Photos of Muttonville, Our church can be seen twice, in wood and in brick    [Photos courtesy of RichmondHistory.org][Thank you Ladies "Heidi & Michele" for letting me know about this website]

Historical Sketch of St. Peter’s Congregation  [Courtesy of Tina K.]

1854- A group of German immigrants settle in Lenox Twp and begin services in homes and later in the district school house.  First pastor to serve them is Rev. F. Rauschert of Waldenburg.

1854-1872 – Unionistic and liberal-minded preachers settled into the congregation.  Unevangelical church practices and Rationalistic teachings were introduced, many members were unhappy and some left.

1863 - First church built, turned into the school in 1875 and torn down in 1949.

1872 - Rev. Boehling of Waldenburg was contacted to preach and supply them with a Lutheran pastor. 

1872 - July 28. Rev. F. Arendt was installed, and so begins the history of Ev. Luth. St. Petrus Gemeinde UAC.  He re-introduced Lutheran hymnals and began keeping church records.  He took a call to Fraser 3 months later.

1872 - August 20.  The Constitution was signed and the congregation organized.

1873 - March.  Rev C. Lohrmann was installed as pastor.  This same year he started and taught the school which is still in session today.

1875 - The second church is built for a cost of $2775.00.  The cornerstone was laid May 11 and the building dedicated August 31. 

1877 - The debt for the new church was paid off.1884 - First daughter congregation formed, St. John’s in New Haven.1888 - First teacher called, Mr. F. Prange of the Teacher’s Seminary at Addison, Ill.

1889 - January.  After 16 years, Rev. Lohrmann takes a call to Eden Valley, NY.  He remained until his successor came.

1889 - January 20.  Rev. Christ Merkel was installed.1889 - October.  Two church bells were purchased, which still call us to worship today.

1891 - March.  Rev. Merkel received a call to Philadelphia and leaves.

1892 - June 14.  Rev. J.L. Hahn of Sebewaing was installed as pastor.

1893 - Student George Hilpert serves as supply teacher on the resignation of Teacher Prange.  For the fall, a call was extended to Teacher Wm. Hahn, son of the pastor.

1897 - Teacher G. Burger accepted the call to teach on the resignation of Teacher W. Hahn.

1897 - A pipe organ was purchased for the church.1901 - Student Hofius taught school.

1901 - September.  Teacher Lorenz Daenzer came and remained for 2 years.

1903 - October 25.  Teacher John A. Hahn accepted the call and was installed.  He took another call to Jackson in

1907.1909 - Student Seils taught school.

1910 – Ladies’ Aid formed.

1910 - April.  Rev. Hahn, after 47 and one-half years in the ministry, 18 of them at St. Peter’s, asked the congregation to accept his resignation.  He was asked to remain until a successor came.

1910 - July 31.  Rev. M. P. Wichmann of Freedom, MN, who had accepted the call extended to him, was installed as pastor of our congregation.

1911 - A teacher’s house was built and Prof. G. Ritzmann was called as teacher.

1913 - The school was remodeled.

1914 - Extensive remodeling was done on the church.  A full basement was constructed under the church, a furnace and electric lights were installed.

1914 - November 29.  Re-dedication services were held after the remodeling.  Guest preachers included Rev. Torney of New Haven, Rev. Kurth of Port Huron, and Rev. J.L. Hahn of Detroit and Rev. C. Lohrmann of Meta, MO, the latter two formerly of St. Peter’s.

1915 - April.  Prof. Ritzmann requested a peaceful dismissal due to ill health.  It was granted.

1915 - July. Teacher John A. Hahn received and accepted the call to return to teach. 

1922 - August 20.  The 50th Anniversary of the organization of the congregation was celebrated.  Guest preachers were Rev. Bublitz of New Haven and Rev. C. Lohrmann, former pastor.

1923-24 - A new parsonage was built at a cost of $7600.1925 - The Messenger of St. Peter’s - Der Bote des ev. lutherische St. Petrus – the German-English newsletter is begun by Rev. Wichmann.

1926 - November 23.  Rev. Wichmann was called to his eternal rest during the night of the 22nd-23rd after 16 years at St. Peter’s.  His final sermon on the 21st, the last Sunday of the church year, was based on 1 Thess 5:1-11 and spoke of always being prepared to die. 

1927 - April 11.  Rev. William Junke of Hadley, MI, was installed as Rev. by Rev. Bublitz. 

1927 - St. Paul’s Congregation in Columbus disbanded due to decreased membership.  The 3 remaining families became members, and the property was taken over by St. Peter’s.

1929 - A basement was added to the teacher’s house.

1932 - The 60th Anniversary of the congregation was celebrated.  In there we read, Rev. C. Lohrmann, who served our congregation in the early years is still living in Bay City, a retired veteran of the Cross 86 years old.

1935 - September 19.  The Rev. C. Lohrmann was called to his eternal rest in Bay City.  Rev. Junke attended his funeral and spoke on behalf of St. Peter’s Congregation.

1937 - The need for a new church and school was recognized, and planning was begun.1938 - Sunday School was started.

1944 - The Men’s Club (L.L.L.) was formed.

1944 - After 17 years, Rev. Junke tendered his resignation due to failing health.   His last sermon was May 7th.

1944 - May 14.  Rev. Albert Knoll of Nunica, MI was installed after receiving 2 calls from St. Peter’s.

1947 - July.  Vacation Bible School was held at Richmond High School.  151 were enrolled.

1947 - July 19.  Teacher John A. Hahn, after 45 years of teaching, 36 years spent at St. Peter’s, requested his release for retirement.  He was also the organist during this time.

1947 - Paul Stohlmann of Aurora, Ill was called and installed as principal and teacher.

1948 - October 24.  The cornerstone was laid for the current church.

1949 - The old church and school were torn down once the new church was usable.  Church services were held in the basement.

1950 - June 11.  The dedication services were held for the new church.  The windows were not ready and so were dedicated later, and the choir loft window was then named the JA Hahn memorial window, in memory of Teacher Hahn who died in

1949.1951 - German services were discontinued.

1955 - Mr. Eldnor Bittner was installed as principal.

1957 - The Charles Stoecker house and property along 31 Mile became available and was sold to the congregation.  The house was used as a teacher residence.

1957 - Mr. Albert Dede was installed as principal.

1965 - Mr. Delbert Krueger was installed as principal.

1966 - After 22 years, Rev. Knoll accepted a call to Trinity in St. Joseph, MI.

1966 - June 5.  Rev. Robert Jahn of Sterling, Ill. was installed as pastor.

1966 - June.  The mortgage for the new church was burned.

1969 - Mr. Kenneth Precht was installed as principal.

1972 - The 100th Anniversary of St. Peter’s was celebrated.  Attending were Rev. Wilfred Junke (son of Rev. William Junke) of Mt. Clemens and Rev. Albert Knoll of St. Joseph.

1973 - Mr. Marlin Brutlag was installed as principal.

1974 - St. Peter’s joined the Lutheran High School Association.

1975 - The need for more space was felt and a new school addition was begun.

1980 - August.  After 14 years, Rev. Robert Jahn accepted a call to Sylvania, OH. 

1981 - March 15.  Rev. Gerhardt Doroh was installed as pastor. 

1983 - The parsonage and property on the south side of 31 Mile Road was sold.

1983 - November 28.  Women received the right to become voting members.

1984 - The need for an assistant pastor was felt, and on July 15th, Rev. Steven Helms was ordained and installed by Rev. Marion Pierson, circuit counselor.

1987 - Mr. Wyatt Schultz was called and installed as principal after Mr. Brutlag asked to step down as principal.  Mr. Brutlag remained as teacher until his retirement in 1996. 

1989 - The front of the church was changed and the handicapped entrance put in. 1992 - Rev. Steven Helms accepted a call to Mt. Olive Lutheran in Grand Rapids.

1993 - Mrs. Amy Werderman took the position of principal after Mr. Wyatt Schultz left.

1993 - September 26.  Rev. Randy Lett was installed as associate pastor.

1995 - The third daughter congregation, St. Andrew’s in Memphis, was begun.

1997 - The 125th Anniversary was celebrated by the congregation. 

2000 - Mr. Henry Pahlkotter accepted the call as principal.

2002 - The cornerstone was laid for the 2nd school addition.

2003 - The new addition was dedicated.

2005 - Mr. George Kovtun accepts the position of principal after Mr. Pahlkotter takes a call to Flint.

2006 - Pastor Doroh’s 35th year in the ministry was celebrated, 25 of those years at St. Peter’s.