History
Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1868 by four men and their families. For the first several years, the congregation met in the homes of its members. In 1870, a building in the Stony Point (Ryors) neighborhood was purchased to serve as the first church. A log church was built in that location around 1872. In 1883, a white-frame church building was completed in Freedom.
Pilgrim called its first full-time, resident pastor in 1885. Until then, the church was served by pastors from the Lutheran congregations at Drake and Feuersville. Pilgrim’s first resident minister was the Rev. Theodor Buszin, who remained at Pilgrim for five years, from 1885 to 1890.
Around 1885, Pilgrim formed a parochial school, with the congreation’s minister serving a duel role as teacher. The school operated off and on for the next 35 years, when the congregation had a full-time minister. During that time, Pilgrim had several ministers: the Rev. H. Nau (1890 to 1893), the Rev. Immanuel Gihring (1894 to 1901), the Rev. P. Klindworth (vacancy pastor from Feuersville) (1901-1903), the Rev. Louis Seidel (1903-1906), the Rev. Alex G.H. Wagner (1907-1909).
Pilgrim called its first full-time, resident pastor in 1885. Until then, the church was served by pastors from the Lutheran congregations at Drake and Feuersville. Pilgrim’s first resident minister was the Rev. Theodor Buszin, who remained at Pilgrim for five years, from 1885 to 1890.
Around 1885, Pilgrim formed a parochial school, with the congreation’s minister serving a duel role as teacher. The school operated off and on for the next 35 years, when the congregation had a full-time minister. During that time, Pilgrim had several ministers: the Rev. H. Nau (1890 to 1893), the Rev. Immanuel Gihring (1894 to 1901), the Rev. P. Klindworth (vacancy pastor from Feuersville) (1901-1903), the Rev. Louis Seidel (1903-1906), the Rev. Alex G.H. Wagner (1907-1909).
Freedom, 1910
In 1910, the congregation constructed a building to house its school, and the Rev. H. R. Richter became the pastor at Pilgrim. Rev. Richter remained at Pilgrim until 1912. He was suceeded by the Rev. G.H. Liepke, who served the congregation from 1912 to 1920.
School Children and Pastor Liescheidt, 1920
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Interior of the Old Church
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In 1920, the Rev. H.F. Lieschedit became the pastor at Pilgrim. Rev. Lieschedit served the congregation for fifty-four years, until 1974. Also in 1920, several women of Pilgrim decided to establish a ladies aid society. In 1948, the women of the Freedom Ladies Society joined the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, which they continue to be a part of to this day.
In 1951, Pilgrim’s school closed due to the smaller number of children attending and to Rev. Lieschiedt being asked to serve as a vacancy pastor at Drake. In 1959, a decision was made to tear down the old church. Pilgrim’s members decided to build a basement structure at that time and to construct a full church later. On December 20, 1959, Pilgrim dedicated its new basement structure. Pilgrim held services in the basement structure for more than fifteen years.
In 1951, Pilgrim’s school closed due to the smaller number of children attending and to Rev. Lieschiedt being asked to serve as a vacancy pastor at Drake. In 1959, a decision was made to tear down the old church. Pilgrim’s members decided to build a basement structure at that time and to construct a full church later. On December 20, 1959, Pilgrim dedicated its new basement structure. Pilgrim held services in the basement structure for more than fifteen years.
Basement Church Exterior
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Basement Church Interior
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After Rev. Lieschiedt’s retirement in 1974, the Rev. Lloyd Groenke and the Rev. H.W. Niewald acted as vacancy pastors to the congregation. In April 1975, a decision was made to proceed with the construction of a new church building, and work was started later that year. On February 29, 1976, Pilgrim dedicated its current church building.
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In 1977, Dr. Robert H. King became the vacancy pastor at Pilgrim. Also, in 1977, Pilgrim hosted its first Vacation Bible School. In the fall of 1979, Pilgrim extended a formal call to Dr. King to become its full-time pastor. Dr. King served as pastor at Pilgrim until 1997.
In May 1998, Rev. Norman Dierking was installed at Pilgrim. Shortly after that time, Pilgrim decided to form a dual parish with St. John Lutheran Church in Drake. Rev. Dierking served at Pilgrim and St. John until he passed away in 2011. Rev. Paul Landgraf became the pastor of Pilgrim and St. John in July 2012.
In May 1998, Rev. Norman Dierking was installed at Pilgrim. Shortly after that time, Pilgrim decided to form a dual parish with St. John Lutheran Church in Drake. Rev. Dierking served at Pilgrim and St. John until he passed away in 2011. Rev. Paul Landgraf became the pastor of Pilgrim and St. John in July 2012.