It began modestly enough, with a short announcement in the local newspaper on February 19, 1953:
"Lutheran services will be held in the County Service Building, 18 Church Street, Newton, starting
Sunday, March 8, at 2:30 p.m. ... If sufficient interest is shown it is planned to organize a congregation
on a permanent basis and expand services and facilities."
From that first meeting grew Redeemer Lutheran Church, which stands as the oldest Lutheran
Church in Sussex County. The 60 adults and eight children who attended that first worship service
planted the seeds for a church that now serves over 500 members from more than 200 families, and
that was responsible for the growth of a daughter parish in Blairstown.
The Rev. Ewald Mueller, pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Ridgewood, conducted that first
service. He was invited to Sussex County by Mr. and Mrs. Herman Kleindienst Sr., who had left the
Ridgewood church when they moved from Bergen County to Stillwater in 1947. The family frequently
made the long trip to Ridgewood to worship in their own tradition.
The intention was to meet monthly. However, with such a large gathering in attendance at the first
service, it was apparent that there was a need and desire for a church to serve the Lutherans in the
greater Sussex County area.
Pastor Mueller and a number of other pastors conducted worship services on a rotating basis each
Sunday, until that summer, when the congregation was able to call its first pastor.
"Lutheran services will be held in the County Service Building, 18 Church Street, Newton, starting
Sunday, March 8, at 2:30 p.m. ... If sufficient interest is shown it is planned to organize a congregation
on a permanent basis and expand services and facilities."
From that first meeting grew Redeemer Lutheran Church, which stands as the oldest Lutheran
Church in Sussex County. The 60 adults and eight children who attended that first worship service
planted the seeds for a church that now serves over 500 members from more than 200 families, and
that was responsible for the growth of a daughter parish in Blairstown.
The Rev. Ewald Mueller, pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Ridgewood, conducted that first
service. He was invited to Sussex County by Mr. and Mrs. Herman Kleindienst Sr., who had left the
Ridgewood church when they moved from Bergen County to Stillwater in 1947. The family frequently
made the long trip to Ridgewood to worship in their own tradition.
The intention was to meet monthly. However, with such a large gathering in attendance at the first
service, it was apparent that there was a need and desire for a church to serve the Lutherans in the
greater Sussex County area.
Pastor Mueller and a number of other pastors conducted worship services on a rotating basis each
Sunday, until that summer, when the congregation was able to call its first pastor.
| History of Redeemer! |
At that time, the name "Redeemer Lutheran Church" was adopted unanimously.
During the months since the first meeting, the congregation had moved into the Grange Hall in
Newton, and an organizing committee had been formed. Officers were Herman Kleindienst Sr.,
chairman; Waiter L. Codon, vice chairman; C. Burnett Freas, treasurer, and Ruth Ritter, secretary. The
members of the committee were John Gaisler, Onrille Matthies, Paul Hilburn, George Rost, Robert
Moore, Newton Woodruff, Willard Klemm, William Epstein, Richard J. Stark and C.F.W. Stanton.
The congregation was chartered with 92 members on January 10, 1954, and incorporated on October
31, 1954. By 1956, when Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dahlen donated two-and-a-half acres as a building site for
a church, the congregation stood at 230 baptized members and 145 communicants.
After the property was received, Mr. Dahlen built a parsonage on the site. The property and parsonage
were dedicated an September 23, 1956.
A building fund campaign had been started in August of that year to raise $30.000 for the construction
of a church edifice. In December, the church received an endowment of $4,000 toward the purchase of
an organ for the future church. The endowment was donated by H.H. Heinrich of the H.H. Heinrich Co.
of New York as a memorial to his wife, Elizabeth. Pastor Chapman said at the time that Mr. Heinrich
was "unknown to the members of the church," but his gift made a favorable impression on them.
During the months since the first meeting, the congregation had moved into the Grange Hall in
Newton, and an organizing committee had been formed. Officers were Herman Kleindienst Sr.,
chairman; Waiter L. Codon, vice chairman; C. Burnett Freas, treasurer, and Ruth Ritter, secretary. The
members of the committee were John Gaisler, Onrille Matthies, Paul Hilburn, George Rost, Robert
Moore, Newton Woodruff, Willard Klemm, William Epstein, Richard J. Stark and C.F.W. Stanton.
The congregation was chartered with 92 members on January 10, 1954, and incorporated on October
31, 1954. By 1956, when Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dahlen donated two-and-a-half acres as a building site for
a church, the congregation stood at 230 baptized members and 145 communicants.
After the property was received, Mr. Dahlen built a parsonage on the site. The property and parsonage
were dedicated an September 23, 1956.
A building fund campaign had been started in August of that year to raise $30.000 for the construction
of a church edifice. In December, the church received an endowment of $4,000 toward the purchase of
an organ for the future church. The endowment was donated by H.H. Heinrich of the H.H. Heinrich Co.
of New York as a memorial to his wife, Elizabeth. Pastor Chapman said at the time that Mr. Heinrich
was "unknown to the members of the church," but his gift made a favorable impression on them.
In June 1958, contracts were signed for the construction of the church, and a
ground breaking ceremony was held July 22, with 200 persons in
attendance. Soren B. Jacobsen of Lake Mohawk was the contractor, Robert
Clothier of Newton was the architect. The new church would be of modern
contemporary design, consisting of two buildings, joined by a long loggia.
The main body of the church is designed with a steep roof, rising from seven
to 57 feet. The plans also called for classroom and office facilities, and a
fellowship hall with a kitchen. The hall was also to be used for Sunday
School classes. The main church would seat approximately 250 persons.
Mr. and Mrs. Dahlen made another donation to the congregation, which
allowed the addition of a chapel and Bible study room in the space between
the church and the fellowship hall.
The chapel was given as a memorial to Mrs. Dahlen's parents, the Rev. and
Mrs. I.L.P. Dietrichsen. The Bible study room was designated as a memorial
to Dr. Waiter A. Maier, well-known voice of the Lutheran Hour broadcasts,
with whom Mr. Dahlen had been closely associated during the development
of the program in the early 1930's.
ground breaking ceremony was held July 22, with 200 persons in
attendance. Soren B. Jacobsen of Lake Mohawk was the contractor, Robert
Clothier of Newton was the architect. The new church would be of modern
contemporary design, consisting of two buildings, joined by a long loggia.
The main body of the church is designed with a steep roof, rising from seven
to 57 feet. The plans also called for classroom and office facilities, and a
fellowship hall with a kitchen. The hall was also to be used for Sunday
School classes. The main church would seat approximately 250 persons.
Mr. and Mrs. Dahlen made another donation to the congregation, which
allowed the addition of a chapel and Bible study room in the space between
the church and the fellowship hall.
The chapel was given as a memorial to Mrs. Dahlen's parents, the Rev. and
Mrs. I.L.P. Dietrichsen. The Bible study room was designated as a memorial
to Dr. Waiter A. Maier, well-known voice of the Lutheran Hour broadcasts,
with whom Mr. Dahlen had been closely associated during the development
of the program in the early 1930's.
Construction proceeded quickly and smoothly, and the cornerstone was laid during
the worship service on October 12, 1958. A time capsule placed in the cornerstone
contained a list of all communicant members of the church and biographies of the
pastor, church council and building committee members, the architect and the
builder. Also in the capsule were a Bible and a copy of that weeks New Jersey Herald.
The service began at the Grange Hall, and after the sermon, the congregation went to
the building site for the cornerstone ceremony.
Redeemer Lutheran Church was dedicated May 31, 1959. The Rev. Dr. Louis Henze,
former executive secretary of the Atlantic District, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod,
spoke at the 11 a.m. worship service, and the Rev. Nornan Temme, associate
director of public relations of the Missouri Synod, was guest speaker at the 4 p.m.
the worship service on October 12, 1958. A time capsule placed in the cornerstone
contained a list of all communicant members of the church and biographies of the
pastor, church council and building committee members, the architect and the
builder. Also in the capsule were a Bible and a copy of that weeks New Jersey Herald.
The service began at the Grange Hall, and after the sermon, the congregation went to
the building site for the cornerstone ceremony.
Redeemer Lutheran Church was dedicated May 31, 1959. The Rev. Dr. Louis Henze,
former executive secretary of the Atlantic District, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod,
spoke at the 11 a.m. worship service, and the Rev. Nornan Temme, associate
director of public relations of the Missouri Synod, was guest speaker at the 4 p.m.
The Rev. Arthur W. Lesslie, pastor of Grace Lutheran
Church, Middletown, Conn., accepted the call to Redeemer
and began his ministry here in June 1962. He stayed at
Redeemer until 1971, when he accepted a call to St. Paul's
Lutheran Church, Amityville. N.Y. During his pastorate at
Redeemer, the congregation increased by 300 adults and
children.
Church, Middletown, Conn., accepted the call to Redeemer
and began his ministry here in June 1962. He stayed at
Redeemer until 1971, when he accepted a call to St. Paul's
Lutheran Church, Amityville. N.Y. During his pastorate at
Redeemer, the congregation increased by 300 adults and
children.
dedication vespers. The Rev. Hans Voss, circuit visitor, was liturgist, and the Rev. Waiter Reuning, vice president of the Atlantic District,
was lector.
In December 1961, Pastor Chapman accepted a call to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Jamaica, N.Y. He had served the parish
for seven years. The Rev. Charles Ertman of Hackettstown served as interim pastor for several months.
was lector.
In December 1961, Pastor Chapman accepted a call to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Jamaica, N.Y. He had served the parish
for seven years. The Rev. Charles Ertman of Hackettstown served as interim pastor for several months.
In February 1972, the Rev. Bruce E. Rudolf accepted the call to
Redeemer, and stayed with the congregation for almost 13
years. During his pastorate at Redeemer, the congregation
began a Youth Canteen in conjunction with the Sussex County
Association for Retarded Citizens; began Redeemer Nursery
School; was active in the resettlement of refugees from
Southeast Asia: began a mission congregation in Blairstown,
and initiated a building expansion program. Pastor Rudolf left
Redeemer to accept a call to become pastor of Emmanuel
Lutheran Church in Patchogue, N.Y.
Redeemer, and stayed with the congregation for almost 13
years. During his pastorate at Redeemer, the congregation
began a Youth Canteen in conjunction with the Sussex County
Association for Retarded Citizens; began Redeemer Nursery
School; was active in the resettlement of refugees from
Southeast Asia: began a mission congregation in Blairstown,
and initiated a building expansion program. Pastor Rudolf left
Redeemer to accept a call to become pastor of Emmanuel
Lutheran Church in Patchogue, N.Y.
The first pastor of the mission church at Blairstown, later called the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, was the Rev. Edward J. Grant,
assistant pastor at Redeemer. Since then, Good Shepherd has been pastored by the Rev. Robert Klemm, a nephew of Herman
Kleindienst Sr. Many members of Redeemer who lived in the Blairstown area transferred their membership to Good Shepherd when it
was organized in 1977.
Miss Gloria Klawiter was installed as a deaconess of Redeemer in September 1982. Deaconess Gloria, as she was known in the
congregation, served as youth minister. She left the staff in July 1987 but remained an active member or the congregation until October
1994, when she moved back to California.
assistant pastor at Redeemer. Since then, Good Shepherd has been pastored by the Rev. Robert Klemm, a nephew of Herman
Kleindienst Sr. Many members of Redeemer who lived in the Blairstown area transferred their membership to Good Shepherd when it
was organized in 1977.
Miss Gloria Klawiter was installed as a deaconess of Redeemer in September 1982. Deaconess Gloria, as she was known in the
congregation, served as youth minister. She left the staff in July 1987 but remained an active member or the congregation until October
1994, when she moved back to California.
The Rev. Lynn A. Podoll came to Redeemer June 15, 1985, from Purdue University, where he served
as associate campus minister while pursuing post-graduate studies in theology and counseling.
Dennis Meyers joined the staff in September 1987 as Director of Christian Education and youth
minister, and continues to serve in that position.
In January 1992 the congregation formed a team of Stephen Ministers, part or an international
movement of lay people ministering to people in crisis. There have been about 15 people trained as
Stephen Ministers, with 10 currently active in the program.
In May l993, Redeemer dedicated an addition, the first major expansion of its facilities. The addition
enclosed the loggia and contains the community center, called Redeemer Hall; redesigned office
space, and a new office for the pastor.
At the end of 1993, Redeemer Lutheran Church had 512 members and about 120 children enrolled in
the Sunday school, with a number of adults participating in adult education programs.
In June of 1998 Pastor Podoll left Redeemer to answer a call to Emanuelle Lutheran Church in
Broadlands Illinois. After more than one and a half years without a pastor, the Rev. Thomas Diamond
was installed as the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church on February 13, 2000.
as associate campus minister while pursuing post-graduate studies in theology and counseling.
Dennis Meyers joined the staff in September 1987 as Director of Christian Education and youth
minister, and continues to serve in that position.
In January 1992 the congregation formed a team of Stephen Ministers, part or an international
movement of lay people ministering to people in crisis. There have been about 15 people trained as
Stephen Ministers, with 10 currently active in the program.
In May l993, Redeemer dedicated an addition, the first major expansion of its facilities. The addition
enclosed the loggia and contains the community center, called Redeemer Hall; redesigned office
space, and a new office for the pastor.
At the end of 1993, Redeemer Lutheran Church had 512 members and about 120 children enrolled in
the Sunday school, with a number of adults participating in adult education programs.
In June of 1998 Pastor Podoll left Redeemer to answer a call to Emanuelle Lutheran Church in
Broadlands Illinois. After more than one and a half years without a pastor, the Rev. Thomas Diamond
was installed as the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church on February 13, 2000.
The Rev. Frederick Chapman, a graduate of Concordia Theological
Seminary, Springfield, Illinois, received his appointment as pastor
from the Missouri Synod Atlantic District. He arrived at Newton in
August and was ordained into the ministry on October 3. Over 200
Lutherans from around the state attended the ordination service.
Music for the service was provided by Mrs. Edith A. Rights and the
choir of the Ridgewood church.
Seminary, Springfield, Illinois, received his appointment as pastor
from the Missouri Synod Atlantic District. He arrived at Newton in
August and was ordained into the ministry on October 3. Over 200
Lutherans from around the state attended the ordination service.
Music for the service was provided by Mrs. Edith A. Rights and the
choir of the Ridgewood church.
Redeemer Nursery School, which provides "education in a Christian atmosphere", celebrated its 20th
anniversary in 1994. The school serves 120 three and four-year-old children from the congregation and
the community. Mrs. Anne Kappelmeier is director of the nursery school, and works with a staff of nine
teachers and assistants.
Redeemer ministers to the community-at-large through Manna House, a soup kitchen for the hungry in
the area: regular worship services at The Homestead, the county's nursing home; and the Youth
Canteen, which offers recreational activities to clients of the Sussex County Association for Retarded
Citizens at Redeemer Hall.
anniversary in 1994. The school serves 120 three and four-year-old children from the congregation and
the community. Mrs. Anne Kappelmeier is director of the nursery school, and works with a staff of nine
teachers and assistants.
Redeemer ministers to the community-at-large through Manna House, a soup kitchen for the hungry in
the area: regular worship services at The Homestead, the county's nursing home; and the Youth
Canteen, which offers recreational activities to clients of the Sussex County Association for Retarded
Citizens at Redeemer Hall.
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Redeemer Lutheran Church
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| Newton, NJ 07860 Map & Directions Phone: 973-383-3945 Fax: 973-383-3954 Email: greatgod@embarqmail.com |