborhood arrived, most attended the parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel.

In 2002, the three parishes of Holy Cross, St. Mary, Star of the Sea, and Our Lady of Good Counsel formed the Catholic Community of South Baltimore, though each still a separate canonical parish.

Location:

1530 E. Fort Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21230
410.752.8498

Emanuel Lutheran Church - Milberger

Early in 1885, a group of German Lutherans who had immigrated from Russia gathered under the leadership of Pastor J. Wittig. Later that same year, a congregation was organized under the leadership of Pastor A. F. Augustin - on 26 April 1885. The charter for this congregation was dated 25 May 1885 and was filed at the State house in Topeka on 26 August 1885. Charter members: Adam Dietz, George Keil, Adam Karst, Jacob Becker, Peter Deines, John J. Michaelis, and Fred Keil.

Immanuel Lutheran Church - Milberger

Immanuel Lutheran Church was organized in the spring of 1901 under the leadership of Pastor J. G. F. Kleinhans. A charter was issued to Immanuel Lutheran by the State of Kansas on 21 June 1901. It was signed by Jacob Steiner, Fred Schneider, Jacob Wegele, A. F. Breihan, and Jacob Becker.

A frame building was built in 1904 an dimprovements were made through the years as modern conveniences became available.

Services were conducted in the German language until 1950 when some English services were added. German was completely discontinued in 1968.

Staerkel, George

George Staerkel was originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. George played his first professional gig at age 10 as an organist with the Esquire Trio, giving him more than 5 decades of professional experience. After attending Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in the early 70’s, he spent many years on the road, most notably serving as lead vocalist, keyboardist and instrumentalist with the world famous “Tokens” (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) from 1980 – 1985. He made Arizona his home in the year 2000 where he has been thrilling audiences ever since.

Stor(c)k (Rothammel)

Matthias Stork, son of Christian & Anna Maria Stork, was born 26 February 1740, and baptized 27 February 1740, in Lampertheim (near Worms). On 25 January 1766 Matthias Stork married Margaretha (surname unclear) in Lampertheim.

They were recruited by Precourt to immigrate to Russia, arriving from Lübeck at the port in Oranienbaum on 13 September 1766 aboard a ship under the command of Skipper Johann Grapp.