Did You Know? |

DID YOU KNOW? 1910-2010

That when Emmaus church and parsonage were built 100 years ago, a barn and hen-house were also built for the pastor’s cow, horses, and chickens? The barn was later moved to the Ray Buchholtz farm.
That there were a series of wooden sheds behind the church to shelter the members’ horses during services? This was especially important during inclement weather. The last shed was used for a refreshment stand during mission festivals until replaced with a new refreshment stand.
That the church used to have annual mission festivals in the grove behind the church? The morning service was followed by a chicken dinner in the church basement. The school board sold candy, potato chips, soda and ice cream cones for five cents each. A second service was held in the afternoon. Often the West Bloomfield band provided the music.
That the church originally had no electricity? That didn’t come until about 1936. A pump organ was used.
That the church originally had clear glass windows? Stained glass windows came in 1949.
That the church had clear glass window on each side of the altar? They were closed up in 1949.
That the church was originally heated with a large octopus wood/coal furnace with a large iron grate in the aisle? The basement was heated with a small wood burning space heater. The smoke often backed up into the school room when the wind was wrong.
That each family was expected to donate two cords of firewood to heat the church and the janitor had to fire up the furnace Saturday evening in cold weather so the church would be comfortable for Sunday morning?
That the church had no indoor plumbing until 1965 when the addition was added?
That the church once had a parochial school with the pastor serving as teacher? Classes only met three or four days a week.
That when the day school was discontinued it was replaced by Saturday school and six weeks of summer school?
That nearly all services were conducted in the German language until the mid-1930’s and that German services were still regularly held until about 1950?
That communion services were held only once every three months in the early years?
That the head of the household had to “announce” for communion by visiting the pastor on Friday or Thursday evening prior to communion Sunday?
That every communicant was expected to contribute to the cost of the wine and wafers by donating a dime or so in a special collection plate set up in the aisle on the way to the communion rail?
That the amount of everyone’s yearly donations was published in the annual report up until the 1960’s.
That members were not allowed to have wedding dances during Lent.
That the women and children sat on the left side of the church and the men and boys sat on the right side?
That the offering was taken with a wooden bowl with a long handle so the offering container did not have to be touched by the people?
That the real Christmas tree was decorated with wax candles with real fire?
That two Christmas trees one on each side were often put up?
That the Youth Group was previously known as the Walther League and before that as the Young Peoples’ Society?
That the church often had services on 2^nd Christmas Day?
That the Confirmants used to have a public examination during church services on the Sunday before confirmation?
That women originally did not have the right to vote at church meetings or hold any office?
That a light fixture in the church basement came crashing down during a church council meeting a few years ago for no apparent reason? Was God telling us something?

Obviously many changes have taken place at Emmaus congregation during the last one hundred years just like everywhere else. We have seen many changes in our facility, our customs, and our procedures.

The important thing to remember is that the basic teaching of our church, the church doctrine, is the same today as it was one hundred years ago. We still believe that the Bible is God’s Word, that the ten commandments show us our sin, that Jesus Christ our Savior suffered and died on the cross to wash away our sin, and that he will someday take us to be with him in heaven, and grant us eternal life.