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Introductory Notes:
Church records are an important source for genealogists and local and family historians seeking documented facts about their ancestors. Not only can church records, when found, yield proof of dates and events such as births, baptisms, and deaths--they can also tell us much about the values held and spiritual lives led by our ancestors and those with whom they associated within their church. Among the great shocks encountered by some of the German immigrants who arrived in the U.S. was the realization that there was no state-sponsored church here as there was in their Old World homeland. If they were to continue their religious practices and traditions within a church, the complete support of that church usually fell to them, as individuals, as it never had before. This responsibility often included, especially in the early "pioneer" years, the costly goal of building a meeting place and paying the salary of a permanent resident pastor. Often at great personal sacrifice (including sometimes the mortgaging of their own modest homes to pay for the construction of the church) were these goals achieved. With this in mind the historical descriptions of the German churches which so carefully include the cost of the church building are not so much a boast of material affluence as they are the simple acknowledgement of real achievement of faith and sacrifice in action. Father Adelbert Inama, a Tyrolean native and first pastor of the first Catholic church parish founded in Syracuse (St. Mary's of the Assumption, founded in the 1840's, the forerunner of today's Assumption Catholic Church), wrote: "You cannot imagine what unconditional obedience and unlimited confidence the good-hearted Germans give me...people who have not been in a Catholic church since they came to America, 12 or more years ago." As the German immigrants gathered into communities in Onondaga County, a major problem was the lack of priests and ministers to attend to their spiritual needs. Struggling to establish a church that would serve as the center of their social as well as their religious life, the early German pioneers had to be persistent in seeking religious leadership. Likewise the stories of dissention within the German congregations reflect not so much contentiousness in the German spirit as they do the great disparity between the German-speaking individuals who arrived in the U.S.--they came from many different parts of what today is lumped together as "Germany" and beyond. As Father Inama wrote, "The German Catholics here are not, like the Irish, peas from the same pod. But, in the same place, there will be people from Lorraine, Alsace, the Palatine, Baden, Prussia, Franconia, etc. It is difficult to bring so many heads under one roof." This observation proved to be true for Protestants as well as Catholics, and could be amplified by including the Swiss, the Tyroleans, and other German-speaking immigrants who felt an allegiance to their own distinct regions and religious practices. Thus, despite their common language, the German immigrants of Onondaga County often seemed as much foreigners to each other as they were to their English-speaking neighbors. They were doing their best to find common ground together in their religious lives, and given their disparate traditions and needs and the new freedom they found in America to determine their own religious lives, they exercised that freedom, sometimes with great zeal. The following (still incomplete) list of churches in the Syracuse area is included here because these churches had, at one time, a connection to the German community. Where available I have included links to further historical information, as well as partial extracts I took (unsystematically) from the Syracuse city directories between the years 1882-1935 (Syr.CD). I am updating this list whenever I receive new tidbits and factoids. Contributions and corrections from knowledgeable readers and researchers are gratefully welcomed—anything you think would fit in here and would help other researchers. Email me. See also the email messages from contributors at the bottom of this page. Unless otherwise noted below, general starting points for seeking church records are: Catholic: Between 1842 and 1893, ten Catholic churches were established in the Syracuse diocese area. Many old Syracuse Catholic Church records, if no longer at the churches, are now at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse Archives, 240 E. Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY 13201-0511, Telephone (315) 470-1493; Website: https://syracusediocese.org/offices/archives/. Evangelical Lutheran: Genealogy Help from the ELCA Archives, https://www.elca.org/About/History/Archives Evangelical Lutheran Church archives for upstate New York are held at the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119-1794, Telephone (215) 248-6383, https://www.lutheranarchives.org Other/General: Microfilmed church records may also be available at the Onondaga County Public Library, the Onondaga Historical Association, and at the various local family history centers and the Salt Lake City headquarters of the Genealogical Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons; website at http://www.familysearch.org/). |
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ASSUMPTION CHURCH/ CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION/ HIMMELFAHRTSKIRCHE (KATHOLISCHE) Originating as St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church (see below), this is the large Roman Catholic church administered by the Franciscan Fathers (still in operation today) that served the mostly-German community of Syracuse’s "North Side" circa 1870-1950. Its twin spires have been a landmark on North Salina Street since 1872 (the current building was erected in 1865 at the cost of $125,000). The first bishop of the diocese, Patrick A. Ludden, was consecrated here in 1887. Also administers the large Assumption Cemetery (Catholic). Church of the Assumption (Roman Catholic) - Excerpt from Onondaga’s Centennial, 1896 Excerpt from Geschichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, von 1840-1850, 1897 Church of Assumption [Catholic] organized 1843 [Syr.CD 1882-1883]. "Church of the Assumption – St. Mary’s, N. Salina nr Isabella. Org. 1843. Erected 1865. Brick, cost $140,000; seats 2,000. Franciscan Fathers in charge." [page 1001, Syr.CD 1898]. Roman Catholic: Church of the Assumption - 814 N. Salina. Rector, Bernard Schweitzer; S.S. Supt., the Rector; Sexton, Andrew Korthas. [page 29, Syr.CD 1906]. See also Historical Sketch of the Parish…1845-1945, by Church of the Assumption, 86 pp. LN48 Sy8C5caa DYNIX#218061, at the Onondaga County Public Library: http://www.onlib.org/web/lh/index.htm Photos/Views Former Locations: Present Location: 812 North Salina St., Syracuse, NY Parish Center phone: (315) 472-1564 Assumption Cemetery: 2401 Court St., Syracuse, NY 13208; (315) 454-3841 For records: Write or call the Parish Center; enclose a donation and self-addressed stamped envelope. And here are two tidbits of info passed on to me: "Church of the Assumption baptisms celebrated between 1844 and 1860 are also now fully indexed in the December, 2006 issue of the Central New York Genealogical Society's journal, "Tree Talks" (160 pages, over 2,000 baptisms, primarily of Germans, but including some Irish and French baptisms from Syracuse and the surrounding area as well). The typical entry in this index contains the date of the baptism at Assumption Church, the name of the baptized person, the parents, the sponsors and the officiating priest, but often also includes birth date and residency or place of origin. Original spellings and diacritical marks have been meticulously transcribed by Mr. F. Richard Barr. Send a $25.00 check or money order payable to the Central New York Genealogical Society to: CNYGS - Publications, P.O. Box 104, Colvin Station, Syracuse, NY 13205." "Church of the Assumption marriages celebrated between 1844 and 1864 are also now fully indexed in the December, 2007 issue of the Central New York Genealogical Society's journal, "Tree Talks" (72 pages, nearly 800 marriages, primarily of Germans, but including some Irish and French marriages from Syracuse and the surrounding area as well). The typical entry in this index contains the date of the marriage at Assumption Church, the names of the bride and groom, the parents, the witnesses and the officiating priest, but often also includes ages and residency or place of origin. Original spellings and diacritical marks have been meticulously transcribed by Mr. F. Richard Barr. Send a $15.00 check or money order payable to the Central New York Genealogical Society to: CNYGS - Publications, P.O. Box 104, Colvin Station, Syracuse, NY 13205." See also: Assumption Cemetery. ATONEMENT LUTHERAN CHURCH/ THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE ATONEMENT This church has served the South Side of the City of Syracuse (including those of German heritage) since 1904. The congregation first gathered in a private home until its first pastor, the Rev. Edwin Tucker, was called and property was purchased on Brighton Avenue. Since then the church has built three buildings requiring two relocations and is currently located off South Salina Street. Pastor John M. Joslyn and his son, Pastor Paul Joslyn, presided over family marriages, funerals, and confirmations during their successive pastorates from 1923-1968. The Atonement Lutheran Church website: https://www.facebook.com/alcsyracuse Evangelical Lutheran Churches listed: Lutheran Church of the Atonement [Syr.CD 1910]. Former Location: Brighton Ave., Syracuse Present Location: 116 W. Glen Ave., Syracuse, NY 13205; telephone (315) 492-9065. For records: contact the church EPISCOPAL-METHODIST CHURCH (GERMAN)/ BISCHOEFLICHE METHODISTEN-KIRCHE Organized in Syracuse in 1891. Excerpt from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1880-1896, 1897 Former Locations: Butternut Street, Syracuse Present Location: For records write to: EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER Organized in 1892. It joined with Mt. Tabor to become the Evangelical Church of the Resurrection in 1956. Evangelical Church of the Redeemer - Excerpt from Onondaga’s Centennial, 1896 https://www.ststephensyracuse.org/about-us/history/ - Brief history, from St. Stephen Lutheran Church's website Evang. Luth. Church of the Redeemer, 713 Catharine. [page 27, Syr.CD 1906]. [Also listed in 1910]. Lutheran churches: Evangelical Lutheran Church of The Redeemer - 713 Catherine. Pastor, Uriah J. Klingensmith; Sec., E. Taylor; Treas., C. Kreischer. [page 28, Syr.CD 1912]. Former Location: 713 Catharine St., Syracuse, NY; moved to 876 Dewitt Street, Syracuse 1929-1956 Present Location: Congregation merged; building at 873-876 Dewitt Street, Syracuse, NY For records write to: The parish records for this congregation are on microfilm at the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119-1794 https://www.lutheranarchives.org/ EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION Organized in 1956 from the combined Mt. Tabor and Redeemer congregations. In 1979 it joined with St. John's to become St. Stephen Lutheran Church (still active). From the history page of the website of present-day St. Stephen Lutheran Church, https://www.ststephensyracuse.org/about-us/history/. Former Location: 873-876 Dewitt St., Syracuse, NY (present-day location of St. Stephen Lutheran Church) For records write to: The parish records for this congregation are on microfilm at the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119-1794 https://www.lutheranarchives.org/. EVANGELISCHEN GEMEINSCHAFT of Salina/Liverpool First Protestant German church congregation in Liverpool, incorporated 27 February 1849 (started as a mission by Salem's Church in Syracuse). Excerpt from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Nachtrag, 1897 Salem Church of the Evangelical Association of North America, Town of Salina - Excerpt from History of Onondaga County, by Prof. W. W. Clayton, 1878 Former Location: Present Location: For records write to: FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH Society organized in 1879. First Lutheran church in the city to hold services in the English language (rather than German). Many members from St. Peter's were among First Lutheran's early congregation. First English Lutheran Church - Excerpt from Onondaga’s Centennial, 1896 Evangelical Lutheran Churches listed: First English Lutheran [Syr.CD 1910]. Former Location: Present Location: James Street, Syracuse For records: FIRST GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH Organized on 28 June 1877 with 30 members, this church was an outgrowth of the German Mission of the First Baptist Church of Syracuse. First German Baptist Church - Excerpt from Onondaga’s Centennial, 1896 Excerpt from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1870-1880, 1897 Former Location: Catharine St., Syracuse; chapel on Lodi St. near Ash Present Location: For records write to: FIRST WARD GERMAN CHURCH/ FIRST EVANGELICAL CHURCH 1844-1960’s. First Ward German Church, a/k/a First Evangelical Church - See Albert J. Flint’s submission of 100th Anniversary memorial booklet. Former Location: 823 Park St., Syracuse Present Location: None For records write to: Unknown/lost FRIEDENS CHURCH GERMAN EVANGELICAL FRIEDENS CHURCH (LUTHERAN) DEUTSCHEN EVANGELISCHEN FRIEDENS KIRCHE FRIEDENS EVANGELICAL AND REFORMED LUTHERAN CHURCH FRIEDENS EVANGELICAL AND REFORMED CHURCH OF CHRIST FRIEDENS UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST This church was founded January 1, 1900 by the former pastor, Rev. Johannes Schaefer, and 119 members of St. Peter’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church. Rev. Schaefer had been pastor at St. Peter's for 16 years, but had instituted changes, including the abolition of the sale of beer at church picnics and entertainments, which resulted in his being dismissed by the majority pro-beer faction. The dissenters started their own new church ("Friedens" is German for "Peace"), which met in Syracuse buildings for about a year. A lot at the corner of Lodi and Ash Streets was secured in March 1900 and the Friedens church building was constructed in 1901, with plans drawn up by renowned Syracuse architect Archimedes Russell. The cornerstone was laid July 7, 1901 and the building was rapidly completed. The church was dedicated November 17, 1901, the organ was installed in 1904, and the two bells were installed and dedicated in September 1907. Rev. Schaefer injured his foot in 1910 and contracted blood poisoning which led to his resignation from the congregation in 1911. He installed his successor, Rev. William F. Bauer, on the evening of his farewell sermon in November 1911. Rev. Bauer served the congregation as pastor until 1942, followed by Rev. Warner H. Siebert (1942-1949), Rev. Ralph L. Rebman (1949-1960), Rev. John Perl (1960-1968), Rev. Charles L. Briem (1968- ), and Rev. Virginia Anderson (part-time, c. 2000-2011). Services at the church were originally conducted in the German language. English services of worship were introduced in 1913, and in 1924 English became the offical language at the 10 o'clock Sunday service, with a German service conducted at 11 a.m. By 1937 the transition to English services was complete, although on one Sunday each month a German service was offered for the benefit of the old-time German members. In 1934 Friedens became a member of the Evangelical and Reformed Church when the Evangelical Synod of North America and the German Reformed Church of the United States joined together. In 1970 the church became Friedens United Church of Christ. [For more information, see 75th anniversary: People and Progress, 1900-1975 by Friedens United Church of Christ (Syracuse, N.Y., 1975; 132 pages), held at the Onondaga County Public Library Local History Department in downtown Syracuse.] Friedens Church [Lutheran]– Ash c. Lodi. Org. Jan., 1900. Rev. Johannes Schaefer, pastor. [p. 79, Syr.CD 1900]. German Evangelical Friedens Church – Ash c. Lodi, erected 1901, cost $15,000. Pastor, Johannes Schaeffer, settled in 1884; S.S. Supt. [Sunday School Superintendent], the pastor. [page 45, Syr.CD 1901]. German Evangelical Friedens Church – Ash cor. Lodi, erected 1900, cost $16,000; Pastor, Johannes Schaefer, settled in 1884; S.S. Supt., the Pastor; Sexton, Peter Gronau. [page 44, Syr.CD 1903]. German Evangelical Friedens Church - 415 Ash cor. Lodi… [page 27, Syr.CD 1906]. Closed 2011. Photos A list of members and/or friends of Friedens Church who died 1900-1924 Former Location: 415 Ash at the corner of Lodi, Syracuse, NY Present Location: Building is there, congregation has dissolved. For records write to: GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF KIRKVILLE Seeking more information on this church. EARLY HISTORY OF MINOA'S METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, including mention of the German Evangelical Church (of Kirkville?): http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyononda/CHURCH/METHEPMI.HTM Former Location: Present Location: For records write to: GERMAN PROTESTANT CHURCH OF LIVERPOOL Incorporated 24 February 1857 after a split from St. Paul's Church of Salina; this congregation was short-lived and soon rejoined St. Paul's. Excerpt from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Nachtrag, 1897 Former Location: Present Location: For records write to: HOLY TRINITY CHURCH (CATHOLIC)/ DREIFALTIGKEITS-KIRCHE (KATHOLISCHE) Third German Catholic parish in Syracuse, organized in 1890; Park Street, on the former picnic ground and park known as Fiddler's Green. Excerpt from Geschichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, von 1880-1896, 1897 Excerpt from History of the Diocese of Syracuse, submitted by Michael Hallatt Photos and postcard views Former Location: 501 Park Street, Syracuse, NY The last mass was held at Holy Trinity Church on 14 February 2010. This church has now merged with St. John the Baptist Church at 406 Court Street, Syracuse. For records write to: the church or the Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, 240 E. Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY 13201-0511, Telephone (315)470-1493. 2015 Update: Holy Trinity Church is now a mosque. IMMANUEL'S CHURCH OF THE TOWN OF CLAY First church in Onondaga County established by a congregation of Germans; oldest Lutheran congregation in Onondaga County; oldest congregation in what is today known as Clay. First worship meetings in 1823. First church building erected 1831-1832; congregation incorporated 9 November 1833. Present church building erected in 1916 in Clay, on Route 31, between Baldwinsville and Bridgeport, NY. Excerpt from Geschichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Nachtrag, 1897 Photos and more history Former Location: Dutch Settlement (about one mile north of Town of Clay, on VerPlank Road near Caughdenoy Road) Present Location: Immanuel Lutheran Church of Clay, 4947 State Route 31, Clay, NY 13041 Telephone: (315) 699-7268 For records: Contact the church MT. TABOR EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH/ TABOR-GEMEINDE (EVANGELISCH LUTHERISCHE) Formed by Pastor Alexander Oberländer, former pastor of Zion's Church, in 1893. In 1896 care of the congregation passed to his son, Fridolin E. Oberländer. Mt. Tabor later merged with Redeemer in 1956 to become Resurrection Lutheran Church, and later still Resurrection and St. John’s merged (1979) and today exists as St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. Excerpt from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1880-1896, 1897 Mt. Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church – 128 Spring. Rev. Fridolin E. Oberlander, pastor. Sunday School Supt., M. Strohmayer. [p. 79, Syr.CD 1900]. Mt. Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church – 1010 Butternut, erected 1901, cost $20,000. Pastor, Fridolin E. Oberlander; S.S. Supt., the pastor; sexton, J. George Knobel. [page 45, Syr.CD 1901]. Mt. Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church - 212 Butternut, erected 1868, cost $25,000. Pastor, Fridolin E. Oberlander; S.S. Supt., the pastor; Sexton, J. George Knobel. [page 44, Syr.CD 1903]. Mt. Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church - 1010 Butternut [page 28, Syr.CD 1906]. Evangelical Lutheran Churches listed: Mt. Tabor [Syr.CD 1910]. Mt. Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church - 1008-1012 Butternut. Pastor, W.L. Scheding. [page 44, Syr.CD 1928] German Evangelical Lutheran Protestant Tabor Orphan Home [Syr.CD 1887-1888]. See Excerpt from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1880-1896, 1897 Obituary of Pastor W.L. Scheding Former Locations: 128 Spring St. (near Butternut); 1008-1012 Butternut St., Syracuse, NY Present Location: For records write to: Some records for Mt. Tabor are held by the Onondaga County Public Library: http://www.onlib.org/web/lh/index.htm. The parish records for this congregation are also on microfilm at the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119-1794 https://www.lutheranarchives.org/. REDEEMER - See EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER RESURRECTION - See EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION ST. CECILIA'S CHURCH, SOLVAY (ROMAN CATHOLIC) 1001 Woods Rd Solvay, NY 13209-1544 Parish Office: (315) 488-3221 The Parishes of Our Lady of Peace (Lakeland) and St. Cecilia merged to form the St. Marianne Cope Parish with two worship sites. Parish Office at 105 Stanton Ave., Solvay, NY 13209. Website: https://discovermass.com/church/st-cecilias-solvay-ny/ According to Rita Cominolli's book, Smokestacks Allegro (1990), the Village of Solvay prior to 1903 was considered part of an Irish parish, Saint Patrick's of Syracuse. The cornerstone of Saint Cecilia's church was laid in the spring of 1905 at the corner of Woods Road and Second Street on land donated by the Solvay Process Company. The Gothic-style red brick and limestone building was dedicated 2 December 1906 by Bishop Patrick A. Ludden. Rev. O'Shea was its first pastor, followed by Rev. James P. McGraw, another Irishman, in 1914. Marriage records from Saint Cecilia's (1903-1940) reflect a turnover of the community from Irish to Tyroleans/Trentini. As the Tyroleans (both German-speaking and Italian-speaking) moved into Solvay to find work at the Solvay Process Company's plant, the Irish tended to move out, relocating primarily to West Syracuse (Tipperary Hill). According to Cominolli, Irish surnames dominate the St. Cecilia records until 1913, and then in 1914 Tyrolean names (Tarolli, Armani) begin to appear. "Between 1916 and 1919, the records contain fairly equal numbers of Tyroleans and Irish, who were by then intermarrying. After 1921, Tyrolean and Southern Italian names far outnumber Irish names." Contact the church/parish for more information. ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (GERMAN) First German Protestant congregation in Syracuse, began meeting in 1838 at the First English Presbyterian Church. Incorporated 1 January 1840 with 40 families. Dissention within the congregation resulted in families leaving to form St. Peter’s Evangelical Church (in the fall of 1843), the Evangelical Lutheran Zion’s Church (in 1863), and St. Mark’s church (1885). In 1945 the congregation of St. Peter's church rejoined St. John's (and was known as St. John's and St. Peter's Lutheran Church). In 1965 the Evangelical Lutheran Zion's Church rejoined St. John's and St. Peter's and the church was then known as St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1979 St. John's and Resurrection combined to become St. Stephen Lutheran Church, still active today. Excerpt from Onondaga’s Centennial, 1896 Excerpts from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1840-1850 and Von 1860-1870, 1897 A brief history of St. John's from the St. Stephen Lutheran Church website St. John’s Lutheran Church - Union St. cor. Butternut [Syr.CD 1882-1883]. Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John - 418 Prospect av. cor. Butternut. [page 27, Syr.CD 1906]. [Also listed in 1910]. Former Locations: S.E. corner Butternut & Prospect, Syracuse, NY Present Location: extinct For records write to: The parish records for this congregation are on microfilm at the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119-1794 https://www.lutheranarchives.org/. ST. JOSEPH’S GERMAN CHURCH (CATHOLIC) 1881-1962. Established by German-speaking immigrants on Syracuse’s south/west side, many of whom formerly worshipped at Assumption Church. By 1943 the parish priest said, "German in the Church name has lost all significance." When St. Joseph’s was closed in 1962 (due to proximity to other parishes), their records were transferred to St. Lucy’s (5th Ward) on Gifford St. St. Joseph’s (German) Church - submitted by Elizabeth Batcharie Kaufmann. Excerpt from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1880-1896, 1897 Former Locations: 500 block of Seymour St., Syracuse Present Location: extinct For records write to: St. Lucy's Catholic Church, 432 Gifford St., Syracuse, NY (315) 475-7273 ST. MARK’S/ EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. MARK’S CHURCH Dissention within the congregation of St. John’s caused this church to be organized with about 60 families in 1885. (Believed to have lasted for about ten years?) Evangelical Lutheran St. Mark’s Church - Excerpt from Onondaga’s Centennial, 1896 Excerpts from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1860-1870 and Von 1880-1896, 1897 "St. Mark’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church – Lock c. Burnet. Org. Jan. 1, 1895 [sic; 1885?]. Erected 1852. Brick, cost $20,000. Seats 600. Rev. E.G. Holz, pastor. Sunday School – Rev. E.G. Holz, Supt. Meets 9:15 a.m." [page 91, Syr.CD 1896]. No listings in 1898 and 1900 Syracuse City Directories. Former Locations: Corner of Lock and Burnet Streets, Syracuse; Butternut & Prospect Streets? Present Location: For records write to: ST. MARY’S OF THE ASSUMPTION GERMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, Town of Salina The forerunner of Assumption Church on North Salina Street (see above). First Mass said in 1845; Father Inama appointed first pastor. He wrote that the German Catholics "...were good-hearted, pius, God-fearing people, whose greatest sorrow lies in the fact that they have little opportunity to practice their religion or to have their children instructed." The church members were mostly from Lorraine, Alsace, Baden and Wurtenberg [sic], "...common people but excellent religiously...they are cheerful and like it here very well." Francis Baumer, a native of Bavaria, became schoolmaster at Assumption School in 1848. He was the founder of the religious wax candle company that still exists in Syracuse today (Will & Baumer). (See "Germans--Strong Spiritual Life" by Virginia Reichert Millert, The Catholic Sun, 26 November 1986.) St. Mary’s German Catholic Church, Town of Salina - Excerpt from Onondaga; or Reminiscences of Earlier and Later Times, Vol. II, 1849 Excerpt from Geschichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1840-1850, 1897 Former Locations: North Salina Street, Town of Salina Present Location: (Assumption Church) 812 North Salina St., Syracuse, NY Parish Center phone: (315) 472-1564 For records write to: ST. PAUL’S/ ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH German congregation incorporated in 1882 on Syracuse's southwest side (Ward 13) with church building erected the following year. Records cover period from 1882-1958 (year the congregation ended?). St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church - Excerpt from Onondaga’s Centennial, 1896 Excerpt from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1880-1896, 1897 See also The fortieth anniversary book of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Syracuse, New York, by Rev. F. C. Ellerman, 1922, 119 pp. LN48 Sy8C5Ls DYNIX#84328, at the Onondaga County Public Library: http://www.onlib.org/web/lh/index.htm St. Paul’s Evang. Luth. Ch. - Germ. Org. 1882 [Syr.CD 1882-1883]. St. Paul’s Evang. Luth. Church - German - Cor. Oswego and Shonard Streets. Org. 1882. Erected 1883. Is built of wood and cost $7,000; will seat about 300. [Syr.CD 1887-1888]. St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (German), Oswego, cor. Shonnard street. Org. 1882. Erected 1883. Is built of wood and cost $7,000; will seat about [300?]. Pastor Rev. George Merschroth. Deacons: Jacob Kreischer, Otto Koehler, Peter Braun,.… Librarian, Chas. Kies. [pages 118-119, Syr.CD 1891-1892]. "St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church - (German) Oswego, cor. Shonnard. Organized 1882. Erected 1883. Is built of wood and cost $7,000; will seat about 300. Rev. George Merschroth, Pastor; Philip Kies, Weard Van Lengen, John Keener, Elders; Jacob Kreischer, Otto Koehler, Peter Braun, Deacons; C. Schramm, E. Hurst and Louis Green, Trustees; Phil. Kies, Pres.; Otto Koehler, Sec.; W. Van Lengren, Treas.; Miss E. Guckert, Organist. The officers, Pres., Sec. and Treas., are elected annually in January. Sunday School – Rev. G. Merschroth, Supt.; John Wilhelm, Asst. Supt.; Wilhelm Bosack, Sec.; C. Schramm, Treas.; Geo. Boessing, Librarian; Fred Kies, Asst. Librarian. Meets 9:15 a.m." [page 115, Syr.CD 1892-1893]. St. Paul’s - J. Kreischer, O. Koehler, P. Braun, Deacons [page 126, Syr.CD1893-1894]. St. Paul’s - no elders or deacons or representatives listed [p. 112, Syr.CD 1895]. St. Paul’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church - Oswego c Shonnard. Organized 1883. Erected 1883. Wood, cost $7,000; seats 300. Rev. G. Merschroth, supt, meets 9:15 a.m. [page 79, Syr.CD 1900]. St. Paul’s German Evangelical Lutheran Church - Oswego cor. Shonnard [301 Shonnard], erected in 1882, cost $6,000. Pastor, George M. Merschroth, settled in 1885; S.S. Supt., the Pastor; Sexton William Reoffel. [page 44, Syr.CD 1903]. St. Paul’s German Evangelical Luth. Ch. - 301 Shonnard [page 28, Syr.CD 1906]. Evangelical Lutheran Churches listed: St. Paul’s German [Syr.CD 1910]. Photo of St. Paul's Church, 1883 St. Paul's Confirmation class of 1896 St. Paul's Confirmation class of 1899 Obituary of Rev. Georg Merschroth Former Locations: 301 Shonnard, corner of Oswego, Ward 13 (south-west side), Syracuse, NY Present Location: defunct For records write to: The original church record books (baptisms, marriages, confirmations, deaths, in two volumes, 1882-1913 and 1913-1958) are held by the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119-1794 https://www.lutheranarchives.org/. ST. PAUL’S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH of Salina A small congregation organized in 1852 (incorporated 31 January 1854) in the area that today is known as Liverpool. St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Town of Salina - Excerpt from History of Onondaga County, 1878 Excerpt from Geschichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Nachtrag, 1897 Former Locations: Vine and Third Streets, Salina, NY Present Location: Liverpool, NY 13088 For records write to: [Some of this church's German records are available on microfilm from the LDS Salt Lake Library/FHC, misleadingly labeled as being from St. Paul's, Syracuse.] ST. PETER’S/ ST. PETER’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH/ GERMAN EVANGELICAL ST. PETER’S CHURCH Three years after St. John’s congregation was formed, a dissenting group split off and formed St. Peter’s, incorporated in August 1843. Later other dissenters would split off from St. Peter’s. In 1860 a new church building was erected after the older one was burned in a fire. In 1880 the church was remodeled, with new towers and chimes installed. In the 1880’s St. Peter’s, then located at the corner of Butternut and Prospect Ave., boasted the largest Sunday School in the city, with a membership of over 500 pupils and fifty teachers. Pastor Karl F. (Charles Friedrich) Soldan served the church from 1860 to 1870. Pastor Emil Henckell served there from June 1874 to November 1883. In March 1884 Pastor Johannes Schafer began serving the congregation. He and 119 members of the congregation left in 1900 to form Friedens Church. In 1945 the congregation of St. Peter's church rejoined St. John's and was thereafter known as St. John's and St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Following various other mergers of congregations in 1965 and 1979, the church today is known as St. Stephen Lutheran Church. German Evangelical St. Peter's Church (Syracuse) - Excerpt from Onondaga’s Centennial, 1896 Excerpts (including list of pastors who served) from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1840-1850 and Von 1860-1870, 1897 A brief history of St. Peter's from the St. Stephen Lutheran Church website See also Centennial History of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Syracuse, 1843-1943, by Bertha M. Rothe, 39 pp. LN48 Sy8C5Lr DYNIX#84327, at the Onondaga County Public Library: http://www.onlib.org/web/lh/index.htm St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church - 301 Butternut, erected 1860, cost $65,000. Pastor, Carl Zinssmeister, settled in 1900; S.S. Supt., Charles Flachsland; Sexton, John Brehmer. [page 44, Syr.CD 1903]. St. Peter’s Evangelical Luth. Ch. - Butternut, cor. Prospect av. [page 28, Syr.CD 1906]. Evangelical Lutheran Churches listed: St. Peter’s [Syr.CD 1910]. An example of a baptismal certificate given by St. Peter’s Church in 1884, signed by Pastor Johannes Schaefer. Former Locations: N.W. corner Butternut & Prospect; later moved to "opposite" corner; 301 Butternut, corner of Prospect Ave., Syracuse, NY Present Location: For records write to: Some records (baptisms, marriages) for some years exist at the Onondaga County Public Library: http://www.onlib.org/web/lh/index.htm. The parish records for this congregation are also on microfilm at the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119-1794 https://www.lutheranarchives.org/collections. ST. STEPHEN LUTHERAN CHURCH The current-day successor church (organized in 1979) to the following historically German congregations in the Syracuse area: St. John's, St. Peter's, Zion, Mt. Tabor, Redeemer, and Resurrection. History of St. Stephen Lutheran Church from the Church's website Present Location: 873 Dewitt St., Syracuse, NY 13203-1003; Telephone (315) 479-9912 For records write to: The parish records for all of the former congregations are available on microfilm at the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119-1794 https://www.lutheranarchives.org/collections. SALEM'S CHURCH (EVANGELISCHE/EVANGELISCHEN GEMEINSCHAFT) (the "ROBBER CHURCH") Incorporated 9 September 1844, first meetings held in a home on Montgomery Street, Syracuse. First church built of wood on southeast corner of Cedar and Grape Streets, was moved by stealth ("robbed") by part of the congregation in 1850, relocated to Lock Street and East Belden Avenue. Next church built at corner of Laurel and Lock Streets in 1869, cost $25,000. "In 1856 the second congregation of the Evangelischen Gemeinschaft was created, but was not incorporated until 8 November 1859. The members of this congregation consisted of those who had opposed the relocation of the Salem Church and who had since been without a church. Their building is [1897] located at the corner of Grape and Jackson Streets." Excerpts from the 1897 book Geschichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1840-1850 and Von 1850-1860; photo (page 225) TABOR-GEMEINDE - See MT. TABOR TRINITY CHURCH - See HOLY TRINITY CHURCH WOODLAWN EVANGELIST CHURCH 1891-1896. Originally established by Germans on the Huntley Tract in Syracuse. Excerpt from Gechichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1880-1896, 1897 Former Locations: Huntley Tract, Syracuse Present Location: For records write to: ZION'S/ EVANGELISCHE ZIONS-KIRCHE 1847-1850. "The German Evangelist Zion’s Church was incorporated on 4 March 1847. Meetings were first held in the old No. 5 schoolhouse which stood on the corner of Lock Street obliquely across from the present-day St. John’s Academy. The first Trustees were: Georg König, Konrad Scheidemann and Philipp Drumm. Georg Saul was the first and only minister. They had sometime later a small wood chapel on Ash Street near Townsend. In 1850 the congregation dissolved itself and Pastor Saul opened a book and music agency in the Noxon Block on North Salina Street." Excerpt from Geschichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1840-1850, 1897 ZION’S/ THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ZION’S CHURCH Dissention within the congregation of St. John’s resulted in this church being organized in 1863. In 1965 it reunited with St. John's. Following other mergers of congregations the successor church today is St. Stephen Lutheran Church. The German Evangelical Lutheran Zion’s Church - Excerpt from Onondaga’s Centennial, 1896 Excerpt from Geschichte der Deutschen in Syracuse, Von 1860-1870, 1897 A brief history of Zion's from the St. Stephen Lutheran Church website Zion’s Evangelical Luth. Church - 212 Butternut [page 28, Syr.CD 1906]. Evangelical Lutheran Churches listed: Zion [Syr.CD 1910]. Former Locations: 212 Butternut, corner of Prospect, Syracuse, NY Present Location: For records write to: The parish records for this congregation are on microfilm at the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119-1794 https://www.lutheranarchives.org/collections. |