The records of the St. Peter's Evangelical Church cover the period of 1856 to 1985 with the majority of the materials falling within the years of 1916 to 1960. The early records are in German, but most of the records from about 1920 are in English. The record group contains documents pertaining to the founding and history of the church, as well as its articles of association, bylaws, and constitution. Financial reports from 1939 to 1952, general correspondence, membership records, publications, announcement books, and records of the meetings of the Church Council and various committees from 1856 to 1961 are also included. There are photographs and pictures of the various pastors who have served the church over the years. Other audio/visual materials include slides, and cassette and reel-to-reel tapes.
The record group is arranged in ten series: Record Books, History, Operational, Buildings, Pastors, Congregation, Church Activities, Publications, Visual Materials, and Sound Recordings.
The congregation of the St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church was first organized in Plymouth, Michigan on March 5, 1856 by Reverend Friedrich Schmid. In 1833 Schmid was sent by the Basel Mission Society in Switzerland to lead a congregation of German Lutherans in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As part of his ministry, Schmid regularly traveled to Plymouth to act as the spiritual leader for the few German Lutheran families located there. Having no formal church organization, Schmid held services in private homes on a rotating basis.
Not until 1856 did the Lutherans of Plymouth organize into a congregation. Five leading men within the German community agreed to become charter members of the church. These men were Peter Gayde, J.M. Petershans, Peter Trinkaus, Johann Georg Fischer and Wilhelm Amrhein. Schmid himself was elected president.
On March 11, 1856 the congregation purchased its first church building from the local Baptist congregation for $140.00. Additional costs included the purchasing of a new site upon which to locate the church, moving the building to the new site, and preparing it for use. When the church had been paid for in its entirety, it was dedicated on December 26, 1858. Much financial hardship was experienced as the congregation endeavored to generate the necessary funds to maintain the church and its congregation through the period of the Civil War and the attendant postwar depression.
Having survived the economic depression from 1867 to 1879, the fortunes of St. Peter's congregation improved. Under the leadership of Pastor H. Abelman, the voting members decided to build a new church (referred to in the finding aid as "Old Church" since the congregation would build a second church in 1954). This church was dedicated on October 14, 1883. On this date the first sermon in English was delivered. Previously, all sermons had been in German. Through the years the Old Church was renovated and enlarged leading to a rededication service on March 16, 1924.
From 1928 to 1931 a rift developed between the congregation and Pastor Charles Strasen. The reasons for the dispute are somewhat vague, though it seems to have been more a matter of personalities than of theology. Although a reconciliation was attempted, Pastor Strasen on February 10, 1929 resigned and with a small number of followers formed St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. In April 1929, Edgar Hoenecke was called as pastor of St. Peter's. The split continued for two years, then in 1931 when it was announced that St. Matthew's might join the Missouri Synod, the congregation of St. Peter's, under the leadership of Pastor Hoenecke petitioned the presidents of both the Wisconsin and Missouri Synods of the Lutheran Church to work to settle the dispute. Reconciliation of the two congregations was effected November 5, 1931 with the passing of a resolution that followed a meeting between former pastor Strasen and members of St. Peter's.
Under Hoenecke's leadership the Christian Day School was built, dedicated and opened on September 7, 1947. A new church (referred to in the finding aid as "New Church") was erected. The cornerstone was laid October 31, 1954 and the New Church was dedicated on September 11, 1955. A new parsonage was constructed and ready for use on December 2, 1956. Additions to the Christian Day School were formally completed with a dedication service on December 7, 1975 under the guidance of Pastor Leonard Koeninger.
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 125th anniversary on March 8, 1981. It continues to be an active and thriving congregation.
