VGI Updates

St. Boniface church of Vincent was organized in 1907 by a number of families from the St. Fidelis parish in Victoria. They were seeking to have a church nearer to their farms. Seven families were responsible for completing the building:

Moritz (Maurice) Baier
Lorenz Braun
Anton P. Dreiling
Bernhard (Ben) P. Huser
Michael Reichert
Valentin (Walter) Rajewski
Peter I. Weigel

Bethlehem Lutheran Church was founded by Volga German families on 31 October 1897. They first met in the school house and then worshiped in the Methodist Church until 6 May 1906 when they dedicated their own church building. This building was used by the congregation until it was destroyed by fire on 14 December 1945. A new church was dedicated on 19 June 1949.

Location

The first Roman Catholic Masses in WaKeeney were in a private home in 1908. Because of such a small membership, they met in many different homes until 1934 when Christ the King Catholic Church was organized.

Location

Many Volga German families have been part of the history of Immanuel Lutheran Church in WaKeeney. It was first formed in 1925. During its last years, the congregation was affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

The congregation disbanded, and the building was sold in 2021. It is now a private residence.

Location

Zion Lutheran Church was organized in May 1905 by a group of Volga German families living in the area of what is called Trego Center, 9 miles south of WaKeeney on Highway 283. The charter members were the families of: Christ Rohn, Friedrich Margheim, John Henry Deines, John J. Deines, John F. Deines, John J. Berschauer, Henry Schneider, Fred Dietz, George Deines, George A. Mai, Peter Mai, David Deines, Jacob Deines, J.J. Bauer, Adam Mai, and Henry Fabrizius.

In 1893, a school building was constructed in Walker, and on Christmas Day, 1903, the first Mass was said for the Volga German settlers living in the area. Construction of a church building was begun the following year. It was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, 1905, to St. Ann.

A parochial school was constructed in 1924 and dedicated in August of 1925. The Sisters of St. Agnes run the school.

The following men were founders of Walker:

When the cement factory was built in Yocemento, Capuchin frairs began holding Catholic services in the homes of the residents. Local German and Volga German farmers near Yocemento sought permission to create a parish. They erected a frame building on a site west of the first bend of Big Creek. The church was later moved to its present site and was dedicated to St. Agnes. The cement plant failed in 1917 and the Hungarians gradually moved out of the community.

The church was later abandoned, and in 1931 it was moved to the Buckeye community where it was used as a community hall.

First Reformed Church was founded in Flint in July of 1919 by Volga German families from Huck, Messer, and Döhnof. They were soon joined by families from many other colonies. The Rev. John Schmalz was called as the congregations first pastor, and he arrived on 1 December 1919.

This congregation is now called Peace Presbyterian Church and is affiliated with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Location:

Corner of Buick and Gillespie Streets
Flint, Michigan

Our Savior Lutheran Church was established in 1920 as a daughter congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church, also in Port Huron, by a group who wanted to worship in English.

Our Savior is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Location

1029 6th Street
Port Huron, MI 48060-5344
810.982.1240