Wilmettes 75th Anniversary 1872-1947WILMETTE LIFEEnglishof the | second mortgage loan and finally Lutheranemstission to accept a call inthe W.agreed to advance an additionalJohn D. Couff erChurchBreak Ground for Chapel$10,000. the balance of the money Here WasGroundrequired to complete the buildingBusy President was broken on JulyStarted30was covered by a first mortgage, 1922, for a bungalow chapel. In in 20sloan.John DuBois Courier, a villagethe meantime an endeavor wastrustee elected in 1904, was presi-A survey of Wilmette early inmade to secure a regular pastor.Ground was broken for the newdent of Wilmette from 1906 to 1915.1921 revealed the need for an Eng-The Rev. William Guise, called frombuilding on Sunday, June 2, 1929,During his term of office, the pres-lish Lutheran church in this com-the Olivet Lutheran church, Toledo,with an address by the presidentent village hall was constructed, themunity. Accord-Ohio, began his duties October 15,of the Chicago Conference, the Rev.storm water relief sewer installed,ingly1922., Dr. ThomasPaul E. Bishop. Despite unseason-the sanitary district bridges andB. Hersch, a mis-Theably cold weather there was a crowd. congregation continued to wor-pumping station built, and manysionary superin-ship in the Womans club until De-Lay Cornerstone in 1929miles of pavements and streets im-tendent under thecember 17, 1922, when the first serv-Thproved. Mr. Couffer was instrumen-e cornerstone of the new churchdirection of theice was held in the new chapel.tal in the creation of the WilmetteUniteedifice was laid Sunday afternoon,d LutheranFormal dedication was made onChurcAuguspark district.t 11, 1929. The address wash in Ameri-January 7, 1923.made by Dr. John ,E. Hummon,Born on October 30, 1867, at Cov-ca, called to-The Rev. Carl I. Empson waspastor of Luther Memorial Church,ington, Ohio, Mr. Couffer enteredgether the pros-called from the House of PrayerChicago. The completed buildingthe service of the Pennsylvaniapective congrega-Evangelical Lutheran church, Ali-was dedicated on November 24, 1929.railroad at Chicago in 1886, and wastion March 1,quippa, Pa., November 27, 1927. HePastor Empson was called to be-appointed agent at Green Line, Chi-1921. Regularassumed active charge of the parishcome the pastor of the First Eng-cago, in 1903, and in 1914 was pro-servicesDecember 15, 1927. At the first an- of wor-lish Lutheran church of Decatur,moted to the position of generalshipnual congregational meeting held in were begun,111., and resigned effective Septem-western freight agent of the Pitts-January, 1928, several members ex-ber 15, 1931. The congregation askedburg, Cincinnati, Chicago and St.the congregation Rev D R Kabelepressed the conviction that the great-beingthe Rev. David R. Kabele, (inset)Louis railroad at Chicago. On supplied byest need of the congregation wasministersprofessor of church history and Eng-March 1, 1920, he was appointed from Chicago.a new church building.lish Bible at the Chicago Lutheranassistant general freight agent ofIn April, 1921, the Rev. A. O.The pastor, authorized to appoint! Bible school, to supply the pulpitthe Northwestern region.Soholm was called as Missionarya building committee, named theuntil a permanent pastor could beHe was a member of Wilmettepastpr and on Sunday April 17, 1921,following: Scott S. Smith Sr., chair-mansecured.Lodge No. 931, A. F. and A. M., the, Mrs. E. B. Knudtson, Mrs.the congregation met at the Wom-A. D. Gash, Mrs. Gustav Buchholz,HeUnion League club and the Traffic began his service the Sundayans club and organized with 39Joseph Johnson, Charles F. Brandtbeforeclub of Chicago, as well as being Christmas in 1931, and oncharter members.J. T. Peterson, and E. B. Knudtson.January 17, 1932, was called to be-active in the Chicago SwitchingPastocome pastor by a unanimous votecommittee, Illinois Freight and Cen-r Soholm presided and theAn entire year was spent in plan-of the congregation. He was installedtral Freight associations. In addi-following trustees were elected:ning and in the fall of 1928, George H.on March 6, 1932, by Dr. Roy Catlin,tion, he served in an advisory ca-Louis F. Mueller, A. H. Homrighaus,Buckley, Chicago, was engaged asMpresident of the Illinois Synod.pacity in the Wilmette Board ofarchitect, after which definite plans. B. Schnauder, Charles F. Brandt,Williambegan to take shape.PastoAppeals on Zoning and was a mem-r Kabele resigned on De- Melbye, Sr., Edward B.UhleFinancial preparation was madecembeber of the Wilmette Plan commis-r 13, 1942 to enter the chaplain-. The corporate name "Wil-mettcysion. of the United States Naval Re-eunder the direction of E. B. Knudt- English Evangelical Lutheranserve.He died on October 13, 1923, in hisChurchson. A "Loyalty Crusade," super-" was adopted.vised by Dr. A. C. Hageman ofTheresidence at 903 Lake avenue. present pastor, the Rev. FredThe present location, SeventhRippey, Iowa, was held from MarchA. Millhouse, was called from Mes-street and Greenleaf avenue, wasI 24 to April 14, 1929. This crusadesiah Lutheran Church of Rockford,VARIETY OF NAMESpurchased on June 1, 1921. Plansresulted in the raising of approxi-III., on March 22, 1943. Mrs. Mill-Antoine and Archange Ouilmetteswere immediately begun for a house| mately $33,000 in cash and pledges.house is the daughter of Louis F.eight children were named Joseph,of worship. In February, 1922, theThe Board of American MissionsMueller, one of the organizers ofLouis, Francis, Mitchel, Elizabeth,Rev. Mr. Soholm resigned as pastorwas approached with reference to athe congregation.Archange, Josette and Sophia.This 75th anniversary of Wilmette offersus the opportunity to express our deepappreciation to our many friends and patronswhom we have been privileged to serveR. K. Heist, PresidentSANITONESHORE LINE?CLEANERS,;C1215 Washington Avenue, WilmetteWilmette 3400Glencoe 1300 Highland Park 3400Greenleaf 3400