Napoleon in Henry County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Parish School
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church
Photographed By Craig Doda, January 18, 2021
1. The Parish School Marker
Inscription.
The Parish School. Saint Paul's Lutheran Church. The congregation laid much emphasis upon the Christian instruction of its children. For that purpose a parish school was maintained for many years.
On August 18, 1887, it was decided to authorize the trustees to purchase one acre of land for a school site. Mr. Herman Westenfeld taught this school from 1887, when the school was built, to 1890. Mr. William Freytag taught the school from 1890 until 1915. When Mr. Freytag resigned because of diminishing strength, his son, William Freytag, Jr., of Detroit was called to teach the school.
In 1918 a change was made in the school system. From that time on the pastor took charge of the school by giving religious instruction during the months of May, June and July. Thus the regular parochial school was a thing of the past, but since the instruction, was now confined to religion very effective work could still be done.
At first the school work was done in the German language only, but in time it was found necessary to begin instruction in English also. In 1939 the first children were confirmed in English. German instruction was offered to those who desired it for a number of years but eventually it was discontinued and all the instruction was given in English only.
In 1940 when the Napoleon Public Schools extended their school term from 8 to 9 months it was necessary to make another change. The religious instruction was shortened from 12 weeks to 8 weeks. To atone for this loss of time a Sunday School was organized.
As time went on, we were in need of more Sunday School space and on April 25, 1956, it was voted to adopt the plans of the Parish Hall. The cornerstone of this new building was laid on October 14, 1956. The Parish Hall is 48 by 115 feet. The upper floor seats 480 for programs or 360 for receptions. This floor also has a church office, pastor's study, kitchen and store room. The lower floor has 12 Sunday School classrooms (or 2 large and medium size classrooms for summer school) and the restrooms. The approximate cost of the building was $115,000. The Parish Hall was dedicated on July 28, 1957.
The congregation laid much emphasis upon the Christian instruction of
its children. For that purpose a parish school was maintained for many
years.
On August 18, 1887, it was decided to authorize the trustees to purchase
one acre of land for a school site. Mr. Herman Westenfeld taught this school
from 1887, when the school was built, to 1890. Mr. William Freytag taught
the school from 1890 until 1915. When Mr. Freytag resigned because of
diminishing strength, his son, William Freytag, Jr., of Detroit was called to
teach the school.
In 1918 a change was made in the school system. From that time on the
pastor took charge of the school by giving religious instruction during the
months of May, June and July. Thus the regular parochial school was a thing
of the past, but since the instruction, was now confined to religion very
effective work could still be done.
At first the school work was done in the German language only, but in
time it was found necessary to begin instruction in English also. In 1939 the
first children were confirmed in English. German instruction was offered to
those who desired it for a number of years but eventually it was discontinued
and all the instruction was given in English only.
In 1940 when the Napoleon Public Schools extended their school term
from 8 to 9 months it was
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necessary to make another change. The religious
instruction was shortened from 12 weeks to 8 weeks. To atone for this loss of
time a Sunday School was organized.
As time went on, we were in need of more Sunday School space and on
April 25, 1956, it was voted to adopt the plans of the Parish Hall. The
cornerstone of this new building was laid on October 14, 1956. The Parish
Hall is 48 by 115 feet. The upper floor seats 480 for programs or 360 for
receptions. This floor also has a church office, pastor's study, kitchen and
store room. The lower floor has 12 Sunday School classrooms (or 2 large and
medium size classrooms for summer school) and the restrooms. The
approximate cost of the building was $115,000. The Parish Hall was
dedicated on July 28, 1957.
Location. 41° 24.392′ N, 84° 11.396′ W. Marker is in Napoleon, Ohio, in Henry County. Marker is on County Route 17 east of County Route Q, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Napoleon OH 43545, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
