A History of Crown of Life Evangelical Lutheran Church

Crown of Life started as a mission church of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and was partly subsidized by the mission offerings of the members of the Synod for many of her early years. Her history dates back to 1981. Interest was then expressed by Rich Cisler, a non-WELS member, to the Michigan District Mission Board of the WELS regarding possible attempts to form a congregation in the Marietta, Ohio-Parkersburg, West Virginia area. Mr. Cisler, whose ancestors were among the first settlers west of the Allegheny Mountains to worship God formally, advertised for and collected the names of about a dozen people interested in the new endeavor.

During the spring of 1983, a few Bible studies were held by Pastor Richard Starr of Shepherd of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbus. These appeared to end in failure. After a couple of meetings no one showed and neither party contacted the other.

It also became apparent that no one had contacted the District Mission Board or the Conference of Presidents (the body in charge of the WELS calling system), for on May 17, 1983, Richard A. Krause was assigned from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary to do exploratory mission work in the area.

He arrived in late July and took up residence with his wife, Sibylle, at 1313 17th Street in Vienna, just north of Parkersburg.

On October 2, he was ordained as a missionary pastor of the WELS. Trinity Episcopal Church in Parkersburg graciously loaned its downtown facility for the occasion.

Crown of Life was chosen as the name for the proposed new church. After spending initial weeks in attempted contacts with forwarded names, Pastor Krause set the first Bible study for Sunday, September 11. Nine, including the new pastor and his wife, were in attendance. Sunday studies continued for two months at the parsonage. Attendance remained low. In November studies were moved to the Holiday Inn in Parkersburg.

At that time, a mass media campaign was conducted. A group of four teachers and a vicar working with the founding missionary canvassed hundreds of homes in pre-selected locations throughout the Parkersburg and Marietta area. In conjunction with this campaign radio and newspaper advertising were heavily used. This drive pointed toward the initial worship service of the church on December 4, 1983, at which 32 were in attendance.

Crown of Life's Sunday School was also begun in conjunction with that service. In January of 1984 a Wednesday class was added. Then on April 1, 1984, thirteen adults were confirmed and to these were added six transferred members who then became charter members of the fledgling congregation. The Lord's Supper was first celebrated on this April confirmation Sunday.

The charter communicant members were Bob and Karen Edwards, Eric Bruhn, Ray and Julie Meier, Chuck and Peg Stephens, Kim Stephens, Tom and Su Hockenbrocht, Barb and Dick Long, Ron and Cheri Fuller, Andrea Pritzer, Rob Pritzer, Rich Cisler and Pastor and Sibylle Krause. Of that number, Chuck and Peg Stephens and Bob and Karen Edwards remain active in Crown of Life.

In September of that year a church council was appointed and began to function. The congregation continued to grow but also lost members to transfers and assorted problems. The nucleus that remained, although not large, had become strong. Worship attendance averaged in the low 20's for each of the three years that the church worshipped at the Holiday Inn.

In January 1985 mission status was granted by the General Board of Home Missions of the WELS. In effect, this meant a promise to support financially and to encourage further the establishment of a church in the area.

In February the fledgling congregation incorporated in the State of West Virginia and held its first annual voters meeting. This led to the drafting of a church constitution in March along with the institution of a Building Fund. Then in April the congregation was given permission to locate and attempt land acquisition.

The church then began to examine land sites in earnest. One of those considered was Trinity Chapel located in the heart of historic Marietta. This landmark church, then a part of Christ United Methodist Church through an earlier merger, was fast deteriorating.

To pursue the feasibility of purchasing such an aging facility, the services of Architect Robert Krause Jr., brother of the pastor, who lived in Beckley, West Virginia, were acquired. The extensive feasibility study and the scrutiny of the best building sites led the church, after prayerful consideration, to seek purchase of the chapel.

A bidding process was subsequently begun with the Trustees of Christ United Methodist Church in the spring of 1986. The parties finally agreed in May on a purchase price of $100,000 ($50,000 paid up front and $50,000 at 5% interest over the next 20 years). The matter then went to the respective churches, greater church bodies, and lawyers.

Crown of Life took occupancy of the historic red brick church on September 7 of that year. In the month of July, the church, now reincorporated in the State of Ohio, purchased a one-year-old home to serve as the parsonage. The house was located at 134 Brandy Drive, Reno, about four miles from the church. It was dedicated on September 28.

During the months of September and October, the church, at that time numbering only 36 souls, made a Herculean effort to clean, plaster, paint, scrub and spruce up the neglected worship facility. After hundreds of hours of volunteer labor by all members, the church was dedicated to the glory of the Triune God on October 26, 1986. An evening worship service saw 101 in attendance.

Earlier, On September 25, the General Board of Home Missions of the WELS granted planning authority and a building allocation to proceed with needed renovations that would later be completed by local contractors.

In the spring of 1987, a major evangelism campaign was planned to acquaint Marietta, the church's new home, with the congregation and her Christ-centered message. A team of canvassers, which included four teachers and one pastor in addition to congregational volunteers, made contact with over 4,000 homes in the immediate area. Hundreds of people received information on the church and her services. As back-up for the face-to-face meetings, advertising was also purchased on TV, radio and in local newspapers.

Initial renovation work by the members did not entail work on the deteriorating brick found on the exterior of the once-grand church. Thus the architect worked on complicated specifications for the exterior work of the facility. Bids were solicited and work was begun in mid-1987 by Ohio Valley Restoration of Davisville, West Virginia. This work dragged on into the late fall well past the proposed completion date.

The extensive work, which included among other things, tuckpointing, cleaning and sealing of the brick, replacement of stone window sills, exterior painting, replacement of lower windows, excavation and waterproofing of basement walls and new exterior doors, was finally completed in the spring of 1988. The total cost of the project was about $50,000.

During September 1987, under the direction of Jorg Bente, a master organ builder from Rotenberg, Germany, the aging pipe organ was cleaned, re-leathered and partially rebuilt. The instrument, built by Reuben Midmer and Sons of New York in 1919 exclusively for the Marietta church, had aged and deteriorated.

The pipes were removed, cleaned, some painted and others rebuilt by a contingent of congregational volunteers under the direction of our guest expert.

The instrument was first thoroughly cleaned. This meant the removal of all pipes, which were then washed both inside and out. Many of the smaller pipes were found to be in poor condition. Time was taken to resolder, shape and straighten all those which were damaged.

The large bellows was removed and completely re-leathered. The smaller stop bellows (14 in all) were extensively patched and refurbished.

Many small technical problems, including non-functioning pipes, stops and keys were repaired and put into good working order before the final tuning. Along with the tuning, all pipes were set for a balance and equalization of air pressure.

The final touch was the preparation and painting of all exposed pipes to bring them closer to the original color.

After more than 80 years of continuous use, our sanctuary, organ, God willing, will supply many more to our congregation.

The work that Bente performed with the assistance of members of Crown of Life took most of a month. For his efforts, the congregation paid him $1,500 and provided airplane tickets to the U. S. for he and his wife. In later years when regional organ tuners have worked on the instrument, they have said the rebuilding work could have cost as much as $50,000. To date, nothing the master craftsman repaired has undergone any further work.

A service of thanksgiving and rededication took place on November 15, 1987. A record crowd of 155 filled ed the sanctuary with praise to the Lord of the Church led by our newly restored pipe organ. Commemorative plaques were also placed at the front and rear of the church at that time. They stated the basic message:

Crown of Life

Evangelical Lutheran Church

(Wisconsin Synod)

In 1988 it was proposed that the last phase of construction which involved extensive interior renovations should begin. The architect met with scheduling problems and delay set in. However, it was felt that with the continuing congregational growth it might be best to delay this phase of construction anyway. That year did see new landscaping installed around the church and a new custom-built, aluminum cross erected on the top of the 85-foot steeple. Both were completed in time for the hosting of the Fall Ohio Pastors' Conference. This year also saw work done on the development of the choir, Sunday School and Vacation Bible school.

Continued growth was seen in 1989. While the interior renovations remained on hold, the congregational financial debt was reviewed. A committee composed of George Falcsik, Su Hockenbrocht, Barb Long and Jim McGoldrick was appointed. Still owed to the Church Extension Fund of the WELS for church and parsonage was a sum of $235,000. A plan to eliminate the debt by the year 2006 was developed. The idea was to raise $30,000 in two years (1990-91) above the operating budget and normal monthly debt payments. These monies were to be placed in long-term investments.

Over the course of the two years this goal was achieved and the monies at this point continue to grow. They were invested in various fiduciary vehicles of the WELS Church Extension Fund. In the late 1990’s the congregation decided to apply the balance in that fund, which then totaled more than $100,000 with interest, to the principal still outstanding on its loans. The result was a decrease of more than 50 percent in its monthly payments. The parsonage was declared debt-free, and the payment plan with the Methodist congregation remained in place to be retired in late 2006.

Internal and external growth marked 1990. A major review was made of the congregational workings by a study committee. This committee included Mike McQuillen, Dave Ruediger, George Falcsik, Jim McGoldrick and Bob Edwards. Their recommendations were implemented in the coming months. One of their major proposals was the addition of an official committee of elders and three new positions being added to the church council.

They also recommended that a building committee should be appointed to help bring our interior renovations to completion. This committee, composed of Bob Edwards, Mike Beardmore, Dr. Curtis Dehmlow, Ray Meier and Jim McGoldrick, began to meet in 1991. A new architect was acquired for the interior renovations and work again moved forward. A new committee was also formed for visitation evangelism and a men's fellowship group also began to meet during the course of the year.

In May 1991, the first Youth Confirmation Sunday took place. Susannah Dehmlow, Megan Hively, John Meier and Christina Trimble were examined and received communion after completing two years of catechetical instruction. A record Sunday morning attendance of 101 was recorded on the memorable day.

1992 brought a significant change to the leadership of our congregation. Bob Edwards, who had faithfully served as church president since the beginning of our church council, was replaced by Jim McGoldrick. The Lord has always blessed our church with strong and capable leaders. Other who have served as president of the congregation have include Curt Dehmlow and Fred Lemke. During the years, many of our men have served in various capacities on our church council and as elders. They have given strength and impetus to our growing congregation.

Among those who have served in church council positions during past years are Mike Beardmore, Darrell Bollier, Eric Bruhn, Matt Cady, Jim Covault, Dr. Curtis Dehmlow, Bob Edwards, Joe Ellis, Fred Engelhardt, George Falcsik, Glen Ford, Tom Hockenbrocht, Paul Immel, Hayes Kern, Joe Lambeth, Dr. Fred Lemke, Dick Long, John Ludtman, Brian Lueck, Jim McGoldrick, Mike McQuillen, Ray Meier, Phil Mueller, Zhenya Nyden, Rick Payne, Steve Riley, Pat Rodgers, Dave Ruediger, Pete Sampe, Chris Seih, Charles Stephens, Randy Thompson, and Chris Uppole.

1992 was also a year of construction. Our architect, Stephen Cassady of Marietta, considered and revamped earlier interior design drawings for our facility. These drawings were then approved by the congregation in late winter of 1991.

Phoenix Associates of Parkersburg was contracted in the spring of 1992 to complete the construction, Subcontractors included Sadler Electrical, Morrison Heating and Cooling and Carver Plumbing, all of Marietta. Work began in early June and was completed in November. During the later months of construction, worship services were held in the lower level.

Work included changes and improvements throughout the facility such as new heating and air units along with some new duct work, the construction of a new office complex downstairs along with an adjoining classroom, a new bathroom upstairs and women's room downstairs, renovations to the existing men's room and a new handicapped ramp on the lower level.

Upstairs, work also included a new nursery, the removal of all roller doors and the construction of solid walls, windows and doors. The supreme example of this is the new construction between the sanctuary and the fellowship area.

Other improvements and additions are a new fire alarm system, emergency and exit lighting and a new phone system. All surfaces in the building were either repainted or revarnished and all floors were either recarpeted or covered with new floor tile. The construction costs, which included outfitting many portions of the building with new furniture, totaled about $170,000. .

A celebration service of thanksgiving was held on November 15. Plans had been made by the Anniversary Committee appointed earlier in the year. Members of this committee included chairman Bob Edwards, Karen Edwards, Dr. Fred Lemke and Dr. Dawn Root, Tom and Su Hockenbrocht and Jim and Jane McGoldrick.

A record crowd of 170 sang in thanksgiving to God for his blessings to our church. Guest speaker was the Rev. Carl H. Mischke, president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. A fellowship meal was held following the service.

Since completion of the renovations, Sunday worship attendance has averaged in the 80's. Our Sunday School has continued to grow and at present six levels of instruction are offered for the children, along with a Bible study for the adults and a staffed nursery that operates for both the worship hour and the hour of Christian education.

Through the years, many members have faithfully taught in our Sunday School. Some of those have offered their talents and time to this important ministry to our children include: Carol Beardmore, Ken Cerney, Laura Covault, Julie Dennis, Karen and Bob Edwards, Daria Flowers, Vicki Ford, Jenifer Gaston, Su Hockenbrocht, Sibylle Krause, Deb Lambeth, Judy Lambert, Dawn Lemke, Jane McGoldrick, Brenda McQuillen, Juile Meier, Ron Nienhuis, Dave Ruediger, Cindy Sampe, Ramona Trimble and Robin Young.

At the end of December 1992, Pastor Krause received a divine call to serve Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Pewaukee, Wisconsin. After a number of weeks of deliberation, he announced on January 24" 1993, that the Lord had led him to accept the call and to leave Crown of Life.

February 21, 1993, which had been selected months earlier to be an historical service, a time to remember God's grace over 10 years for our congregation, also became the farewell service for Pastor Krause and his' family, which included children Elizabeth, Jacob, Lydia and Maria.

During the vacancy in 1993, Pastor Daniel Geischen served Crown of Life.

The congregation then called Pastor Daniel Leyrer of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Salem, Ohio. Pastor Leyrer began his ministry in June 1993. His family included wife Leah and daughters Erin, Lauren and Allison.

Pastor Leyrer served until June 1998 when he accepted a call to teach at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

During the vacancy from June 1998 to August 1999, the congregation was served in part by Vicar Michael Weigand, who had been assigned to Crown of Life before Pastor Leyrer accepted his new call. Vicar Weigand served under the Vicar in Missions program of the synod.

Vacancy pastors who shepherded both Vicar Weigand and Crown of Life were Pastor Paul Kuske, Pastor Robert Mueller and Pastor Tom Kraus. Other pastors from WELS congregations in Columbus also assisted by preaching on a number of Sundays.

At the completion of his year at Crown of Life, Vicar Weigand was assigned a second vicar year in Arizona to assist a pastor who held a synod missions position. He then completed his seminary studies and was assigned to Peace Lutheran Church in Holiday, Florida, in May 2000.

Pastor Mark Gabb was assigned to Crown of Life in May 1999 and began his ministry in August. He and his wife Angie had seen their family grow with the additions of daughters Margaret (Maggie) in 2000 and Hannah in 2003.

In early 2005, Pastor Gabb accepted a call to St Paul's Lutheran Church in Beverly Hills, FL.  The Gabbs left following a farewell service on April 15th.  The Crown of Life Voters opted to try for a seminary graduate assignment to fill the open call.  During the next several months, worship services continued under the direction of laymen in the church, as well as Columbus area pastor Darren Knoll.  Pastor Robert Mueller came back to Crown of Life once again to fill in as vacancy pastor; he stayed from May through July, feeling right at home.