Vintage Greenview....Against Today's World

Old Tyme G'View Was Hot and .... Now Too
When I look at all of this history books, Greenview of old was a ripping town.  It had lots of businesses, was self-sufficient and was considered a "hot town".  In today's world, this old town is still a "hot town" by all means.....but today it's because it's so dang "heat hot" here, it makes a person want to stay indoors all day.  It's not even 9 am and it's 85 degrees, with 70% humidity, a dewpoint of 75 (yikes!) and feels like 95 degrees.  The air is heavy with humidity and those with breathing problems, you definitely need to stay indoors.  It's supposed to reach 95 degrees later today.  That will be torture.  And my electric meter will be spinning a zillion miles per hour today.  Oh well....this is called spending your children's inheritance!

This old "hot town" seems hotter than it used to be when I was a kid.....maybe it's been too many years for me to remember.  But I know that we didn't have air conditioners for years and we survived.  I just couldn't do that now.  Spoiled rotten I guess.  So anyway, if you live in this area, stay cool and collected.  Don't do strenuous things outside..... and if you have to be outside,  be careful of heatstroke....drink gatorade or powerade to help replenish the electrolytes.

St. John's Church 50 Year History Continued.

The Re. Th. Krueger came to serve the Greenview-Petersburg Charges in October, 1906. Diligently he labored to build two strong churches, introducing into St. John's the English language for the Sunday School. In 1910 the two congregations were separated and Rev. Krueger continued to serve at Petersburg, while the Rev. C. Fritsch came to Greenview as pastor on September 1, 1910. Because of the need of a parsonage for their first full-time minister, in January, 1911, St. John's purchased the present parsonage site for a sum of $2050.00. The Parsonage building committee was composed of John Behrends, Garrett Deverman, Richard Ever, Carl Weidhuner, and Oltman Wilken. Rev. Fritsch suddenly terminated his work with us and on May 1, 1911, the Rev. R. Mernitz moved to Greenview.
In October of that year the new parsonage was dedicated and now with a minister to lead them continuously St. John's made rapid and joyful progress. Under Rev. Mernitz's leadership the Sunday School was completely reorganized and departmentalized. On Nov. 6, 1913, the Ladies Aid, now the Women's Union, was organized with eight charter members. This organization is to this day the strongest and most faithful organization of the church, making many valuable contributions to the spiritual and financial welfare of the congregation.

The Rev. Benjamin Buehler began his ministry at St. John's on November 6, 1914 and under difficult conditions lead the church safely through the war years. It was at this time that the first English confirmation class was instructed. In 1915 the high tower on the church was struck by lightning and was subsequently removed to the present level and further repairs were made to the church. A water system was installed in the parsonage and other general repairs were made.

Upon the reignation of Rev. Buehler in April, 1919, the Rev. B. Freese was called and he moved to Greenview on February 1, 1920. During the interim students of Eden Seminary conducted the services. Soon after the arrival of Rev. Freese it became evident that the feeling was developing that something would have to be done about the church building. Repairs were made to the art glass windows and other repairs were made, but still the structure seemed inadequate to the needs of the growing congregation and a decision was reached that a building fund be created. With the presence of more young people, it was also decided that the German and English services should be equally divided and that additional Evangelical Hymnals be purchased.
As a sign of the spiritual as well as of the numerical growth of the congregation, special emphasis was placed upon the payment of St. John's quota to the Synodical Budget.

The local pastorate of Rev. Freese was brought to a close on March 1, 1924 and on July 1, 1924, the Rev. George Hildebrand began his ministry. To meet changing conditions a new constitution was adopted. It being the one that guides us today. The name of the congregation, hitherto known as the German Evangelical Lutheran Church and as the Greenview Evangelical Church, was changed to our present name the St. John's Evangelical Church of Greenview, Illinois.
In 1929 it was decided that a new church ediface should be erected within the next ten years and contributions to the building fund were encouraged.

Re. Hildebrand left St. John's on Nov. 7, 1931 and the Rev. Theo. Hoefer was called; he beginning his pastorate in January, 1932. A statement from the church minutes will well state the existing conditions: "All monies are now in our closed bank." Trying times indeed, and Rev. Hoefer sought another charge, leaving St. John's in October, 1932.

After a period of almost a year, during which time St. John's was again served by student pastors, and by Rev. F. Schnathorst of St. Paul's Petersburg, who rendered much faithful service, the Rev. C. J. Beehler was called. As economic conditions improved, the resolution was adopted that our church building should be remodeled and repainted. To meet the needs of the growing congregation, and especially of the Sunday School, after due consideration it was decided that our church building be turned and a basement built. The building committee was composed of Mrs. Anna Wilken, Mrs. Gertie Wilhelm, John Behrens, and Karl Deverman. The contract was let to A. H. Stamm of Peoria and Ralph Lockhart of Greenview for a sum of $2365.00. The entire church was subsequently remodeled and redecorated to the beautiful edifice we have today.

At this same time a sum of $200.00 was given to the Bensenville Orphanage and Old People's Home and as further evidence of the fine spirit of St. John's congregation, the Sunday School continued to grow and an increase was felt in the spiritual life of the people, as evidenced by the larger numbers participating in the services and activities, especially in the attendace at Holy Communion.

As the motto of our Anniversary Year is again repeated, "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go unto the House of the Lord," in faith we feel it is evidence of the spirit of St. John's congregation. May the Lord bless us and keep us as we work together for His Kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven.

Note:  There are a few more paragraphs in the 50th anniversary document which I will post tomorrow.  This old church was a nice church and I remember singing solos in the St. John's church at Easter Sunrise services.  Its doors were open to anyone who wished to come in and sit a while.  I was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was proud when the St. John's church combined with our church.  And I was so saddened to see it demolished to make room for the minister's manse.  The manse, which was built for the minister,  has since been sold to a Greenviewanite.

Old Tyme Marbold Check
Sorry this image isn't the best in the world....this was in a pdf file and I simply took a picture ..... because I couldn't get this computer to let me save the picture from a pdf file.  I love the old train on the check.  This was written in 1878.



Events

Not a whole lot going on in the big city of Greenview these days.  But, do remember that the Menard County Jaycees are holding a Diaper Drive....to raise money for diapers, wipes, formula, etc. for babies in the county.  Containers at Casey's Convenience Stores.  The proceeds will be divided between the county towns.  Or, better yet, I know for a fact that Greenview Food Pantry would love for you to make a donation or drop of a bag or diapers, wipes, formula, etc......these items don't often get distributed to the Greenview Food Pantry.  Find it in your heart to help the community protect its citizens.  Babies go through at least 10 to 12 diapers a day when they are little bitty.  Call Sharon in the mornings at the CIA building, to offer a donation of money.....and tell her it is intended to be spent on diapers, wipes, etc.....call 217-968-5323.

 

What's To Eat At Our House Tonight

Tonight it's pork chops again.  Hit each chop a few times with a meat mallet/tenderizer utensil.  Then flour, salt and pepper and brown lightly in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  I use an electric skillet to cook these to help reduce the heat in the house.   After browning, mix a couple of packages of chicken gravy (from dollar general) or brown gravy with water specified on the package and cover the chops.  Cover with a lid and slowly cook on simmer for about 45 - 60 minutes.  Mashed potatoes and corn on the cob are also on the menu.  And cookies made from a carrot cake mix....recipe below.

 

Carrot Cake Mix Cookies

1 (18.25 oz) carrot cake mix
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1/2 - 3/4 cup chopped nuts

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly spray cookie sheets.  Mix all ingredients with a mixer on medium speed .... about 1 to 2 minutes.   Drop the dough by teaspoonsful 2 inches apart on the cookie sheets.  Bake for 10 to 14 minutes.  Ovens vary so maybe take off a cookie and break into 2 parts to see if it's done.  Cool the cookies on the cookie sheet for 1 to 2 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack or a sheet of newspaper.    Frost with cream cheese frosting if desired or leave plain.  Can add 1/2 cup of shredded carrot or shredded coconut if you like.

Stupid Things

Monday mornings can be more enjoyable if you're laughing at things or at someone else....or at least the things people say.  Here's a couple of things to start off your Monday morning.

   

Maybe this should be the new universal restroom sign.

 

A person asks if they can borrow a kleenex....that is stupid.....if someone borrows a kleenex from me I definitely don't want it back....!!

 

If someone says "almost exactly the same".  What??? How can something be almost exactly???

Thought For The Day 

Be happy for this moment.

This moment is your life.

--Omar Khayyam





Sometimes you only have one chance if life to win the lottery, get better from a disease, find a hundred dollar bill on the floor or even be able to sing a song before 100 people.  I say anytime you get a chance to do something wonderful....or find something, seize the moment and take the chance and live it up.  Tomorrow is yet to come....it may be wonderful, but it could be horrible....so today, enjoy the day...it's a gift...which we call the present.  Later my friends.

Shirley Temple from 1937 saying hello from Greenview.